NEWS: Israel Pushes On, Bush Tacitly Approves

POLITICS: Israel Pushes On, Bush Tacitly Approves

The last two weeks have been tumultuous for Israel, with the situation in Gaza escalating as Palestinians strike back at the pounding they've received from Israeli forces seeking a return of kidnapped corporal Gilad Shalit. Earlier this week Israel opened up a second front in their war to the north, as Hezbollah kidnapped two Israeli soldiers and killed eight others. Israel has not taken lightly to these kidnappings and seems to be pushing hard to retaliate strongly against Lebanon, despite Lebanon's pleas for a cease-fire. While Vladimir Putin and Jacques Chirac have both called for an end to hostilities by both sides, George W. Bush has remained silent on the matter, only having his spokesman say that "The president is not going to make military decisions for Israel."

Israel's conditions seem to be reasonable enough. What's not as clear is whether the Lebanese government is in a position to meet them. Unlike Gaza, where Hamas is the controlling party of their parliament and the Palestinians make up a fairly homogenous electorate, Lebanon is a significantly more diverse country. While Emile Lahoud, the current President has been accused of supporting Hezbollah and being subject to undue influence from Syria, the country as a whole is significantly more divided in its support for Hezbolalh, which is widely (and probably correctly) regarded as a Syrian tool to needle Israel and an unwelcome presence within Lebanon. If this is the case then it may not be within the power of the Lebanese government to stop Hezbollah's attacks on Israel, nor to force the return of the kidnapped prisoners.



Just weeks before Bush urged Syria to stay out of Lebanon and allow the country to govern itself outside of Syrian influence. Bush has blamed Syria for the recent spat of violence in the region, and it has long been on his target list, though a plan to invade the country was scrapped for a variety of reasons several years ago, one of which was undoubtedly a lack of popular support. Given the way things have been going in both Iraq and Afghanistan it is unlikely that Bush currently has the political capital to start another preemptive war, so allowing Israel to fight against Hezbollah, Syria's proxy, may be the next best thing in his mind.

Lets try to remember Hezbollah, and Hamas are terrorists first and foremost seeking the destruction of Israel and all this makes sense. We already had troops there once lets not do it again, we're already fucked as is.

Of course he approves. He is a "war president" remember?

It is shocking to me that a President who has no respect for the concept of national sovereignty would support an ally who has no respect for national sovereignty.

No doubt. However, I think the real distinction here is that Hamas literally controls Palestine - they have plurality (maybe majority? I forget) control over Gaza's parliament. Hezbollah remains an independent organization which probably garners some private support from Lebanese individuals (and has some government sympathizers, including the current president) but is in no way officially sanctioned or supported by the Lebanese government, and is actively opposed by a large portion of it, and the populace.

Israel was attacked, they are still being attacked. 700,000 plus Israelies are living in bomb shelters right now because Hamas continues to fire rockets into civillian areas. Hezbollah has started targeting civillian and commercial ships with attack drones supplied by Iran. Now Syria is theatening war if Israel does not leave Lebanon. Iran also came out and stated that if Israel strikes Syria they will be at war with the entire muslim world. Israel must not give into fear. Hopefuly Israel will remain steadfast and continue to fight for the lives of its people.

Very true. Hopefuly the Lebanese people will use this as a chance to stand up, embrace Israel as a friend and drive out the Hezbollah terrorists.

Bush fiddles while Beirut burns.

There is no reason for the US to get involved at this point.

Just like the people of Iraq leapt up and thanked their liberators when they came rolling in with tanks.

If the Lebanese people do not want to be assosiated with the actions of Hezbollah then they must act. At this stage words alone may not be enough for the Israelies.

Do you really think the people of Lebanon want to prove anything to Israel? Even if the Lebanese started off hating Hezbollah, they aren't going to act against them once Israel has started targetting civilian centres and seems determined to wipe Lebanon off the map.

The Lebanese people cannot on the one hand say "stop fighting us, we don't support Hezbollah," while on the other hand standing idoly by doing nothing as Hezbollah uses Lebanon as base for their military operations. The people of Lebanon must take responsability for turning a blind eye to Hezbollah's terrorist actions all these years.

The U.S.S. Liberty was attacked by the IDF in 1967 who were looking for (I believe) Syrian attack boats. They saw the US flag and attacked anyway. When they realised thay had attacked a US spy ship they sent rescuers to aid the suvivors. Israel has apolagized for the attack and has even paid restitution to some of the sailors families.

I don' think running for cover counts as standing idoly by. The only people resisting Israel right now are Hezbollah. Which will have the effect of making them into martyrs for their people. Which will perpetuate the conflict.

Yes it was Egypt not Syria I forgot. Thank you for the correction. They did send in gunboats because at that time they still thought it was a disguised Egptian attack boat. When they got close enough to see the faces of the men they were firing upon they realized they were not Egyptians as they thought and they immediately moved to conduct a rescue operation. It was horrable mistake and many americans were killed. Israel has taken responsability for their attack and like I said they even went so far as to pay restitution to the famalies involved. What more do you want them to do?

They don't require martyrs now as they "perpetuate the conflict." What significant difference will it make? Hezbollah already wants all of Israel dead how could a "martyr" make them any more hateful and dangerous?

Why hasn't the President of Lebanon, Emile Lahoud come out and called for Hezbollah to disarm? (Correct me if he has by the time I post this)

Maybe he dosen't want a civil war?

Because, at this point, they are the only thing standing between Lebanon and total occupation

Don't get me wrong on this, I think Hezbollah is bad and in the wrong here, but it's easy to say what choices should be made over here where we are safe.

Right now he has a country under siege with half the populace loving and the other half hating Hezbollah. If Israel had taken a measured response he might have had a chance, but Israel has gone insane and seems intent on escalating this incident. Under those cirmcumstance I don't imagine he can see much benefit in turning on his countrys only fighters.

Peace seemed like it was in danger of breaking out in the region, espcially with the Gaza pull-out. Hezbollah and Hamas existed only to fight. They were losing their powwe as warriors and only some of them were making the transition to politicians. They needed to strike a spark to re-ignite the hatred. They found it.

If he would turn on them as you put it, it would send a posative message to Israel who might then be willing to scale back their military operations in Lebanon. It could be the first step toward peace.

You're correct, it might be that first step. But, after how many generations of hate, and an Israeli attack that seems all out of proportion, do you really think he believes that?

I actualy agree with you mostly on this point. I think there is more support for Hezbollah and Hamas then you do. The real question that your point raises is what you think Israel should have done as they were attacked on two fronts?

You could be right but I think it is more likely that the rumors of his support for Hezbollah are dead on.