Canada's contributions to Middle East peacekeeping in 1978 were impressive, with four separate missions running simultaneously. Other missions were UNEFME, UNTSO and UNDOF.

UN Mandate

Following the escalation of violence along the Israeli-Lebanese border, culminating in an Israeli invasion into Lebanon on 14 Mar 1978, UNIFIL was established to secure the withdrawal of the Israeli Forces, to restore peace and security, and return the area to the control of the Lebanese government.

Eight nations sent infantry forces to UNIFIL, and were assigned sectors according to their religious and political outlook - Iranian soldiers overlooked a region inhabited by Shia Muslims, for example, while Irish and French soldiers were assigned predominantly Christian areas.

Canadian Military Involvement

Canadan personnel were mainly from signals units. The first signallers came from the nearby UNEFME mission. Since the signallers were heavily involved in that mission, the Canadian government only made a six-month commitment to UNIFIL.

UNEFME Signal Troop
1st Canadian Signal Regiment

It looked for a time as if the force would at least succeed in stabilizing southern Lebanon so that economic life could return to normal. But the cycle of violence between Israel and the PLO continued. In October 1978, having set up the necessary communications networks, and faced with the prospect of never-ending conflict, the Canadian government decided not to renew its commitment. Peacekeepers have long found that it takes two sides to make peace, but only one to make war. When Israel launched another major offensive in 1982, UNIFIL could do no more than stand aside. It was then the only peacekeeping operation that lacked Canadian participation.1

Insignia

Ninety days service with the mission between 19 Mar 1978 and 6 Oct 1978 entitled a Canadian serviceman to the UNIFIL Medal. The ribbon consisted of three stripes: flanked by two 9mm UN blue stripes, an 11mm bright green stripe; each separated by 3 1mm stripes of white, red and white.

There were 117 awards of the medal to Canadians.

Notes

Marteinson, John. We Stand on Guard: An Illustrated History of the Canadian Army (Ovale Publications, Montreal, PQ, 1992) ISBN 2894290438 p.483

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