"As these events were unfolding, we continued to receive what appeared to be credible reports from Israel that Begin, who believed in the biblical maxim or "an eye for an eye," and his defense minister, Ariel Sharon, a bellicose man who seemed to be chomping at the bit to start a war, were preparing for a full-scale invasion of Lebanon against the PLO, waiting only for the slightest provocation to launch it....
"I emphasized my personal commitment and that of the United States to the support of Israel. I supported its right to defend itself against attack, but appealed for Israel not to go on the offensive...
"Israel's response was, in effect: Mind your own business."
Ronald Reagan, from his autobiography, An American Life
In the end...the Israelis were correct to invade. The PLO nd other terrorist groups were attacking Israel proper and then retreating back across the border as well as supplying terrorists inside Israel with arms from Syria and Iran through Lebanon.
Reagan was wrong to put our troops in there. But the World was a different place at the time and I understand his rationale. Eitherway...
When I was in the Corps I was given a nickname "Lil'Beirut". The name was a direct reference to the actions of a Marine captain who stopped a line of advancing Israeli tanks intent on moving into Beirut in pursuit of PLO terrorists.
He stood at a checkpoint approach and ordered the oncoming Israeli tanks to stop...they did. After some heated words...the Israelis railed they were coming through....at which point the Marine drew his .45 pistol and squared up on the Hebrew tanks...
Long story short...the Israelis turned around.
LOL....Semper Fi!
;o)