Walid Salem lays bear the rhetoric on both sides of the Israel–Lebanon war, claiming that despite the confusion and emotion built up over decades of conflict, it is possible to find a solution for peace. In Salem‘s opinion, Israel must withdraw from the Shebaa Farms and release its Lebanese prisoners, and Hezbollah must recognize Israel, disarm and integrate into the Lebanese army, and promise to uphold a lasting peace on its borders with Israel. The most important way to sort through all of the rhetoric and propaganda on both sides, Salem points out, is to view your enemy as human. Only then can the healing necessary for peace take place.
Walid Salem is the director of Panorama, the Centre for the Dissemination of Democracy and Community Development, East Jerusalem office.
THERE IS AN IMMENSE AMOUNT OF RHETORIC ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CURRENT WAR BETWEEN ISRAEL AND LEBANON. The rhetoric clouds the truth, and makes it difficult to consider peace in the region as even possible. But once we are able to sort through the propaganda and pick out what is true, solutions can be found and the war can end.
ISRAELI RHETORIC
Israel withdrew completely from Lebanon to UN approved international borders, and then, suddenly, Lebanon attacked. What else could Israel possibly believe but that, the Lebanese are not peaceful; they want nothing but the destruction of Israel. Islam is a terrorist religion incapable of peace.
The current war began when Lebanon kidnapped two Israeli soldiers, and began rocket attacks on Northern Israel. Israel responded within its right to defend itself. This war is a continuation of Israel’s Independence war. They are fighting for their right to exist.
Israel is still occupying the Shebaa Farms but this should be none of Lebanon’s concern. The Shebaa Farms were originally Syrian territory, not Lebanese. And Israel does still have Lebanese prisoners in its custody, but these prisoners were convicted of crimes and are serving their sentences. The Shebaa farms and the release of prisoners are not the real reasons for Hezbollah’s attack on Israel.
Hezbollah attacked because it is an Iranian and Syrian proxy. Many Lebanese agree on this, including Walid Junblat who said that this is an Iranian-Syrian war being fought on Lebanese soil.
LEBANESE RHETORIC
Israel did formally withdraw from Lebanon, but its military jets continued to make violations in Lebanese airspace on a daily basis. Israel also has dozens of secret service working within our borders. They have collaborated in assassinations like that of Ahmad Jibril last year.
Israel refused to give the Lebanese government maps of mines that were left in Southern Lebanon after the war. Many Lebanese people were killed trying to remove them.
And how can Israel call for the implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1559 while they refuse to follow through with resolution 425 requiring Israeli withdrawal from all Lebanese territories, and the release of all Lebanese prisoners. Lebanon will only follow through with resolution 1559 if Israel leaves the Shebaa Farms and returns Lebanese prisoners. Then Lebanon will deal with disarming Hezbollah in its own way, not by forcing them to give up their weapons, which would create a civil war, but by integrating Hezbollah’s forces into the Lebanese army.
Hezbollah is no Iranian proxy. It is the largest social and political power within Lebanon, representing 40 percent of Lebanese votes.
And what about UN resolution 194 calling for the right of return of all Palestinian refugees, including those in Lebanon? Lebanon has suffered greatly from the massive influx of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees that Israel forced out. This is Israel’s problem to resolve, not Lebanon’s.
As to the Shebaa Farms, all people in Lebanon agree that it is part of Lebanese territory. An agreement was passed in Lebanese government that the Shebaa Farms should be returned to Lebanon immediately. Lebanon has a right to its territory and should be allowed to negotiate with Syria on how to divide up the land. Israel desires to always have a control point within Arab territory. It kept Taba from Egypt, rented Jordanian lands for Israeli farmers for years, and controlled the transfer of goods into the Gaza strip through the Keren Shalom crossing point. Lebanon refuses to allow Israel to control its territory with the Shebaa Farms.
The Israeli response to the kidnapping of its soldiers was completely disproportionate to the Lebanese attack. Israel has killed hundreds of Lebanese civilians, all for two soldiers. Israel desires to destroy Lebanon entirely.
While some say that Hezbollah is an Iranian-Syrian proxy, many are also claiming that Israel is an American proxy. Zahava Golo’an from Meretz made this claim: Israel is attempting to settle an American account with Iran and Syria through this war, and is acting with complete American backing.
SEPARATING FACTS FROM RHETORIC
Amidst the confusion and emotion of both sides it is possible to find the truth. It is buried beneath decades of conflict, and centuries of hatred. But if we are careful enough, we can understand clearly and precisely the interests of each side, and therefore learn how to come to a viable solution.
We must look at our enemies as human beings, beyond rhetoric and ideologies. Doing so, peace can be accomplished.
THE SOLUTION FOR THE LEBANESE
First and foremost, Hezbollah must recognize Israel. They must see the humanity in the other side, understand that the Israelis have the same equal human rights as the Lebanese, and recognize Israel’s right to exist. Such recognition can be adopted directly or de facto after the fighting has ended. Hezbollah must then accept within Lebanese national dialogue to stop attacking Israel (both its army and its civilians), to promise to fulfill a permanent peace on its borders with Israel, and to integrate its forces into the Lebanese army. Hezbollah must also make a commitment to respecting the democratic method, and allow free and open elections, instead of bullying the other political parties within the system, and making unilateral decisions.
THE SOLUTION FOR THE ISRAELIS
Israel must release Lebanese prisoners and withdraw from the Shebaa Farms. And Israel must learn from this conflict how to deal with other Arab nations. Instead of continuing occupation it must attempt to keep control from the outside. Occupation of Arab lands in order to make peace only delays future problems, allowing them to build and erupt again in more complicated ways. The only solution is to listen to Arab demands and understand them as human.
CONTINUATION OF THE WAR
Were the war to continue, it would create a crisis within the region that could last for decades.
Israel is incapable of beating Hezbollah, and Hezbollah is incapable of beating Israel. It is a senseless, useless, absurd war.
The time has come to stop fighting, and start listening.
Published by:
Arad (an Israeli)
date: 03 | 08 | 2006
time: 7:16 am
Permanent Link
A very informative read. I got to learn a lot about the Lebanese position. Let me add some points for the Israeli position:
1. Lebanon claims that Israel has hostile intentions towards it, wanting to occupy it. What gives you that impression? Has any Israeli ever stated that they want a piece of Lebanon? We were in Lebanon for 22 years, and not one Israeli settlement was built there. No Israeli even tried it, as opposed to places where Israelis do claim to have rights, such as the West Bank. Does that seem like the kind of behavior of someone with conquering intentions?
2. The only reason for any Israeli to invade Lebanon is the protection of our citizens in the north. In the seventies, Lebanon had civil war and could not be expected to take responsibility for stopping the terrorism of PLO, so we had to establish a security zone to defend ourselves. In 1982 we kicked the PLO out, but got Hezbollah instead, and had to keep holding the security zone. If it wasn’t for Hezbollah, we would have pulled out in 1983. In other words, because of Hezbollah, we remained in your country for 17 years. In the meantime, Lebanon stabilized, and I and other Israelis believed that we should go out and let it have full sovereignty over its land. We were also hoping that you would take responsibility and secure our borders. But what did you do after we pulled out? Instead of condemning Hezbollah for keeping Israel in your country for so long, you hail them as liberators. Liberators?? What in God’s name gives you the idea that Israel would be interested in staying in Lebanon, if not BECAUSE of Hezbollah? Give us one other reason.
3. Hezbollah has stated many times that its intent is to destroy Israel, and it keeps on carrying terrorist activities against us. Yet, you harbor it. As long as this is the case, Israel needs to defend itself, and has every right to spy on Hezbollah, by flights, informer rings, etc. Any rational man would agree that in such a case, the terrorist group should first be disarmed, and only later the spying should cease.
4. You say that no country opens war because of two hostages. That would be a valid claim if it was just one incident. But Hezbollah is trying to kidnap people all the time, as well as shooting rockets on our cities and attacking our soldiers. In other words, the people at our northern border are living in constant fear, and you refuse to take responsibility for it. This IS a just cause to open war. A country has an obligation to defend its citizens.
5. Israel complied with UN resolution 1559, and withdrew to the line determined by the UN. If you have reservations about this line, you should do what any civilized country does in such cases: go to the UN, and state your claim. If the UN decides it made a mistake, believe me, Israel would agree to withdraw. After all, the Sheba farms are meaningless to us. No Israeli lives there, and nothing is being grown there. We would rather give it to you than to the Syrians. But we would not give it to you just because you decided it belongs to you. No country in the world would. Would you?
6. As far as I understand, there are 3 Lebanese prisoners in Israel. They are terrorists who entered Israel in order to kill civilians, and were sentenced for it. Is this what you are? A country that sends people to commit terrorist acts against other countries, and then kidnaps hostages in order to release them? How do you think that makes you look in our eyes?
7. You say that we always need to keep Arab lands in our hands. That is laughable. Israel never showed any intent on occupying Arab lands. All we want is our little promised land, and we recognize that we have to compromise on that as well. We occupied Arab lands after they attacked us, and gave them back once they were willing to make peace. However, there were some tiny differences over certain small territories, such as Taba, where the borderline was not certain. So we quibbled about it for a while, and solved it in the conventional diplomatic ways. That is a normal thing between neighboring countries, but you blow it up into a big thing, just so you can keep your myth about Israel the conqueror.
8. True, there are Palestinian refugees in your country. I agree that my country doesn’t do enough to solve this problem. But even if it did, it would take many years to find a solution. Israel cannot take millions of Palestinians into its borders. That’s suicide. So don’t get your problem mixed up with the Palestinian problem. Let’s solve our problem first. You can live in peace and prosperity. All we ask is that you let us do the same.
Published by:
Jay Draiman
date: 25 | 02 | 2008
time: 9:50 pm
Permanent Link
Israel has the right and obligation to defend its citizens
It is a known fact that any country if attacked, its citizens kidnapped, rocket bombardment on a daily basis.
Has the right and obligation to defend its citizens.
It is sad that innocent civilians are hurt, but that is the cost of war and conflict.
Any government and its citizen who do not resist terrorism and let terrorist organization entrench themselves in their country and utilize those countries as bases of armed terrorism against a neighboring country. Eventually pays the price for permitting such actions.
If you gave the Arab population a vote in Israel and the west bank and Jerusalem the option to vote freely and without intimidation, you would find out, that they would rather be living under Israel’s government. They derive more stability more benefits, pensions, welfare, etc.
If the United States or any other government were to be attacked from across the border on a daily basis, have its citizens kidnapped, rockets launched at them on a daily basis, the citizens would demand that immediate military action be initiated with no holes barred, collateral damage or not. That is the fact of life.
Terrorist and those who support them do not know what peace is, they thrive on violence. That is the only way they control the masses. Any negotiations or compromise only strengthen those terrorist organizations. When a poison strikes the human body, the only way to address it, is to remove it and destroy it completely.
That is the way the terrorist organizations should be treated.
As quoted in a statement “the only time of a chance for peace is, when the Arab mother would love her children more than she hates the Israelis.
The bi mistake is that people are missing the economic benefits in Israel and its neighbors. That is if there was a true peace, you take the Israeli Technology and know how, add to it the Arab labor and natural resources – and you have an economic prosperity beyond your widest dreams.
Jay Draiman
READER COMMENTS
After Israeli withdrawal from Gaza there was no single Israeli attack on Gaza. Gazans were shooting rockets to Israeli cities and farms every single day. Then they attacked Israeli army post on a sovereign Israeli territory and killed soldiers. Now Palestinians keep firing those rockets, Palestinian sniper shoot a farmer working on the field in Israel. Every country in the world will defend itself if attacked – and so does Israel. If Palestinians want peace – just stop firing at your neighbors. It seems, though, that that don’t want peace. They should blame themselves for all their troubles.
Without Israel providing a balance in the Middle East the cost of gas would be out of sight. Notice when you give “democracy” to “Palestinians” they vote in Hamas who are terrorists. Israel has no desire for war, but when faced with anti-Semitic violence they will defend and if necessary go on the offense. They will not negotiate with terrorists and those who take their soldiers and demand ransom like prisoner exchanges will pay the price. If only we had a president like Olmert, Sharon, Rabin etc. You should thank G-d that Israel is there and that it protects itself. You should thank G-d that you are not in the Middle East having to truly deal with these matters. Our consequences are inflated gasoline prices, but overall we are safe. Hezbollah and Hamas are terrorist organizations and anyone who doesn’t realize this is truly delusional.
Israel has tried to appease the Palestinians in Gaza. They have forced their own Jewish settlers out of their own homes, kicking and screaming, with Israeli soldiers ordered to assist in this. And were the Palestinians and Arabs from other countries happy? No. It doesn’t matter what Israel does to try to get along with their Arab neighbors, it is never enough. In the Arab’s mosques, hatred toward Jews is preached. I do not blame Israel for defending their national borders and for doing whatever it feels it needs to do to get its soldiers back. I am for peace, but not at any cost. Sometimes war is justified.
I abhor violence and seek, always, some sane path to peace; however, a real peace does not appear to be possible. I defend the USA’s involvement in this conflict because Israel has shown itself to be (with some exceptions) a true friend and ally. It would appear that we need to look at the situation in personal terms. I believe that any one of us would defend ourselves against any attack from a neighbor who has refused our right to exist. That is and has been the state of affairs for the country of Israel since its inception. The nation of Israel was established long before the twentieth century and the Arab nations surrounding it have been consistent in their refusal to recognize Israel’s legitimacy (with few exceptions). Americans are scared to death because of one attack on our sovereign soil but fail to recognize the fear that Israelis have lived with daily for half a century. No Israeli mother is ever assured that her children will return home from school, a husband from the market, a sister and her family from a vacation to the seashore. Several olive branches have been offered by Israel to various regimes in the Middle East and nearly all of those nations have slapped the hand of the Israelis who have extended these offers by consistently refusing to recognize Israel’s right to exist. Come on! The Jewish nation exists and no other country has the right to refuse its legitimacy. Sometimes, when a surgeon opens up a person with cancer, s/he must remove some healthy tissue because it is so inextricably intertwined with the diseased tissue. That is the sad state of affairs in the Middle East. The innocent are punished, maimed, injured, and killed along with the guilty. The innocent are used as shields by the guilty-the terrorists. We have lost our way, humans have, and I am unsure that we will ever be able to set things right.
In response to anonymous message (Sent Jul 13, 2006 5:09:29 PM) to the present Middle East crisis.
[Quote]The United Nations set up Israel to lose in 1948. They gave them a narrow indefensible strip of land. They did not protect them when it was apparent that the Arab nations would attack. But Israel would not roll over and die; they fought and won while the UN looked the other way. [UN quote] Israel came into very existence due to 1948 UN resolution. Criticizing this very act of UN is kind of strange thinking? It’s like saying that the occupation of complete territory was not allowed in wholesome manner. Hmm!!
[Quote]Just the other day 14 of 15 Security Council members think Israel should not defend itself from attack and wanted to condemn it. Only the United States veto stopped the motion from passing. [UN quote] In a civilized world, ‘veto’ is total negation of democratic norms. It’s strange that USA is contradicting itself. ‘Veto’ means, if you don’t agree with me, I am going to make you agree through force. Is this the way the civilized nation resolve their differences? Then, in the same breath, the author is blaming UN for being impotent. It’s these singular actions that have made UN impotent, not else.
[Quote]
Shall a people’s 4000-year birth right to a region be declared null and void? Just because part of the inhabitants of a region created Islam after Judaism and others were already established does not give them the right to stamp out all other religions and declare their adherents infidels and worthy only of death. That thinking makes Islam itself a terrorist ideology. [UN quote] Hmm!! Using religions to massacre whole nation of inhabitants are not considered convincing arguments, at all. If the ‘historic birth right’ is considered a legitimate argument, then one may wonder how would present day Americans would justify their existence against the claims of red Indians? This is same as legitimizing Saddam’s attack on Kuwait because of it’s its pre WW-I geographical boundaries.
[Quote]
But war and conquest is used for that very purpose. That’s why Catholicism and Spanish is practiced and spoken in South America now instead of worshiping the Aztec and Inca Emperor’s and the old languages. That’s why various Christian religions and English is practiced and spoken by the North American tribes instead of worship to the Indian nature spirits and the dozens of old native languages.[un quote]
Oh! I am really amazed to read such line of thinking. Is this a rationalistic script or a war mongering religious fantasy in these lines justifying modern crusades? Author must reflect on himself as why is he trying to use a religious excuse for the extermination of other nations. Is this the way how ‘west’ projects itself among the civilized world?? I don’t think so.
[Quote]
The old and weak bow to the new and stronger ideology’s. The old and the new are not always the bad and good or vice versa. The weak and strong are not always the bad and good either or vice versa. Power makes right, always has and always will. [UN quote] Ah! again the legs of civilized world has be crippled under the excuse of ‘power makes right’ thing. Are their no moral ethics to abide by or to judge by? I never imagined how such views can ever exist in this part of the world.
[Quote]
The UN should continue to schedule power lunches at the best NY city restaurants and watch Israel struggle, watch Darfur struggle, watch everything and do nothing. That’s what they are good at. [UN quote]
Without nations UN is nothing. If ‘veto’ is the way, why blame UN for it?
[Quote]
Let the wars begin. Lots of participants, some with veto powers to insure it, and many watchers we can’t disappoint. Damn few peacemakers with the balls to do anything to stop it. [UN quote] No, we must not let the war begin, at all. We are humans and we must learn through our history of evolution. We must resolve our differences through all means but not war. War is no solution. Let the justice prevail, may it go against the powerful. Supporting the aggressor is like moral bankruptcy in our very existence. Let all people be treated equally.
Ever wonder why Al Qaeda has never sent “fighters” to Palestine to support the “Palestinian struggle” even though they claimed that was part of their reason for the 9/11 attacks (remember the Palestinians handing out candy and dancing in the streets when they got word of the 9/11 attacks on the U.S.)? Al Qaeda preaches about supporting the “Palestinian Struggle”, and has even used it as a means to justify and gain support for its various terror campaigns. But don’t give them too much credit, they would “never” go and fight in Palestine. Do you know why? Because Israel’s policy to deal with terrorist doesn’t take a “weak” or “soft” approach to dealing with terrorist the way the U.S. and other “western” countries deal with terrorist. Al Qaeda knows this and would suffer heavy embarrassing losses that would hurt their “recruitment”. You see, we (the western countries like France, U.S., U.K., etc.) have to deal with unconventional warfare with a conventional approach. Some even argue that, “this is what separates us from the animals”. But wake up ladies and gentlemen! We are dealing with animals! The only thing they respect is power! So quit “kissing’ every terrorist behind” like Guantanamo and the Saddam Hussein trial (joke). And deal with them swiftly and severely. Last month Insurgents kidnapped 2 U.S. soldiers and they brutally tortured and beheaded them in a way that is unimaginable! What was the U.S. response? We searched for them by knocking on doors making sure we didn’t step on a garden flower or knock too loud to wake up the neighbors! Israel had two soldiers kidnapped and within 4 hours they responded quickly and severely. Regardless of the ones opinion on the success and outcome, Israel still sent a clear message to deter any such future acts. The U.S. response was predictable and insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan know that the U.S. “plays by the rules”. I say, have”rogue” black ops secretly funded organization kidnap Bin Laden’s mother or Sahrawi’s close family members in Saudi or wherever they may be and videotape her or them pleading for their lives on Al-jazeera or ANN the same way they do innocent people in Iraq just before they viciously behead them on tape. I guarantee you that Bin Laden would come out of hiding and turn himself in very quickly if he witnessed his mother on videotape pleading for her life. Oh, I am sorry… Did I scare you? Anyway, I almost forgot that we don’t have the courage to deal with terrorist that way. Zarqawi’s wife (living in France) went on French television praising her husbands “martyrdom” and called for insurgents in Iraq to continue the fighting just days after Zarqawi’s death! But let’s get back to Israel— As I mentioned, Al Qaeda will never show up in Palestine. And if they do, it will be short-lived. Israel and its people are the only country that is willing to deal with terrorist quickly and severely. Al Qaeda knows that 100%. In the mean time let us create another catch phrase for 2006, “collective punishment” and “Disproportionate punishment”. We won’t accomplish anything against the terrorist but we could make “Time Magazines” phrase of the year! Wow! As long as we (the west) are not willing to deal unconventionally, quickly, and severely with terrorist, they will always take advantage and exploit our weakness!
Who cares about a race horse? Put that energy and time into the telling of the truth about what is happening in the Middle East. The American people need to wake up and support Israel. Israel has the right to defend its borders and people. They are the front line in the fight on militant Islam. What would The United States do if attacked by one of its neighbors? I guarantee Israel’s critics would be the first to demand action from our government. Iran and Syria be warned.
It amazes me how so many find Israel at fault. Any other country would defend itself and would be praised. Countries that have had terrorist attacks, whether it is France, United States, or any other, immediately acknowledge that they will not sit back and allow this unprovoked violence to occur. Yet Israel suffers day in and day out attacks. Only the most violent or successful get into our news. What people don’t know is that these attacks are continuously going on. Most do not make the news. Israel did what no other nation would have done – give back land it rightfully won in a war. Only when it comes to Israel do people still call it ‘occupied territory’. Should the US give back land to England. It’s interesting how none of the neighboring Muslim/Arab countries were willing to give the Palestinians land. They’ve even kicked the Palestinians out. Why doesn’t anyone want them? Answer: they come at a high cost and Israel has been paying the price. Israel has never killed or bombed without serious provocation. Two soldiers (now 3 total) is 3 too many. Have we all forgotten that a few years back when a soldier or student was ambushed, his kidnappers gutted him like a beached whale and hung him out the window for the world to see? Why should the world be willing to accept that sort of behavior to any degree? These two soldiers are only the straw that broke the camel’s back. Israel has continuously shown enormous restraint day after day as innocents are being killed by suicide bombers. Hamas and Hezbollah cry for innocents they are losing, but they use them as shields and put them in harms way. They encourage men, women, and children of all ages to kill and be killed. These groups are looking for “Jewish genocide”. They are today’s “Hitler”. For decades the Palestinians have lived side by side with the Israelis, were given aid by Israel, supported by Israel, etc. The fact that many of them did not make more of their lives is their own fault. Israel is the only one who gave them the means and the land.
To help understand the quandary and incongruity that Israel faces in dealing with its enemies, and to help explain much about the present state of events, I’d like to pose a few simple questions. It is well known that Israel has had WMD’s (nuclear and possibly other) for over 30 years. Yet they have never used them. QUESTION: Does any rational person think that Israel would ever use them unless, God forbid, they were the victim of such weapons themselves first? Of course not. Now imagine, again God forbid, that both Hamas and Hezbollah today had WMD’s at their immediate disposal (presumably provided by Iran). QUESTION: Do you think they would have even the slightest hesitation to use them first? Of course not. And who wouldn’t think they’d be ecstatic at the prospect of killing hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians. Now it may be easier to understand why Israel reacts the way it does – in this instance and in others. I have no particular interest in Mid East politics, nor do I have any axe to grind. But the fact is that Israel faces sworn enemies in various forms who are completely amoral and will do absolutely anything to bring about Israel’s destruction. QUESTION: Does Israel try to protect, preserve and defend the lives of its own citizens? Of course they do, as any nation has the right to do. QUESTION: does Hamas, Hezbollah and similar groups care about the Palestinians or other indigenous populations? Or do they deliberately expose them the line of fire, use them as human shields, and hide among them for defense? So now do you get it??
Just wait till this Lebanese-Israeli war spill into SYRIA which would automatically spill into IRAN. Ironically, the good news is the UN doesn’t have to worry about Iran’s nuclear makeshift rubbish anymore. Sounds funny but I bet that would be Israel’s first target. At the same time pay close attention to the down-spiral of Iran/Syria-funded terrorist attack rates in Iraq. Put those facts together and you’ll realize what’s on the Arabs’ Agenda nowadays. The truth is ISREAL has the right to defend itself against Arab-Terrorists by WAR! You don’t negotiate with terrorist. This whole world including the UN need to send a clear message that terrorism would not be condoned. It sound really funny that even though ISREAL is the most powerful nation in the Middle-East region and remains one of the most powerful on the planet the Arab world insist on wiping them out. Geez some of these Arab nations can’t even fund a national army talk less of a Navy or Air force. The Arabs should accept the real fact–you can’t terminate ISREAL until they’ve exhausted all those bloody nuclear-nukes they’ve piggy-banked for more than 30-years in production. So, Arabs can give it up and find ways to live in peace with ISREAL. ISREAL is going nowhere. While so many are criticizing ISREAL they barely make mention of SYRIAN/IRANIAN-missiles flying over the border into ISREALI civilian neighborhoods courtesy of Hezbollah Terrorist. Don’t pinch a sleeping TIGER, Just imagine God forbid Mexico kidnapping two US soldiers then start throwing fireworks on TEXAS I bet every Mexican would jump into the ocean if they have to regardless of who did it, why? Because, the US won’t take that crap. I hope this war sends a clear and firm message to every dead, living or unborn Arabs that you don’t ‘F’ with ISREAL.
Israel has a right to defend itself. Hezbollah and Hamas celebrate every when civilians die and they pass out sweets (just like they did in 9/11) while Israel does everything it can to prevent civilian casualties. Imagine if you would that Canada was launching rockets on civilian populations every day, what should the US response be? Why is Israel the only country that isn’t allowed to defend itself? If Lebanon won’t police its own borders, then Israel should. Frankly, Israel should deal with Syria next, as they are the sponsors of Hezbollah.
I think it’s easy for people to sit over here in America and pass judgment on Israel’s actions. What would we do if, say, Cuba launched a few rockets into Dallas or San Antonio’s? And have Canada sending in suicide bombers to blow themselves up in crowded malls in Detroit and Seattle. Maybe have Mexico kidnap a few border patrol agents. And let’s say this has been going on for years and years… What would America’s response be? Israel is surrounded by nations that have a very real desire to destroy them by killing everyone. They have a right to defend themselves. And sometimes enough is enough.
Define “disproportionate”. Israel has no choice but to defend the integrity of it’s boarders in the harshest way. If it allows it’s hostile, irreconcilable neighbors to actively or passively support terrorists then it will soon find itself increasingly under attack. Fortunately, Israel’s neighbors do not have the economic wherewithal to gain advanced weapon systems. If they did, you better believe they would use them. At least the Israeli military response has associated military objectives. Makeshift rockets accomplish nothing militarily, but terrorize and provoke the Israel population. Common sense should dictate that the Arabs not bring their families to a gun fight. Their direct or tacit support of Hezbollah / Hamas is the equivalent.
What is occurring in the Middle East is akin to the assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 that resulted in the escalation into World War I. The terrorist organization of Hamas has forced itself festered the events now transpiring in the Middle East with its reckless behavior of holding a soldier hostage.
Let me clear – Hamas is nothing more than a rouge terror organization that managed to gain the wimp of a disparaged people vaulting them into the control of the PA Government. They have provoked Israel. The claims that Israel “occupies” Palestine are hogwash – because Israel was making good faith attempts to withdraw from various territories and allow for the future set up of a 2-state situation.
However, Hamas created a slippery slope, by holding troop’s hostage…which other fanatical organizations no doubt had to follow, or else look weak. Israel has the full, sovereign and divine right to protect itself from the onslaught of festered hatred and pre-mediated annihilation by those who’ve sought its destruction since 1948.
If the Arab nations want to avert a World War, they will act like true leaders and call on their fellow brothers in Lebanon, Syria, Iran and Hamas to cease their horrendous actions, return the Israeli troops and stand done from confrontation – then and only then should Israel stand done. If these conditions aren’t met, then I fear we will spiral into a path no one can begin to imagine. Israel, like the US has the right to defend herself by any means needed!
Brian,
Why publish anonymous emails, especially from those who misspell words? It’s easy to make a flagrant comment “anonymously”. Certainly, Israel has a right to defend itself, as the USA did in attacking the Taliban’s in Afghanistan after 9/11 and the pre-emptive strike against the bad dudes in Iraq. The US is not financing Israel’s right to defend itself. Iran and North Korea are the conspirators here. Too bad that President Carter didn’t do something in 1978 when the US embassy was attacked and taken over by the Iranians. Negotiations didn’t work then. The hostages weren’t freed until Pres Reagan took measures when he took office in 1981. The Iranians were concerned that he would take “offensive” action and finally freed the embassy hostages. I think the despots in Iran and N. Korea are watching to see the world’s reaction to the current “war”. It is obvious that the UN is ineffective and will do nothing. China has to be influenced to bring pressure against the N. Koreans to stop supplying advanced missile technology to the Iranians. Undoubtedly, in my mind, the Iranians will eventually develop WMD’s and with the despot in power now, will use them. We’ve been in a war ever since 9/11.
It is true that Israel has used the Hezbollah attacks as a front for perhaps a controversially wide-scale objective of eliminating that group. The Lebanese government has permitted Hezbollah to act with impunity. And Syria is not made to account for its support of Hezbollah. As the German chancellor stated, there ought to be restraint on all sides…but there must also be balance in blame.
We cannot insist that Israel cease its plans to eliminate a terrorist threat without a robust endorsement of its right to self-defense. Would America, or Europe or Russia give up their right to defend against a terrorist organization in another territory? Certainly not. It is insufficient for the Lebanese government to permit this activity within their borders and play the victim caught between two factions. It is also scandalous for the Security Council to overlook the many factors that influence the current situation.
Nonetheless, I think the future will be more auspicious for Israel if it rethinks its current military deployment and drop its insistence on holding Lebanon responsible. The international community must agree to a demand for the soldiers’ safe return. There are diplomatic options still open to Israel to find an ultimate solution to Hezbollah that will allow them to preserve their ability to defend themselves while negotiating peace with the Palestinians. This escalation serves no one and it complicates Israel’s long-term strategy of living peacefully alongside its neighbors.
While many seem to want to condemn Israel, they have the right to defend themselves just like everyone else. If some terrorist group took two US soldiers from the U.S. to another country, what would the American people want the response to be? Ask the U.N. for guidance? Negotiate? Rollover? Wring our hands? Do everything possible to ensure their return, including military action? I believe the latter is what America would want, so why doesn’t Israel have the same right? After all it is Hezbollah that caused this incursion into Lebanon or did I miss something? No kidnapping, no incursion.