So after 60 people — at least 34 of them children — were slaughtered in an Israeli strike today, Israeli PM Ehud Olmert is indicating he wants to continue "the battle".
"We will not stop this battle, despite the difficult incidents this morning," Olmert said during Israel’s weekly Cabinet meeting, according to a participant in the meeting. "We will continue the activity and if necessary it will be broadened without hesitation."
Source: [Yahoo News]
This is beyond awful. The Israeli Army is showing the world a terrible ruthlessness. The bloodshed has to end, for the sake of humanity. Israel has made it clear that it will not stop until they disarm Hezbollah. In my humble opinion this will never happen. Hezbollah is more of a concept, an ideology, than anything else. It is an ideology fomented by the continuous frustration Arab youths face on a daily basis. You cannot kill an ideology with bombs. Meanwhile, Hezbollah’s popularity is soaring now more than ever due to the continuing Israeli attacks on Lebanon that have left many innocent civilians dead.
The Washington Post is reporting today how Arab governments that were initially critical of Hezbollah are now applauding the movement.
The United States’ Arab allies — Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt — initially blamed Hezbollah for the violence, calling its seizure of the soldiers miscalculated adventures. But a high civilian death toll, widespread destruction in Lebanon and strong popular support for Hezbollah have forced a shift in their stance.
And now Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora today thanked Hezbollah for the first time for their "sacrifices," saying:
"We are in a strong position and I thank the Sayyed for his efforts," Siniora said when asked about a Saturday statement by Hizbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah calling on the government to take advantage of Hizbollah’s steadfastness against Israeli military might. "I also thank all those who sacrifice their lives for the independence and sovereignty of Lebanon," he added.
Just for the record Siniora had always been known for being at odds with Hezbollah.
My sister who was in Damascus last week told me this morning how she was surprised to see wanton support for Hezbollah amongst the common people of Syria. She saw Hezbollah flags flying on cars while a number of people she talked with were expressing their pride and support for what Hezbollah is now doing.
Articulate Jordanian commentator and blogger Batir Wardam is wondering how many people Al-Qaeda has recruited since the beginning of this Israeli offensive in Lebanon.
Routes for violence are abundant. Organizations like Al Qaeda are ready to exploit this anger, not only against the USA and Israel but also against the Arab countries, communities and regime themselves. This is a twisted response but it is a natural result of the Israeli and American action. As I write now, and as you read hundreds of Arab Youth are being mainstreamed into the Qaeda and fundamental organizations who will provide the platform for angry Arab youth to become what we used to call them: terrorists!
Sadly enough, his argument is plausible. Israel has facilitated Al-Qaeda recruitment. I’m so frustrated. Things are going from bad to worse. The future is bleak. My children will never live in peace.
3ogla’s favorite knower-of-all-things is baaaaack!
Ok why is Hizbullah a terrorist organization?
Well, they have a long history of kidnapping, torturing, and killing people.
They also were responsible for blowing up an embassy and a Jewish community center in Argentina. They killed over a hundred people in those two attacks.
They conduct “military actions” out of uniform, in heavily populated areas, and behind human shields. They also hide their weapons in civilian homes, schools, and mosques.
There was also that little thing of attacking US Marines and French paratroopers back in the eighties. How much do you want to bet the suicide bomber was not wearing a uniform at the time or following any of the other expected rules of legitimate combatants during wars?
Besides all that, I’m scratching my head trying to figure out why some might consider Hezbollah a terrorist organization.
It is a big mystery.
3ogla, I did find your comments helpful, and I should apologize for some of my own.
In reflection, I felt that my initial comments were not clear or well-considered to begin with either; I certainly didn’t think you actually suggested I’d travel to these places. That was me being a little miffed, a bit sarcastic, with a very (tiny) dash of humor thrown in (not that I find anything about the crisis funny).
Finally, and this is directed at anyone who reads our comments, there’s nothing wrong with believing in a certain religion. If I’m not mistaken, the Koran has a passage that is similar to the Bible’s commandant that “thou shalt not kill.” For those that feel to contrary, bear in mind that no one religion has this sad problem.
Jason
First I have to say thanks for being more open minded than some idiots on this site. I never suggested that you should travel to Palestine and Lebanon. But people could easily travel to other Middle Easter country that are peaceful and wonderful such as Jordan, and you can learn a lot there.
” do ask questions and I have an opinion. Violence isn’t an answer. For one reason or another have been killing each other for centuries, and for what? Because of a different view on God? Because they think they’re doing God a service?”
I am so glad you raised this point. Please be rest assured that this conflict has nothing to do with relegion or with God. Extremists on both side use that as a stupid excuse. This is a simple problem, its about people coming to Palestine and steeling land from the Palestinians and making them homeless and refugees and its about what they continue to do today, deeds such as ethnic cleansing, home demolishing, destroying infrastructure etc…
As far as Hizbullah, Al Queda, Hamas etc.. maybe I wasn’t clear in my previous messages. I hope eventually all these organizations disapear, you think I want those to exist. HOwever, what I was also saying is you need to understand how and why these exist. Hamas is the creation of Israel. Israel created Hamas in the early 80s because they refused to deal with the PLO the sole and only representative of the Palestinian people at the time. So this is what they get now. Al Queda, its just the “Godly” ally of the US that defeated the “UnGodly” enemby (soviets) in Afghanistan. Hizbullah, if Israel did not occupy Lebanon and steel land from them, Hizbuallah would be non existant today.
As far as the Hitler/Hollocost comment, I totally agree with you. Had Hitler been more successful he would have come after the Arabs next. And yes Israel is doing the same to the Arabs as was done to them. God help us all.
I hope you find my comments helpful.
You raise a good point. I should ask questions, and I do. But… how do you propose that I travel to the region and learn about these two groups? I’d most likely be shot on sight.
I do ask questions and I have an opinion. Violence isn’t an answer. For one reason or another have been killing each other for centuries, and for what? Because of a different view on God? Because they think they’re doing God a service?
Maybe Israel are becoming extremists; it’s possible and I don’t think that punishing a country by bombing it is right. But what about Hezbullah? What about Al Queda? Do you think that shooting rockets into villages and flying planes into buildings is how to gain independence or to drive Israel out? All this has done, and is still doing, is generating more hatred and fear.
The comment about the holocaust, in my opinion, applies for the Middle East because it was born out of insanity. It was directed at a certain group, and that it targeted the Jewish was inconsequential. Hitler could’ve chosen anyone (and did–the physically and mentally handicapped, the Gypsies, gays, lesbians). My point is that people were killed because they were different. Now Israel is making some of the same mistakes. They’re blaming a certain group on their woes and catching others in the crossfire, and they’re idiots for doing so.
“And yes, I am an idiot in certain matters. I’m not a genius, I don’t pretend to be one, and I certainly do not have first- or even second-hand knowledge of every topic in the world.”
Well then maybe since you dont’ have a first or second hand knowledge on the subject you should maybe ask questions, learn, go to the region. Try to understand what Al Queda is and who empowered it. Try to unerstand what the difference between Hizbullah and Al Queda is. How Hizbullah came to existance. What objectives do each have. Also try to understand the realties on the ground. Again to you its just a game to sit in the US infront of your computer and type messages. To us our children are dying, half of my family had to leave Lebanon within the past 3 weeks, they are left homeless, we lost our home in Palestine.
Maybe if there was justice we wouldn’t have such organizations as Hizbullah, Hamas, Al Queda. However unfortunatly, the existance of the biggest terrorist organization in the world “Israel” is creating extremis because of the injustice the inflict on others.
Additionally, I don’t get why you would shove the comment about the Hollocost in there, no one is denying that the hollocost took place, but maybe the West should pay the price for it since the comitted it not the Arabs. And for now try to look at the present day Hollocost that Israel is comitting against the Arabs, I think you’d be much better of asking questions rather than making such comments.
Yep, I figured that was one of the responses I’d get to my comments.
First, I’m not Jewish, second I do blame, not only the US, but other Governments in the world (why do you think I didn’t name names?).
And yes, I am an idiot in certain matters. I’m not a genius, I don’t pretend to be one, and I certainly do not have first- or even second-hand knowledge of every topic in the world.
“You’re the extremist, 3ogla. Look in the mirror.”
If someone that asks for ending war and peace between people is an extremist to you then so be it.
“Mark you are angry, you are hateful, look in the mirror…”
I am not angry or hateful at all and neither anger nor hate shows in the posts I’ve made. You, on the other hand, are a different story.
You’re the extremist, 3ogla. Look in the mirror.