"Israel's Atrocious Error" - Lebanese Blogger

[liberalpragmatist]

This sums up my feelings on this; I know Hezbollah started this. I know that the Lebanese government was unable to disarm it quickly enough to ensure Israel's security. I believe Israel had a right to respond militarily and some kind of military response was necessary. I don't wish harm on Israel and I admire quite a bit about Israel. And no, I don't want to "drive the Jews to the sea," or am an apologist for terror.

I simply don't understand how the scale of this fighting accomplishes what Israel wants to do? What is Israel hoping to accomplish? I do think that taking military action against Hezbollah helped get the UN and NATO to seriously consider an international force as a buffer, which is a good idea. But could this not have been achieved with less force? Instead, Israel now has to contend with an infuriated Lebanese population (the most pro-Western Arab country) that is solidly against the U.S. and Israel. It has strengthened the hand of Iran, strengthened Hezbollah because they can now claim a "victory" against Israel having resisted destruction, and resulted in hundreds of civilian deaths and massive dislocations.

But those are my thoughts. What does at least one Lebanese blogger have to say about this?

http://lebop.blogspot.com

Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Israel's Atrocious Error

Israel squandered a valuable opportunity.

After the first two days of bombing:

1. Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, attacked Hezbollah and expressed an understanding for Israel's response. This is absolutely unprecedented. It's the first time Arabs have come to the defense of Israel.

2. Christian, Sunni, and Druze Lebanese politicians expressed outrage at Hezbollah's attack. Their main concern was timing (ie, money), as the Lebanese economy floats on tourism dollars. But, for the first time, they directly challenged Hezbollah.

3. Shia Lebanese, incredibly, questioned the actions of Hezbollah. Like the rest of the Lebanese, Shia asked, "Why now? Why this? Is this our battle? Why must we suffer at the exact time we hope to profit from so many years of loss and oppression?

The longer the bombing went on, the less and less concerned people were for Hezbollah's actions.

I continually noted in meetings and interviews that no good will come of this. Through escalated military action:

1. Israel will not get the release of the kidnapped soldiers

2. Israel will not destroy Hezbollah. It is militarily impossible given Hezbollah's control of the bekaa Valley, and especially with Hezbollah's easy escape route to Syria.

3. Israel will push other Lebanese further and further away from understanding their position

4. Israel will push the Arabs and international community away

5. Israel will further empower Syria. Frighteningly, Thomas Friedman and other American commentators believe that bringing Syria back in will moderate the regime. This is absolutely ludicrous and completely undermines everything that the Lebanese and international community have been trying to do over the last three years. The Syrian regime will not stop abetting terrorism. They will not be brought into the "Arab fold." They've already insulted the Saudis and Egyptians. And the regime isn't Sunni.

No good can come of this. The only positive result I could think of was that at the end of this conflict, the Arabs and the international community would put strings on the money to rebuild the country forcing the government to make vital changes.

Now, since the conflict has inflicted such horror on innocent civilians in Lebanon and destroyed the country, aid is coming in from all over the place. Of course, no strings attached. Of course, this means that traditional Lebanese channels will profit directly from corruption and theft. Of course, this means Hezbollah will not be pressured to do anything.

Saudi Arabia has just donated $1.5 billion to Lebanon. I cheer them and thank them. Lebanon is desperate.

Nothing positive will come of this. When the violence stops, Syria will be stronger. Iran will still be cooking up nukes. Israel will have aided the regime facilitating Hamas' activities, thus Israel should expect continued internal violence. The West will be ever more hated for allowing this atrocious activity to continue.

[DYouth]

1. Israel's total assault on Palestine wasn't "starting it"?

They violated the ceasefire with Hamas, which Hamas didn't pull out of until they bombed a Gazan beach.

This history that erases Arab suffering is disheartening.

[liberalpragmatist]

6. Not at all

I'm not talking about Hamas. I'm talking about Hezbollah, which did this basically unprovoked in response to domestic political pressure to disarm.

[me b zola]

13. Would you say that if...

Would you say that if you found out that the Israelis were in Lebanon when they were attacked and two of the soldiers were taken captive? Now I don't know if that's true, but some reports are stating that. For me, for now, that leaves a big fat question mark.

[liberalpragmatist]

14. In that case, I would still say Israel didn't have a right to attack

It had a right to get its soldiers back but diplomatic efforts ought to have been the focus in that case.

It's possible it'll emerge that they were on the Lebanese side of the border. Most of the credible reports are saying the oppose, so fo now I'm assuming that's the case.

[zonkers]

19. If those were the facts dont you think we wouldve heard it from Hezbollah

They have been getting info out via the press. .

[ChairmanAgnostic]

21. so the targetted assassinations don't count?

The killing of civilians BEFORE the H'zbullah crossed the border is immaterial?

It is a patent, well-publicized and beautifully crafted lie that H'zbullah started this war, and even more beautifully crafted lie that it is about those two soldiers.

I have to admire Israel on one point. They are playing to the US media, the US public and the US congress like Oscar-winning actors. A truly amazing and disgusting example of public manipulation and spin.

[nashville_brook]

2. it accomplishes what the US wants in the middle east

[me b zola]

12. That's the sad truth

Follows the PNAC game-plan. That's why any talk of Israeli or US call for a cease-fire is based on such ludicrous bench marks that they know will never be agreed upon, they want regional war.

[Erika]

3. 23% of the Lebanon government were Hezbollah

Democratically elected.

[DYouth]

4. I would elect the revolutionaries who defended my country too

if I were them.

[liberalpragmatist]

5. And the rest?

Hezbollah is a political force in Lebanon but they don't speak for all Lebanese and nowhere near a majority.

[Erika]

8. Then why should Israel decimate their country

for the 23% while holding their government responsible?

[Kagemusha]

9. The rest don't appreciate getting bombed.

Flushed a lot of potential good will down the toilet since they didn't care for Hezbollah's actions inviting it. But, they invited, and Israel brought, and brought, and brought, and most of it has NOT been on Hezbollah.

[Poll_Blind]

15. 10% of the Knesset are Shas. n/t

PB

[beam me up scottie]

7. Wow.

Nothing positive will come of this. When the violence stops, Syria will be stronger. Iran will still be cooking up nukes. Israel will have aided the regime facilitating Hamas' activities, thus Israel should expect continued internal violence. The West will be ever more hated for allowing this atrocious activity to continue.

Outfuckingstanding powers of observation.

It's like someone took their ideological blinders off...

[Clarkie1]

10. Well...trying to find something positive here.

Hopefully, at least some of the first 3 positive points will not be lost:

1. Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, attacked Hezbollah and expressed an understanding for Israel's response. This is absolutely unprecedented. It's the first time Arabs have come to the defense of Israel.

2. Christian, Sunni, and Druze Lebanese politicians expressed outrage at Hezbollah's attack. Their main concern was timing (ie, money), as the Lebanese economy floats on tourism dollars. But, for the first time, they directly challenged Hezbollah.

3. Shia Lebanese, incredibly, questioned the actions of Hezbollah. Like the rest of the Lebanese, Shia asked, "Why now? Why this? Is this our battle? Why must we suffer at the exact time we hope to profit from so many years of loss and oppression?

And, despite the continued violence, the blogger still holds out hope for:

"The only positive result I could think of was that at the end of this conflict, the Arabs and the international community would put strings on the money to rebuild the country forcing the government to make vital changes."

That's exactly what needs to happen. After the shooting stops, Hezbollah must not be allowed to rule Southern Lebanon ever again. The Lebanese government must be strengthened, and there will need to be an international presence in the buffer zone until the Lebanese army and government are strong enough to take over.

[Erika]

11. The Southern Lebanese residents are now pro Hezbollah

after the tirade Israel threw. The duly elected democratic government of Lebanon elected 23% Hezbollah members.

[regnaD kciN]

16. I wonder how many Hezbollah representatives...

...you'll see in the Lebanese government after the next election? :-(

[Clarkie1]

17. Well, that's partly proven fact.

Yes, 23% of the government of Lebanon are Hezbollah. I see no harm with someone calling themselves "Hezbollah" being duly elected in a future Lebanese governement (although I hope they are not) as long as the Hezbollah militia is completely disarmed.

"The Southern Lebanese residents are now pro-Hezbollah"

Well, Hezbollah was providing a lot of essential services to them long before this. That's part of the problem...the Lebanese government was not governing in Southern Lebanon. That needs to change. So, some of the residents were pro-Hezbollah before. The poster says some initially blamed Hezbollah for the current hostilities. I'm sure some will become pro-Hezbollah that weren't, but really there is no way to know how many will be pro or anti Hezbollah after all of the current military action by Israel. What is most important...and the blogger correctly identifies this as the only hope...is for the international community to work with the Lebanese government to finish disarming the militia if need be, and prevent them from ever arming themselves again. It won't matter so much if people are pro-Hezbollah if Hezbollah is rendered impotent by taking all their weapons away.

[OneBlueSky]

18. just part of the BushCo/PNAC plan for the region . . .

draw Syria into it, thereby drawing Iran into it, and expand the war to the entire Middle East . . . as planned . . .

[yodermon]

20. I had not heard about his 1st three points.

1. Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, attacked Hezbollah and expressed an understanding for Israel's response. This is absolutely unprecedented. It's the first time Arabs have come to the defense of Israel.

2. Christian, Sunni, and Druze Lebanese politicians expressed outrage at Hezbollah's attack. Their main concern was timing (ie, money), as the Lebanese economy floats on tourism dollars. But, for the first time, they directly challenged Hezbollah.

3. Shia Lebanese, incredibly, questioned the actions of Hezbollah. Like the rest of the Lebanese, Shia asked, "Why now? Why this? Is this our battle? Why must we suffer at the exact time we hope to profit from so many years of loss and oppression?

These were not reported in any news media that I was listening to. Guess I just wasn't paying attention.

[alcibiades_mystery]

22. These were constantly reported; it was the mantra of the press

for the first few days of the bombardment, primarily because it was Israel's main goal. Hezbollah's response was to launch the hundred, perhaps thousands, of rockets into Israel, which brought on the desired result: massive Israeli bombardment of Lebanon that reversed the initial dislike of Hezbollah's actions and turned the blame to the Israelis for what has been a truly despicable campaign. Hezbollah has always been able to count on Israeli stupidity to do the job Hezbollah's own meager efforts couldn't do, and this latest round of Israeli insanity is no different. And the blogger is absolutely right: the Israelis have squandered their initial ideological victories with their continued bloodlust, and they've been out-chess-moved by the craven, but apparently more crafty, Hezbollah strategy. The turning point came the day that the Israelis - in the most boneheaded procedure in the long list of boneheaded procedures - bombed the Lebanese Army barracks, killing Shias, Druze, and Christians, who are not, as the pathetic Israelis later tried to shuffle off, segregated within the Lebanese military, and thus basically communicating that they don't give a flying fuck about such distinctions. That such stupidity counteracts their major goal in segemnting the Lebanese population and thus isolating Hezbollah is obvious to everyone but the most blindered Israeli apologists, most of whom - incredibly - still believe that the initial goal is still viable, and made more viable with the crash of each new bomb! In this way, Israel's stupid policy is reinforced by the stupidity of its apologists: as General Giap once said of similar stupidity by a major military power in Southeast Asia, not so much a vicious circle as a downward spiral.

[roguevalley]

23. fuck all the killers. god bless the suffering innocent people. its all

the same, always. the innocent suffer over the abstractions and hatred of idiots in charge. Stop me if you've heard this before.