Israel has killed, once again, civilians in Lebanon. 54 people this time, including 34 children.
Hizbollah attacked again - thankfully killing no one this time - launching 115 rockets into Israel, three people were wounded.
It's an awful situation.
Israel is stuck with an awful terrorists group on its borders, Hizbollah, which consistently targets no one but civilians. And now, Israel, has had enough, and have decided to destroy Hizbollah.
On the face of it, it's not an entirely unreasonable position.
But like most things, scratching the surface really doesn't help any.
Israel has targeted the refugee camps, and areas that hold civilians, because that is where Hizbollah operates, and this is most certainly true. But probing a bit deeper, this week's Salon.com notes the situation is not that simple.
Hizbollah (and many other terrorist organisations) provide more than just missiles. They provide education and health services as well... which one of the reasons they are in the those refugee camps. Targeting individuals who provide those services raises some uncomfortable questions, regardless of their affiliation.
In short, Israel bombs Lebanon, creating refugees. Refugees are not happy to be refugees, and are likley ticked off with Israel. Refugees go to camps where they get food, medicine and education from Hizbollah. Sometimes, they get bombed again by Israel.
This is not an uncommon terrorist pattern. Indeed, the fore-runner of the IRA, (the Irish Republican Brotherhood) provided social services such as education and health care.
Anyone care to guess what happens next?
Score one for Hizbollah.
So whereas I too support Israel's right defend itself... I find myself asking, is Israel actually defending itself?
Indeed, today's attack drove Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora who is normally at odds with Hizbollah, to actually thank them for defending the border.
Score two for Hizbollah.
And why are Syria and Iran getting off scot-free? Obviously Israel realizes that messing with Syria and Iran would be a different thing than picking a fight with their shattered Lebanese neighbour.
Score three for Hizbollah.
No one seems to be able to broker restraint with either side, in particular the US, leaving Israel's American ally, appearing to be powerless in the middle east. Indeed, with US, British, Canadian and Australian current troop commitments, it is clear that diplomacy is all that there is... and it is failing.
Then there is the notion espoused by Harper that troops from the region should hold the border.
Like who? The Syrians who are already there? Maybe the Saudis? The Egytians? Perhaps the Iranians? No doubt they would all be welcomed by Israel.
Score four for Hizbollah.
I have no doubt that in the end Israel will leave Hizbollah beaten and bloodied. But in doing so, I would be concerned at how many new terrorists are spawned.
The smoke and broken mirrors of the latest Lebanese war obscures the real issue here.
Until Lebanon has the internal strength to govern itself, this will keep happening. Changing that will require real commitment, from outside the region.
And Syria and Iran will need to be dealt with, and that is a very unclear path... which no one has had the courage to consider.
Until then... well, good luck to the average joe in the middle east...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
The suggestio was to have an international middle east forcer comprised of Jordanian, Egyptian and Saudi forces and yes Israel has approved of the idea.
you raise an important issue.
As hundreds of thousands of refugees flee into the welcoming arms of their Syrian neighbours, I can't help but think that Israel -justified as their actions are -may simply be ensuring that Hezbolah has at least one more generation of adherents to defend against.
And so it continues.
Most unfortunate, given the progress that the "Cedar Revolution" seemed to have brought to Lebanon (and neighbouring Israel) just a year ago.
Post a Comment