Lebanon and Israel, my personal view
While the ongoing dispute between Israel and Hezbollah has now been on going for a number of weeks, the events today in Qana had brought a new reality to the situation with the loss of dozens of children in the bombing by the Israeli's. Clearly the situation could now be spiralling out of control with increasing loss of life on both sides, a ceasefire needs to come soon otherwise this trail of destruction and loss of life will continue.
How do I view the situation?
I believe that Israel had a right to defend it self and to take action against Hezbollah. No country should have to put up with the attacks that Hezbollah have been waging against the Israeli state over many years. Along with their allies in Syria and Iran, Hezbollah are hell bent on the destruction of Israel and their building up of military arms over the past few years has showed that many within their organisation are intent on waging war. I believe that some of the action carried out by Israel was proportionate given the security threats they faced.
Where I believe that the action may have gone too far is in the bombing of key infrastructure like bridges and the airport in Beirut. The trail of destruction in this city, which is not near the Israeli border, will have an effect for years to come. This may potentially have the effect of destabilising Lebanon a country that has recently only got back on it's feet and removed the Syrian influence from Government. If the UN decide to withdraw and the scenes in Lebanon today are worrying, the civil war could re-start again along with the further destruction of Lebanon and increased levels of instability within the country. However if Hezbollah remain intent on continuing their bombing, then Israel should have the right to defend itself, but if this does happen the situation will only worsen with losses mounting on both sides.
A ceasefire does need to happen and soon, Hezbellah should cease their operations and return the kidnapped soldier and Israel should stop the bombing. The longer this goes on, the worse it can only get and the events of today demonstrate this point.
This region is crying out for stability, we need an independent Palestine but with a secure Israel. As a state Israel needs to feel secure from the threats it faces and until that is the case progress in the Middle East will prove elusive. Long-term military action is in the interests of no one and if the region is to prosper, security and stability is the only way forward.
How do I view the situation?
I believe that Israel had a right to defend it self and to take action against Hezbollah. No country should have to put up with the attacks that Hezbollah have been waging against the Israeli state over many years. Along with their allies in Syria and Iran, Hezbollah are hell bent on the destruction of Israel and their building up of military arms over the past few years has showed that many within their organisation are intent on waging war. I believe that some of the action carried out by Israel was proportionate given the security threats they faced.
Where I believe that the action may have gone too far is in the bombing of key infrastructure like bridges and the airport in Beirut. The trail of destruction in this city, which is not near the Israeli border, will have an effect for years to come. This may potentially have the effect of destabilising Lebanon a country that has recently only got back on it's feet and removed the Syrian influence from Government. If the UN decide to withdraw and the scenes in Lebanon today are worrying, the civil war could re-start again along with the further destruction of Lebanon and increased levels of instability within the country. However if Hezbollah remain intent on continuing their bombing, then Israel should have the right to defend itself, but if this does happen the situation will only worsen with losses mounting on both sides.
A ceasefire does need to happen and soon, Hezbellah should cease their operations and return the kidnapped soldier and Israel should stop the bombing. The longer this goes on, the worse it can only get and the events of today demonstrate this point.
This region is crying out for stability, we need an independent Palestine but with a secure Israel. As a state Israel needs to feel secure from the threats it faces and until that is the case progress in the Middle East will prove elusive. Long-term military action is in the interests of no one and if the region is to prosper, security and stability is the only way forward.
posted by Martin Whelton at 8:20 pm
3 Comments:
One of the first sensible analyses of the situation I have seen..
"I believe that some of the action carried out by Israel was proportionate given the security threats they faced."
Therefore, in other words, the action was disproportionate. If only some of the response was proportionate, then the response was disproportionate. Why equivocate?
"Hezbollah are hell bent on the destruction of Israel" - is that true? Can you back this up, at all?
And...
"No country should have to put up with the attacks that Hezbollah have been waging against the Israeli state over many years."
What on Earth are you talking about? Tell me something about these Hezbollah attacks - not since the development of the current crisis, but 'over many years'.
"I believe that some of the action carried out by Israel was proportionate given the security threats they faced."
This is selective commenting, I belived that some of the action was justified but have my doubts about some of the bombing of key infrastructure in Beirut.
"Hezbollah are hell bent on the destruction of Israel" - is that true? Can you back this up, at all?
Yes through continued acts of terrorism and their backing from an Iranian regime that has publicly stated it's wish to see the state of Israel wiped out.
"No country should have to put up with the attacks that Hezbollah have been waging against the Israeli state over many years."
What on Earth are you talking about? Tell me something about these Hezbollah attacks - not since the development of the current crisis, but 'over many years'.
Hezbollah have been carrying out terrorist acts against Israel over many years, since 1982. If we were faced with a country on our borders carrying out sucide bombing missions on a regular basis or firing weapons into ourcountry, I'm sure any country would take action in order to defend ourself.
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