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.
Mark
Also you want to play the Hizbullah is a terrorist organization. Ok why is Hizbullah a terrorist organization? Hizbullah the last time I checked did not occupy someone elses land, the last time I checked they didn’t demolish anyone’s home, the last time I checked they are resisting Israeli occupation of their land, last time I check its Israel that is doing all that, so maybe its Israel that is a terrorist organiztion, a country based on injustice, a country that lacks moral standrads, a country that tries to prosper through the persecution of others. I don’t have any liking to Hizbullah but maybe if there wasn’t any injustice there wouldn’t be a Hizbullah did you ever think of that?
Yes Mark
This would be another great CNN poll, I greatly love those. Well you know, over half of Americans back Bush on his policy regarding whats happening in Lebanon, so if your house is made of glass don’t throw stones.
Mark you are angry, you are hateful, look in the mirror and try to figure out what you can change about yourself. Its peace that we need here not more justification for killing civilians, enough is enough. For you its a game, people dying in the Middle East is a game, for us its personal. End the invasion of Iraq, stop sending US tax dollars to Israel to destroy Palsetinian lives, and once and for all tell Israel they can’t continue their terrorist actions against civilians and then people can live. Enough is enough.
“you look at your posts that are calling muslims terrorists basically”
Show me where I said that. I called Hezbollah terrorists, not all Muslims. It doesn’t do your argument any good to falsely characterize what other people said. That’s part of your problem of labeling those who disagree with you “extremists”, just like I said.
“Knowing your dirty evil mind”.
Oh, you know my “dirty, evil mind”? Who’s being the extremist here?
“And what of the rest of the Arab world? Regret or celebration?”
Take a poll. I have confidence I’d be proved right.
Mark
Knowing your dirty evil mind before you jump in and say that you respect those that have a different opinion, how about when you lumped sum the whole Arab world into one and said:
“And what of the rest of the Arab world? Regret or celebration?”
Yallah go hit the road jack and don’t you come back no more no more no more
Mark
Also to prove you wrong, to give examples of American politicians taht I have respect for but of different opinion on many things include, Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, Former sec. of state James Baker, do you want me to go on?
Mark
Actually you are quite mistaken, you look at your posts that are calling muslims terrorists basically. On the other hand I respect every person’s opinion but not when some bastard says its ok these civilians needed to die, its for a good cause, I’m sick of the proIsrael spin evil machine. So I do have respect for many, for you I have none.
Maybe it’s because you label everyone who doesn’t agree with you an “extremist”?
Just a thought.
You know what amazes me is that we don’t see any moderate voices from the west speaking up against extremists such as worried, jason, mark, etc… why is that
Great worried, I’m glad you know yourself
Jason Osborn,
You need to add another idiot to your list above.