Ex-Lebanese militiamen ponder future in Israel

By Danielle Haas

KIBBUTZ SHOMRAT, Israel (Reuters): The view from the former Lebanese militiaman's new apartment in northern Israel is a constant reminder of what he has lost.

From the sixth floor, the ex-fighter in the now-defunct, Israeli-allied South Lebanon Army (SLA) militia can see the hills of the native land he fled a year ago after Israel ended its 22- year occupation and withdrew from a border buffer zone.

"It is sad for me. But at least I managed to get out," he said, declining to be identified for fear of retribution from Israeli Arabs or Palestinians who view SLA men as traitors.

Now working in a furniture factory in Kibbutz Shomrat, he is one of 3,900 former SLA men and their families out of an original 6,500 who are still in Israel 12 months after their dramatic flight across the border.

The speed of Israel's exit in May after two decades of occupation was a shock to many who left with nothing more than the clothes they wore as they scrambled to escape Lebanese Hizbollah guerrillas who now patrol their fields and villages.

The Iranian-backed group fought strenuously to oust the Israeli army from a 15 kilometer deep "security zone" set up by Israel with the declared aim of protecting northern villages and towns from attacks by guerrillas.

"It has taken time to settle down and we miss our families that are still there," said the former militiaman. "Hizbollah searches and harasses them. If I went back, they would kill me."

Around 1,600 SLA men have returned to Lebanon. It has arrested around 3,000 SLA members and people it accused of dealing with Israel during the occupation. They are being tried by a military court that has so far meted out short sentences.

The SLA Commander-in-Chief, Gen. Antoine Lahd, criticized by many of his men for not honoring his vow to stay with his troops and die defending their land rather than flee into exile, now lives in a Tel Aviv hotel. His family has lived in France for years.

Some of the ex-fighters and their families who have left Israel have gone to countries that include Australia and Germany.

The rest remain in Israel out of choice or because they have yet to be accepted by foreign governments. Israel has provided housing for its former allies and some of the men receive a monthly stipend from the Jewish state.

Many have found work as manual laborers, while wives and daughters often work as cooks and cleaners.

But adjustment can be difficult. One SLA veteran, who spent 14 years fighting beside Israeli soldiers, said a back problem means that he is still unemployed and spends his days drinking coffee, smoking and learning Hebrew.

The lightning Israeli withdrawal left some members of the militia feeling bitter over what they said was a lack of warning before the pullout and poor preparation for their exodus.

Many of those who streamed across the border left behind family, friends and belongings.

The Lebanese at Kibbutz Shomrat said things have improved under Prime Minister Ariel Sharon who took office in March after his election victory over Ehud Barak, who ordered the withdrawal.

"Sharon understands the Arabs," said one young Lebanese man, referring to the former defense chief and architect of Israel's 1982 invasion of Lebanon.

"Under Barak we were treated like refugees. Now Israel is more sympathetic and have given us permanent residency."

Three staff at Shomrat, as well as a member of Israel's Shin Bet security service stationed there, help the Lebanese families at the kibbutz with their needs.

"One of most important things for them is that we just listen to them," said Rut Be'eri, one of the Shomrat team.

Other Lebanese resent the way they say Israel has betrayed them.

"We served in their army and we lost everything. They are responsible for what has happened and should compensate. They need to get rid of Hizbollah and Syria. The way we were forced to leave means they think we are afraid," one said.

For another former militiaman, separated on the day of his flight from his wife and eight children, the only concern is to be reunited with them.

"That is all I want," he said, looking at photos taken in happier times. He manages to speak by telephone to his spouse once a month, but his children have told him they would rather not talk to him any more because it is too dangerous for them.

Despite close proximity to their families in Lebanon, many SLA members still in Israel say they will be able to return home only under the protection of foreign citizenship from countries such as Australia and Canada.

"If I have one foot in Australia, I have one foot in Lebanon. We cannot do anything from Israel," said one.

But another ex-fighter said he intends to remain in Israel and does not mind if his son grows up speaking Hebrew and feeling Israeli.

"I have no problem with that. Our blood has been mixed with Israel's for 25 years," he said.