Israel's Invasion of Lebanon Was Not Justified

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

by Walter Simpson

http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0903-22.htm

<snip>

Shia had me read Tolstoy’s short story, “A Spark Neglected Burns the House,” so I would better understand the nature of violence. It’s a tale about Russian peasant families who fight over a chicken egg. One family finds the egg on their property and the other is sure it came from one of their chickens. When the egg is not returned, the families begin a feud and an escalating cycle of violence and revenge, which ends with a fire that burns down their entire town. While the Middle East conflict began with more than a disagreement over a misplaced egg, the cycle of violence and revenge Tolstoy described has played out in that region for many years.

The most recent conflagration – now hopefully ended by the United Nation’s ceasefire – is said to have been sparked by Hezbollah’s kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers and killing of eight others. That led – with remarkable speed -- to a massive Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon while thousands of Hezbollah rockets reigned down on northern Israel.

Most of world public opinion and international criticism has been directed at Israel and its chief ally, the United States. While Hezbollah has been criticized for launching indiscriminant rocket attacks, Israel has been accused of mounting a disproportionate response and inflicting collective punishment against a civilian population -- all serious violations of international law. Amnesty International has weighed in. And Human Rights Watch, while critical of Hezbollah, has called Israel’s attack on Lebanese civilians and infrastructure a deliberate strategy and not merely unavoidable “collateral damage.”

Years ago, philosopher Jean Paul Sartre argued in a small monogram entitled “On Genocide” that superpowers will have to resort to attacks on civilian populations to beat well organized guerilla forces. Sartre deplored this but could see it playing out in Vietnam. Israel finds itself in the same box and the awful consequences are apparent. Like its enemy Hezbollah, Israel has hit civilian population centers -- but with many times the fire power...

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An abridged version of this essay was rejected by WBFO radio as his monthly commentary for August. According to Mr. Simpson, he was told by WBFO that the NPR station was no longer going to air commentaries critical of Israel’s conduct in the recent war in Lebanon because callers had complained about a previous commentary critical of Israel. Mr. Simpson’s regular monthly WBFO commentary has also been canceled.

[eyl]

1. I notice that beyond the headline

the author does not explain anywhere <b>why</b> he thinks the Israeli response was unjustified (he thinks its excessive, apparently, but that's not the same thing)

[IndianaGreen]

2. Rightwing loves censorship, as does the Israel Lobby

The policies they support will lead to the destruction of Israel. If I wanted Israel to cease to exist, I would be giving money to AIPAC and I would be a vociferous defender of everything Israel does, and I would be an implacable opponent of those that advocate peace.

Why do we oppose the war in Iraq, and upcoming wars in Syria and Iran? Because we don't want our country (USA) to be harm by such folly. Why do we oppose Israel's war on Lebanon, and its occupation of Palestine? Because Israel is being destroyed by the pursuit of those policies (not to mention the justice and human rights issues).

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

3. Good point. I suspicion that many if not most all of the

...loudest Neocon cheerleaders for Israel's out of control militarism do not sincerely care at all about Israel's future as a State. I think what they want is to see the Middle East in flames.

[Poll_Blind]

4. Great point. Thank you. n/t

PB