The cornerstone of a memorial to members of the predominantly-Christian South Lebanon Army was laid Sunday on the Israeli side of the "Good Fence" in Metula, near the mythical gate through which Israeli soldiers entered Lebanon. 650 members of the SLA were killed supporting the Israeli presence which ended in 2000. The first monument to them, near the southern Lebanese village of Marj Ayoun was blown up by Hezbollah after the secretive withdrawal ordered by then-prime minister Ehud Barak.
Deputy Chief-of-Staff Yair Golan of the Israel Defense Forces said there were three reasons for the Israeli memorial. "The first is to thank them and to say on behalf of the State of Israel, 'Thank you for everything you sacrificed for our safety and security.' The second reason is to be educated, because the security zone is becoming increasingly blurred from day to day, and the knowledge that we once sat across the border and had good relations with the residents of southern Lebanon cannot be taken for granted. The third reason is to learn that Jews and Arabs, from a relationship of equality and dignity, can live together, participate in each other's family events, and do so with friendship, friendship and great love."