Bombs Fall in Israel

I was wondering how long it would be until the mess in Gaza and the West Bank fell into the lap of the Israelis.

It always seems to lead to this. Each group, whether it is Hamas or Hezbollah, wants to test the resolve of the Israeli government and military. I find myself believing that these groups are less worried about fighting among themselves, but simply using it as a cover for a bigger fight with their Jewish neighbors.

My question is now: what will the Israelis do about this recent incursion of Katyusha rockets into the Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona?

US v. Syria

Yesterday, in the General Assembly of the United Nations, Syria "schooled" the United States on history's lessons.

The US was explaining it's "no" vote regarding the people of Palestine, when the US representative went off on a tangent into the field of Syria, Hezbollah, and Lebanon. Basically, he said Syria did not respect the sovereignty of fellow nations by working to destabilize Lebanon's government and rearming Hezbollah.

The representative called a "point-of-order" and addressed the US representative directly. He said the US is hardly in a position to talk about respecting other nation's territory, when they have worked for years to undermine Iraq for their own gain. He also lambasted the US's use of the veto in the Security Council to defend Israel against initiatives other nations in the General Assembly have passed, such as Israel's withdrawal from the Golan Heights.

Basically, I felt the old proverb, "Judge not, lest ye be judged," was apt and used appropriately by the Syrian representative.

Middle East Tension

Israel violated the ceasefire arranged by the United Nations, by sending in troops to destroy certain targets, which Israel stated were reinforcements sent by the Syrians and Iranians.

In my opinion, any member state of the United Nations, which deliberately works to counteract a UN-sanctioned resolution, should be expelled. If Syria and Iran are working to re-arm Hezbollah, then their delegation to the United Nations must be suspended and sent out of New York. Basically, they forfeit their membership status for violating this agreement that has maintained a peace in this region for almost a week now.

It's incomprehensible.

1 a.m.

Tonight, at one a.m., the world will see if the fighting stops in the Middle East. Israel, Lebanon, and Hezbollah have agreed to the cease-fire, that was adopted by the United Nations Security Council yesterday.

Will it work? I think the fighting will stop for a while, but it depends on how committed the Lebanese are to maintaining sovereignty over their own land. If they send 15,000 Hezbollah soldiers to work with the UN peacekeeping forces, then probably not. But if Lebanon works to root out Hezbollah, then yes, peace is a great possibility.

We will wait and see...

Israel's Continued Aggression

It's much like beating someone after you've shot them to death. It's a rage against the memory, against the past. Israel is unbending in its assault against Lebanon. Today, many innocent people died, because of a miscalculation. They said, only Hezbollah targets should have been hit, not children. I'm sure that will smooth everything over with the Lebanese people. As if!

I believe in co-existence for Israel and Palestine. I believe every nation deserves to exist peacefully and without fear of attack and retribution. Israel has asserted itself time-and-time again. There is no doubt of this fact. The United Nations has called for an end to the violence, from both sides. Israel now risks alienation of its primary patron, the United States, which supports an end of violence and the introduction of a United Nations Peacekeeping Force, which will maintain the southern Lebanese border.

Israel must look at the long-term consequences of its actions; instead of simply evaluating the short-term goals they have met, which will not last in the greater scheme of things.

Israel's Iraq

Israel has now officially inaugurated its very own "Iraq." Hezbollah is not alone. They have Hamas, and now al-Qaeda, it would seem, to help them fight the war against Israel. Now, Lebanon is simply the playing field for a much larger issue. Like the United States and Iraq, Israel should not have invaded Lebanon. Sometimes it is better to maintain the status quo than to try for something better. In these types of situations, where you are dealing with centuries old stereotypes and hate, you only end up making the situation worse. There is no honor on either side. Instead of making Hezbollah extinct, they have caused them to dig in deeper and draft in some of their buddies, like al-Qaeda, to join the fight. In essence, you decrease your security by taking a direct approach to this type of situation.

Who's to say how this situation will turn out? Al-Qaeda says the Israelis, along with the Crusaders (meaning the US), are trying to destroy Islamic nations. It will certainly make things difficult for the US in dealing (or in the case of Bush, not dealing) with this situation. With the US in Iraq and Israel now rooting into Lebanon, who is to say the Islamic beast will not pounce? It's like an animal caught in the corner. It may not see any other solution but to attack with full force.

Some people never learn from the past, nor search for alternatives.

Why should he?

Why would George Bush call on Israel and Hezbollah to officially enter peace talks? All the press this conflict is getting is deflecting the central American issue from Iraq, where it should be. Let's let the Israelis and Arabs fight their own conflicts. They have been fighting for hundreds of years now. The United States deserves to know how its investments are being squandered. I am sure King George hopes the Israelis and Arabs fight forever. It takes the heat off of his back.

"What's going on in Iraq? What's Iraq? Have you heard about Israel and Hezbollah?"

No end in sight

It would seem there is no end in sight for the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah (and Hamas) as we go into the seventh day of fighting. The United Nations may have a plan to move UN soldiers into southern Lebanon to create a "DMZ"-like area. Israel needs to step back a bit and see if diplomacy cannot end this conflict and create the resolutions it seeks. The world, and the terrorists organizations, see they mean business!

Bush is making a mistake...yet again!

Today, Bush is trying to pressure Syria to stop backing Hezbollah. Now what's wrong with that you might ask? Instead of Bush bringing Israel, Hezbollah, Hamas, etc., to the table to negotiate their differences, he is playing favorites. Now, I've never been president of the United States, I'm not an ambassador, but I have enough sense to know that you can't pressure one side to stand down while the other side is blowing up jack.

As a good faith movement, the United States should ask Israel to implement a 48 hour cease fire in Lebanon, and then ask Hezbollah, through Syria, for the same. There, you have an even-handed approach to a situation that is quickly growing out of control. Both sides are being asked to do exactly the same thing. No side is being singled out as the bad guy. Then during that 48 hours you work like mad, openly with both sides, to create a long term cease fire, while creating a proactive dialogue for both sides. That people is what you call coming to the table! It's not George Bush in Russia telling Syria what it will do. I'm sorry, but that doesn't work. Did it work in Iraq? I don't think so! But here Bush is again trying to tell another country what to do. When are we going to impeach this asshole exactly?

I am in agreement with the prime minister of Lebanon; the escalation of hostilities is disproportionate with the abduction of Israeli soldiers. Instead of attacking Lebanon, perhaps Israel should have offered them economic incentives to implement military programs to root out Hezbollah from Lebanon's southern border. You catch more flies with honey than vinegar, Mr. Bush!

The Middle East

Today, we saw an increase in the rhetoric from Hezbollah regarding the offensive attacks by Israel. It may also seem that Syria will continue to back Hezbollah (or increase it's support) over the next few days. I just wonder if that means they will become directly involved. I think Syria will restrain itself, unless it is attacked by Israel.

Israel may be betting on the fact the United States stands between it and Iran, but I'm not sure I'd take that bet, considering the US is involved in a futile war in Iraq. The United States couldn't even protect itself from an invasion, much less contain Iran from becoming involved in the Israel-Lebanon conflict.

Israel, et al.

Israel has significantly increased its offenses against the terrorist group, Hezbollah, by attacking various regions of Lebanon, where they are headquartered. What will be the outcome of this offense? Israel has also bombed the main airport in Beirut and areas of eastern Lebanon, called the Bekaa Valley (which is dangerously close to Syria). Hezbollah's major patrons are Syria and Iran. It is possible Syria would become engaged in this conflict in the next few days. They have already strongly condemned the Israeli raids and bombings in Lebanon.