His friend, Batya Gottlieb, is a member of the Four Mothers group, which is calling for Israel to withdraw from Lebanon. It was founded by mothers of soldiers serving in Lebanon and Batya Gottlieb too is worried about the future of her own son, Noam, who will get his call-up papers in two years time. We have to seek another way. Once the Israeli soldiers withdraw, then the Lebanese government will keep the guerrillas in check. The Four Mothers are getting increasing media coverage and their argument has been taken up by some prominent opposition politicians, like the Labour Knesset member, Yossi Beilin.
Israeli newspapers say that even the head of the Shin Bet secret service is in favour of withdrawal.
The Israeli government agrees that in theory withdrawal is a good thing - but only once it receives security guarantees from the Lebanese government. Uri Lubrani, Israel's government coordinator on the issue, says he believes Lebanon would be willing to agree to this. The problem, he argues, is Syria, Lebanon's political Big Brother. Syria, he says, is after a bigger prize - the Golan Heights, taken by Israel in 1967. Syria won't let Lebanon make peace with Israel until the Golan is handed back.