The Israel-Lebanon maritime deal brokered by the United States might not be perfect, and might even represent an Israeli capitulation, but it also means that Lebanon has recognized the Jewish state.

That’s what Interim Prime Minister Yair Lapid wanted everyone to focus on as the controversial agreement was set to be signed.

“It is not every day that an enemy state recognizes the State of Israel, in a written agreement, in view of the entire international community,” said Lapid as his cabinet voted to approve the deal, which will see Israel cede part of its current economic waters to allow Lebanon to develop the natural gas field located there.

The agreement was scheduled to be signed by both sides at a UN base near the Israel-Lebanon border at 3pm on Thursday. Lebanese officials stressed ahead of time that they would not be meeting with or signing the agreement together with the Israeli delegation.

The two sides would not meet in person, blunting somewhat Lapid’s excitement over some kind of perceived rapprochement between the two countries.

There is also the fact that while the agreement is being signed by the Lebanese government, the country is in reality controlled by Iranian-terror proxy Hezbollah, which remains wholly committed to Israel’s destruction.

For more on this, see: Israel’s Devastating Capitulation to Hezbollah