The IDF Liaison Unit maintains contact between the
IDF, UN and other foreign forces
operating under various security arrangements in the region. These contacts
include liaison between the IDF and the MFO (Multi-National Force and
Observers) in the Sinai, UNDOF on the Golan Heights, UNIFIL in South Lebanon, and UNTSO
in Jerusalem. The Unit has
recently been charged with contacts with the Jordanian Military Liaison
Unit. In addition, the Head of the IDF Liaison Unit serves as Head of
the Israeli delegation to the Monitoring Group, established after the
"Grapes of Wrath" operation in southern Lebanon, 26 April 1996.
The Unit also constitutes a bridge between these foreign
forces, the IDF and Israel Government authorities, while maintaining
contact between them, in order to assist, escort and supervise the fulfillment
of their tasks according to the force mandate.The Unit is responsible
for advising the IDF General Staff, the regional commanders, IDF units,
and even governmental authorities on matters concerning the foreign
forces. Other important aspects of the Unit's mission are to particpate
in the negotiations of cease-fire agreements and delineation of lines,
as well as matters concerning locating soldiers missing in action and
prisoner exchanges. The Unit also informs foreign forces about the IDF
and its missions and educates IDF soldiers about the mandate of its
international forces.
UNTSO
UNTSO, the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization,
located in the Government House in Jerusalem, was established in 1948
to separate the forces following the War
of Independence and its authority was enlarged in the Cease Fire
Agreements of 1949. UNTSO today maintains positions in Lebanon within UNIFIL's territory (Observation
Group Lebanon, OGL) as well as on the Golan Heights and in the Sinai.
The IDF Liaison Unit continues to liaise with and offer services to
UNTSO.
UNDOF
UNDOF, the United
Nations Disengagement Observer Force was established in 1974 to supervise
the separation and disengagement of Israeli and Syrian forces on the
Golan Heights. The Force's mandate is renewed every 6 months by the
UN Security Council in accordance
with Israel and Syria.
The force is composed of 1300 soldiers divided into two battalions (Austrian
and Polish) one logistic unit (Canadian) and a transportation company
(Japan). Teams from the UNTSO are deployed in observation posts and
are responsible for carrying out regular inspections of troops on the
Golan Heights. The force's HQ is based in Damascus. The IDF Liaison
Unit maintains continuous contact with UNDOF and accompanies it on various
missions. The Kuneitra Station which serves as a crossing point between
Israel and Syria is also controlled by the IDF Liaison Unit.
UNIFIL
UNIFIL, the
United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon was established following Operation Litani in 1978 (without Israel's
consent). The force's mandate is renewed every 6 months in accordance
with the Lebanese government and the UN Security Council. The force
which consists of 4500 soldiers from 9 nations, and is composed of 6
infantry battalions, is deployed in southern Lebanon. The HQ's is based
in Naqura. UNTSO military observers are deployed in observation posts
along the border between Israel and Lebanon. The Liaison Unit maintains
continuous direct contact with UNIFIL HQ to handle problems in the Security
Zone in southern Lebanon, even though there are no agreements between
UNIFIL and Israel. The Unit is responsible for the crossing of UNIFIL
personnel at the Rosh Haniqra and Metula crossing points.
The MFO
The MFO, Multinational Force and Observers was founded
in 1981, with the objective of supervising the military limitations
established by the Peace Treaty
with Egypt. A total of 2012 people from 11 different countries make
up the MFO force, whose HQ is located in El Gorah. The force is deployed
in the Sinai peninsula along the international border, from Rafah in
the north to Sharm El-Sheik in the south. The Liaison Unit maintains
a continuous and direct communication (including meetings, direct phone
and fax lines) with the MFO members both in the Sinai and in Tel Aviv.
The Liaison Units' objectives in regards to the MFO
include representing the IDF and the Israel defense establishment in
all issues related to operations, logistics, administration and budget
of the MFO. Responsibilities also include the processing of reports
and requests from the MFO and passing them through to the relevant authorities
within the IDF, the defense establishment and other organizations in
order to obtain answers to the requests. Cooperation in the administrative
field with the MFO and mediation between the force and relevant military
and civilian organizations are included, as well, within the framework
of the cooperation between the Unit and the force.The Liaison Unit also
deals with violations of the Peace Treaty and organizes forums in order
to tend to these problems.
Egyptian Laison Agency With International
Organizations (LAWIO)
The HQ of the IDF Liaison Unit to Foreign Forces maintains
direct contact with the Egyptian liaison system (LAWIO) - Liaison Agency
with International Organizations, both on the professional and the personal
levels. The IDF Liaison Unit establishes direct relations with its Egyptian
counterpart by meetings and other means of communication. The Unit's
branches in Rafah and Taba keep up their contact with the Liaison officers
along the Egyptian - Israeli border. Their responsibilities include
observing the implementation of the military appendix of the Peace Treaty,
discussions regarding ongoing matters, violations, and the improvement
of the mutual cooperation on the field level, in order to minimize the
activities that could potentially endanger the security on both sides.
Contacts With The Jordanian Armed
Forces
The HQ of the IDF Liaison Unit to Foreign Forces is
also in contact with the liaison apparatus of the Jordanian Army. Since
October 1994, when the Peace Treaty
between Israel and Jordan was signed, the relations between the
two armies has significantly increased, both on the professional and
the personal levels. The IDF Liaison Unit maintains direct relations
with its Jordanian counterpart through meetings and other means of communication.
The contact is established with the Jordanian Army liaison officers
at all crossing points along the Israeli-Jordanian border by the main
branch of the Unit in Jerusalem and the sub-branches in the Arava, Allenby
and the Jordan River crossing. Their objectives are to observe the implementation
of the military appendix of the Peace Treaty, to meet and discuss ongoing
matters, and to improve the mutual cooperation on the field level in
order to minimize the activities that could potentially endanger the
security on both sides. In addition, the Unit promotes, together with
its Jordanian colleagues the collaboration between the two armies, by
conducting professional meetings of mutual interest, both in Israel
and in Jordan.
The Monitoring Group For The Application
of the " Grapes of Wrath" Understandings
In addition, CO IDF Liaison Unit serves as the Head
of the Israeli delegation to the Monitoring Group, established following
the "Grapes of Wrath" operation, in order to monitor the application
of the understanding achieved between Israel
and Lebanon on April 26th,1996. The Monitoring Group consists of
delegates headed by military reperesentatives of the five countries:
the United States, France, Syria Lebanon and Israel. The Monitoring
Group has a chair and a Co-chair, whose responsibilities are undertaken
by the United States and France alternately. Each Chair serves for five
months. The Chair of the Monitoring Group receives complaints in writing
from Lebanon and Israel and circulates them among the members of the
group. He then calls for meetings and conducts them at UNIFIL headquarters
in Naqura.