I made an interview to one of the main Hezbollah's member and asked him about fighting in two battle field (ISIL & Israil). He sayed, Hizbollah in Syria is using it's informal forces. He also promised, it is not necessary for Hizbollah to use it's main commandos.
1
I am absolutely not advocating any bloodsheds in ME or anywhere else for that matter. But Hezbollah had to act. Should they have sat out this outrageous and unprovoked attack on their senior military wings it would have impaired their credibility.
Further, It was high time for someone to send a message to that rogue leader that he does not have a free hand to attack whom ever he pleases.
Faramarz Fathi
Further, It was high time for someone to send a message to that rogue leader that he does not have a free hand to attack whom ever he pleases.
Faramarz Fathi
2
Just what the middle east needs. Israel in the middle of Sunni-Shiite fight in the middle east. Well, at least Israel will find out whether taking the Sunni side as it seems to have done by openly coming out on the Saudi-Sunni side against Iran was the right thing to do. But please, keep US out of it.
1
What in the world are you talking about? Hezbolah and Israel have been enemies for many many years now. The cross-border incidents are nothing new and have nothing to do with the Sunni-Shia conflict.
3
The contradictions in relationships between Washington and Tel-Aviv...Convergence of Iran with the White House and the sharpening of conflict between Hezbollah and Israel! Doesn't it seem strange: all these things at the same period of time?
Oh puhlease...Israel and Hezbollah. Israel and Lebanon. Israel and Syria. Israel and Iran...If you were to turn this into an algebra equation, who would be the common denominator?
How on earth are we supposed to be concerned with Israel when Israelis knew Bibi planned to smack our President in the kisser by schmoozing with Boehner and the GOP?
Should we care about yet another in the 5,000 year old history of war between Israelis and any country stupid enough to come within 2 feet of Israeli land? Not that Israel wouldn't come within 2 feet of land that doesn't belong to them.
How on earth are we supposed to be concerned with Israel when Israelis knew Bibi planned to smack our President in the kisser by schmoozing with Boehner and the GOP?
Should we care about yet another in the 5,000 year old history of war between Israelis and any country stupid enough to come within 2 feet of Israeli land? Not that Israel wouldn't come within 2 feet of land that doesn't belong to them.
1
Israel has full legitimation for self-defence. Hesbollah is aterror organization and Israel can't ignore while Hezbolla attack it's army and people. Israel should defence itself. As you can understand Israel didn't try to attack citizens, attackers only. but Hesbollah tryed attack Israeli people who just want to live in peace in their country.
9
Classic overreach by Netanyahu and his fellow extremists in their pathetic attempts to garner votes they escalate war as a tool to spin the campaign, quell dissent, and make the election an exercise in nationalism. A truly "Wag the Dog" moment.
For one, any invasion by Israel would be small and unlike Gaza rapidly unsustainable especially given the fact Israel does not exclusively control the borders. Hezbollah would quickly find insurgents across the spectrum to dislodge Israeli forces.
Such is the short-sightedness of Netanyahu and his party, as they attempt to force their unrealistic vision on both their great nation and neighboring countries.
For one, any invasion by Israel would be small and unlike Gaza rapidly unsustainable especially given the fact Israel does not exclusively control the borders. Hezbollah would quickly find insurgents across the spectrum to dislodge Israeli forces.
Such is the short-sightedness of Netanyahu and his party, as they attempt to force their unrealistic vision on both their great nation and neighboring countries.
3
Here's another major irony reported by the NYTimes:
"For Israel, the exchange comes at a precarious time: seven weeks before an election, and amid American-led negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program."
"Israel had been bracing for a response since the Jan. 18 airstrike on a convoy in the Syrian part of the Golan that killed the Iranian general and the six Hezbollah fighters, including Jihad Mughniyeh, the son of its slain military commander."
Is there anyone in Israel or the U. S. Congress that does not believe that this was a major provocation instituted by Mr. Chutzpah (Benjamin Netanyahu) that was calculated by him to disrupt or destroy "American-led negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program?" Mr. Netanyahu has never made a secret of the fact that he wants a military solution by the United States and Israel to end forever Iran's nuclear program. What do you think, John Boehner?
"For Israel, the exchange comes at a precarious time: seven weeks before an election, and amid American-led negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program."
"Israel had been bracing for a response since the Jan. 18 airstrike on a convoy in the Syrian part of the Golan that killed the Iranian general and the six Hezbollah fighters, including Jihad Mughniyeh, the son of its slain military commander."
Is there anyone in Israel or the U. S. Congress that does not believe that this was a major provocation instituted by Mr. Chutzpah (Benjamin Netanyahu) that was calculated by him to disrupt or destroy "American-led negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program?" Mr. Netanyahu has never made a secret of the fact that he wants a military solution by the United States and Israel to end forever Iran's nuclear program. What do you think, John Boehner?
5
Why are you asking what Boehner thinks?
Thinking is not his style.
Thinking is not his style.
Terrorists, even if they are fighting terrorists, are fair game if they have been a continual thorn in your side. We must remember that Hezbollah is fighting for Iran.
1
"[Are] you saying we are indirectly at war with Israel? I mean, if we are at war with ISIS and Al Qaeda, and Israel is fighting on their side, isn't that the conclusion?"
Of course Israel isn't fighting alongside ISIS and Al Qaeda. But Israel supports them by encouraging the US to go to war against Assad, who IS fighting them. Israel tells the US: "Assad bad man. Go kill Assad."
That's what happened in Libya: "Qaddafi bad man. Go kill Qaddafi." And so we did. And the group we supported showed its "gratitude" by murdering our ambassador and creating lawless chaos in Libya.
But is that a bad thing in Libya? Depends on your point of view. Have you heard any talk of Libya's Islamist rebels turning their ire toward Israel, or are they too busy fighting among themselves and for control of Libya?
Of course Israel isn't fighting alongside ISIS and Al Qaeda. But Israel supports them by encouraging the US to go to war against Assad, who IS fighting them. Israel tells the US: "Assad bad man. Go kill Assad."
That's what happened in Libya: "Qaddafi bad man. Go kill Qaddafi." And so we did. And the group we supported showed its "gratitude" by murdering our ambassador and creating lawless chaos in Libya.
But is that a bad thing in Libya? Depends on your point of view. Have you heard any talk of Libya's Islamist rebels turning their ire toward Israel, or are they too busy fighting among themselves and for control of Libya?
The new NYTimes article has this information:
"Security is Mr. Netanyahu’s strong suit, so the threat of a conflagration could benefit him at the ballot box."
What a surprise that the article contains the following paragraph:
Israel had been bracing for a response since the Jan. 18 airstrike on a convoy in the Syrian part of the Golan that killed the Iranian general and the six Hezbollah fighters, including Jihad Mughniyeh, the son of its slain military commander. Kamel Wazne, a Lebanese political analyst, said that attack constituted “a major breach” of Israel’s 1974 cease-fire with Syria and of a tacit agreement not to engage Hezbollah inside Syria. He said that Hezbollah felt its nemesis was changing the “rules of the game.”
Only two Israeli soldiers have been killed thus far. According to the article:
Jonathan Spyer, an international affairs specialist at the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya says: “The Israeli public doesn’t object to military operations if they’re quick and clean, but the last thing you want to do is go into elections in the middle of a bloody war like the summer of 2006.”
Be careful, Mr. Chutzpah, you have to keep Israeli military operations "quick and clean."
"Security is Mr. Netanyahu’s strong suit, so the threat of a conflagration could benefit him at the ballot box."
What a surprise that the article contains the following paragraph:
Israel had been bracing for a response since the Jan. 18 airstrike on a convoy in the Syrian part of the Golan that killed the Iranian general and the six Hezbollah fighters, including Jihad Mughniyeh, the son of its slain military commander. Kamel Wazne, a Lebanese political analyst, said that attack constituted “a major breach” of Israel’s 1974 cease-fire with Syria and of a tacit agreement not to engage Hezbollah inside Syria. He said that Hezbollah felt its nemesis was changing the “rules of the game.”
Only two Israeli soldiers have been killed thus far. According to the article:
Jonathan Spyer, an international affairs specialist at the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya says: “The Israeli public doesn’t object to military operations if they’re quick and clean, but the last thing you want to do is go into elections in the middle of a bloody war like the summer of 2006.”
Be careful, Mr. Chutzpah, you have to keep Israeli military operations "quick and clean."
3
I don't see the Times mention that Israeli soldiers were also wounded except for the picture of one soldier. Further, the papers use of the term "fighters" implies moral equality-Hezbollah is committed to the destrcution of Israel, civilains and soldiers alike.
5
Rhetoric aside, Israel has definitely killed and injured its "share" of civilians. Deeds matter too!
2
Stop misleading the world, with words like "destruction" in the context of Hezbollah. Hezbollah is committed only to the LIBERATION of the lands of Palestine. Why would anybody want to destroy their own country. It is the Zionists who are bent on the destruction of Arab lands.
2
There is a very serious problem with humanism of Israeli operations. They do not pay attention to the fact that during their attacks they killed a very large number of civilians and the situation with the peacemaker just another example of this...
3
Well, it's a war, people die when they take part in that. Hezbolla just cannot win it, they are not strong enough, Israel has too much forces if to count help that US relieves it. I think their actual goal is keeping a country in a constant fear, terrorizing it without allowing respite. They're doing it well, I should say, maybe right now they're increasing their forces for a powerful strike. What confuses me, is the EU decision to exclude Hezbollah from the list of terror organizations.
2
"For one Hezbollah loyalist in southern Lebanon whose family lost a house in the 2006 war — a woman who asked to be identified only by her first and middle name, Aya Hussein, to avoid repercussions when abroad — the events Wednesday ushered in a new era in which “we are the scary ones, not the scared.”
At the end of the day it might all come down that. Everyone wanting to be the one who says that.
At the end of the day it might all come down that. Everyone wanting to be the one who says that.
4
The status of the Sheba farms is disputed. Ignoring the Israeli claim to have annexed the land, both Lebanon and Syria claim it as there land. Following the last Israel Lebanon war Israel retired from all Lebanese territory. Israel did not retire from the Sheba Farms as the UN declared it Syrian territory.
3
appendix to this: the last two generations of Assad family rulers in Syria, consider all of Lebanon to be part of Syria. So does Hezbollah in the "defending of Lebanon" and so does Iran. Their last "Quneitra Martyrs" attack had nothing to do with any Lebanese territory dispute. Quneitra is more to the south, towards central Golan Heights UNIFIL border with Syria. Everything to do with Israel frustrating their efforts to establish military presence together with Iran IRGC, vs. Israeli forces and population on the Golan.
The pretext is about fighting the jihadists aligned against the Assad regime, instead of fighting them in and around Damascus itself.
The pretext is about fighting the jihadists aligned against the Assad regime, instead of fighting them in and around Damascus itself.
2
Israel generally attacks someone in the run up to an election - it usually benefits the incumbents. Why attack Hezbollah in Syria? They are the most efficient force in western Syria fighting ISIS, which you'd think would be in Israel's interests. It seems it's in Israel's best interests to further destabilise the region. No change there then.
5
It was a horrible terror attack and the terrorists behind it should be put in a prison. 2 soldiers have been killed for nothing but protecting their home. Hezbollah is a terror organization that supported by iran and should be stopped. When Hezbollah will attack israel from syria and\or lebanon these countries should be responsible for Hezbollah’s actions.
5
Do you think Israel should give back territory that the UN says belongs to Syria (Shebaa Farms, for example)? Would that be a helpful display of good faith by Israel? Or does Israel need that territory to defend itself?
2
Hezbollah is a Lebanese Shi'a militia and a political party in that country's parliament. Hezbollah is in Syria on orders of their IRGC paymaster. This is the majority view of all the other Lebanese citizens who would like to keep their country in one piece. They see what is happening in Iraq and Syria. Now give "this land is my land..." back to the First Nations and stop circling the wagons, looking for excuses to write comments about "good faith" and Israel..
2
oh Oz, how about the Lebanese lives lost and the Spanish life lost, why are you placing only importance on the Israeli's lives lost. Are they worth more than any other ethnicity? You sound like one of those Israeli's alwasy holding up that "we are the victims" card. Just remember Israel attacked first.
1
Hezbollah is fighting in Syria in order to develop highways that will allow the free flow of arms and missiles from Iran to attack Israel and expect Israel to stay with their arms crossed watching them. Israel attacks such activities and then they take revenge outside Syria, on Israel territory. Hezbollah fighters will now hide and be offered refuge among the civilian population. Israel has to attack Hezbollah within civilian population because that is where they are being harbored by the civilian resident. Israel is a war criminal. If Hezbollah fought in Syria on whichever side because they believed in whatsoever cause and not to use the fighting in Syria for a different agenda, Israel would not care whatsoever. If then Hezbollah would react to Israel action within Syria, also there would be no problem. But they must attack and kill Israeli soldiers in Israeli territory. Then instead of returning to Syria they go and hide among the civilian population. This fighting will never end until one side totally annihilates the other; like the Romas did in Carthage that finally put an end to hundred of years of Punic wars.
2
I note that the NYTimes has engaged in a major re-write of this article.
The reader should note that in the 4th highest recommended comment by Andrew Arato (made 22 hours ago) he said: "It takes the article many paragraphs to admit that these attacks were responses to the previous, severe Israeli strike."
In today's same article, the first paragraph leads: "Hezbollah antitank missiles killed two Israeli soldiers as they drove in a disputed area along the Lebanese border on Wednesday, a sharp retaliation for Israel’s deadly drone strike last week that killed six Hezbollah fighters and an Iranian general."
The new first paragraph still leaves out the fact that one of the other "six Hezbollah fighters" killed was Jihad Mughniyeh, the son of Imad Mughniyeh, a top Hezbollah military commander who was assassinated in Damascus in 2008 in an attack that Hezbollah attributes to Israel. A senior Hezbollah commander was also said to have been killed.
The reader should note that in the 4th highest recommended comment by Andrew Arato (made 22 hours ago) he said: "It takes the article many paragraphs to admit that these attacks were responses to the previous, severe Israeli strike."
In today's same article, the first paragraph leads: "Hezbollah antitank missiles killed two Israeli soldiers as they drove in a disputed area along the Lebanese border on Wednesday, a sharp retaliation for Israel’s deadly drone strike last week that killed six Hezbollah fighters and an Iranian general."
The new first paragraph still leaves out the fact that one of the other "six Hezbollah fighters" killed was Jihad Mughniyeh, the son of Imad Mughniyeh, a top Hezbollah military commander who was assassinated in Damascus in 2008 in an attack that Hezbollah attributes to Israel. A senior Hezbollah commander was also said to have been killed.
5
Well US taxpayers..prepare to open your cheque books again because your spoilt child, who is now your boss will start another conflict soon, since that is the only thing that this spoilt child knows. No manners, no respect for who pays its bills and most of all after taking everything, kicks you all between the legs.
5
For goodness sake! Why do all these players need to be so macho. People are dying while they posture. They should all be ashamed and isolated rather than being kept in power.
2
Of course Israel should be allowed to live and prosper. But the people attacking them also have legit grievances that should be addressed. Until we truly understand the underlining situation with all the parties being open and honest how can something like this ever end?
Nobody is right and nobody is wrong but children are dying. When will we all learn?
Nobody is right and nobody is wrong but children are dying. When will we all learn?
1
I don't think it's a coincidence that the escalation of the conflict took place during the establishment of relations between the White House and Iran. This means that Obama conducts a dishonest policy towards allies.
1
The all out war in the middle east is coming
This was a fully foreseeable consequence of Israel's recent unprovoked attack on Lebanese military convoy.
Israel acts against diplomatic etiquette, good faith, and international law, yet by some twisted logic still claims to uphold some kind of morality.
Without $8billion every year in military aid from US taxes Israel would have an incentive to find more peaceful solutions.
Israel acts against diplomatic etiquette, good faith, and international law, yet by some twisted logic still claims to uphold some kind of morality.
Without $8billion every year in military aid from US taxes Israel would have an incentive to find more peaceful solutions.
20
Without our money Israel would be taken off the face of the earth by these radicals. They have made it quite apparent that that's their desire. Apparently that's what the liberal left wants from what I've seen in the comment section. The latest major war they had was unprovoked attack by Hezbollah but apparently that's okay. Even during cease fires Hezbollah continued to kill Israel';s people but that's okay. We have no allies in that area. I would suggest we keep Israel as one. Would suggest staying friends with the people who have the same enemy. Hezbollah wants us gone too.
6
“ISRAEL’S RECENT UNPROVOKED ATTACK”?! “Without $8 billion a year in military aid from US taxes Israel would have an incentive to find more peaceful solutions.”?!!
Israel has made NUMEROUS attempts to find peaceful solution.Israel had ceded land,repeatedly,which no other nation is ever called upon to do, in exchange for peace that never comes.Israel has released thousands of terrorists in exchange for a “peace” than never comes.
Have you forgotten your own country’s history ?Your former Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain brokered a “Land for Peace “deal with Hitler.Hitler had promised peace ,in exchange for the Sudentenland.No U.S. taxpayer dollars were involved.
That particular “peaceful solution”is now referred to as “The Second World War.”
Before you vilify Israel,why don’t you familiarize yourself with your own country’s history . A Partner in peace is required.Israel does not have one,any more than Chamberlain had one in Hitler.
Israel has made NUMEROUS attempts to find peaceful solution.Israel had ceded land,repeatedly,which no other nation is ever called upon to do, in exchange for peace that never comes.Israel has released thousands of terrorists in exchange for a “peace” than never comes.
Have you forgotten your own country’s history ?Your former Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain brokered a “Land for Peace “deal with Hitler.Hitler had promised peace ,in exchange for the Sudentenland.No U.S. taxpayer dollars were involved.
That particular “peaceful solution”is now referred to as “The Second World War.”
Before you vilify Israel,why don’t you familiarize yourself with your own country’s history . A Partner in peace is required.Israel does not have one,any more than Chamberlain had one in Hitler.
7
Israel should leave Hezbollah fight ISIS rather than attack them in Syria. Hezbollah is fighting an unwinnable civil war that will drain a significant portion of their resources. Israel's attack on Assad forces may drag Iran into the conflict. If Iran sends troops in Syria and Iraq, it may well the the beginning of a third world war, as Saudi's and or the north africans will find this unacceptable.
2
This debate over Iran's role in the Middle East is very healthy. It forces us to think what happens to Israel when we accept Iran as the regional power, as President Obama has indicated that he will. We need to consider this issue and not simply solve our problems at the expense of Israel. Iran uses antisemitism to end the sectarian strife in the region among Muslims. That leaves Israel in a very vulnerable position.
3
Netanyahu set this up by sending drones into Syria on January 18 as part of his electioneering platform. He will now take the moral ground citing Israel's security issues to boost his flagging ratings.
Another stunt with many more innocent civilians to die as he and Lieberman have promised a disproportionate response. Typical Netanyahu.
Another stunt with many more innocent civilians to die as he and Lieberman have promised a disproportionate response. Typical Netanyahu.
6
Sounds like an Obama strategy to me.
1
In practical terms, Hezbollah is no different from ISIS, which is no different from Hamas, which is no different from Islamic Jihad, which is no different from Boko Haram, which is no different from, (fill in the name of any other Islamic extremist group, or groups.)
They are all against the very existence of Israel. They all claim to be fighting to fulfill the mandates of the Prophet Muhammed, contained within in the Holy Quran. And, should they all wind up hair splitting, and fighting each other over politics, and real estate, they usually label the resulting dead muslim victims as martyrs for the greater good of Islam.
They are all against the very existence of Israel. They all claim to be fighting to fulfill the mandates of the Prophet Muhammed, contained within in the Holy Quran. And, should they all wind up hair splitting, and fighting each other over politics, and real estate, they usually label the resulting dead muslim victims as martyrs for the greater good of Islam.
7
The Spanish soldier in Lebanon was killed by Israeli forces. He was in his lookout post and the Israeli army had its coordinates ( there where no clushes ). Why did Israeli army killed the Spanish army? It is not clear, but I doubt it was a mistake.
7
Israel must stop funding militants to take down their political opponents. Israel must stop attacking its neighbors. Israel must stop trying to dominate and control American policy. Israel must stop committing crimes against the Palestinians. Israel is not the victim. I vote Israel most likely to start WWIII. Of course, there will always be the delusional people who paint Israel as the victim. The lies are no longer working. It's time to try a new approach: ACCOUNTABILITY
8
The reason Hezbollah kills 2 Israeli soldiers near Lebanon border was retaliation escalated by Israel’s deadly drone strike last week that killed six Hezbollah fighters and an Iranian General...
2
As a Jewish person, with friends and colleagues in Israel.....I think Israel should go after Hezbollah, "The Party of Allah", with everything they can muster. Now's the time. Those fundamentalist Shi'ite forces are Jew haters, and intolerant of everybody who is not Shi'a, including non-Shi'a Muslims.
5
Victor, you're kidding me. I think you have that mistaken. It's the extreme Sunni's if you look at the major ME probelms they are started by the Sunni's are you for real? Go read up mate. Stop playing that stupid Israel Victim card. The shiites just want to live a normal life without being attacked by Sunni's who are currently attacking the world. Then comes Israel, trying to take focus of the real Problem ISIS (who are sunni's) Just so Israel can look like the victim again.
1
again "...drove in a disputed area...." is an untruth that should be corrected.
The UN and UNIFIL published this Blue Line border map showing what is in Lebanon and what is in Israel:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Line_%28Lebanon%29#mediaviewer/File:Bl...
The IDF convoy that was attacked traveled a road well within Israeli territory,
and this was confirmed by UNIFIL.
The UN and UNIFIL published this Blue Line border map showing what is in Lebanon and what is in Israel:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Line_%28Lebanon%29#mediaviewer/File:Bl...
The IDF convoy that was attacked traveled a road well within Israeli territory,
and this was confirmed by UNIFIL.
12
So why is this NEWS?
The Prime Minister of Israel is trying to derail nuclear disarmament talks with Iran -- by going behind Obama's back, and speaking to the US Congress (at least the GOP half) on his own. I don't want my tax dollars wasted on these double-crossing hypocrites -- Israel.
We have bent over backwards, spending trillions and losing thousands of our own soldiers' lives trying to keep the Arabs from "pushing Israel into the sea."
And this is the thanks we get?
Sheldon Anderson does not own America.
John Boehner has a 1000 times more arrogance and hubris than what he accuses Obama of having.
And the GOOP would not have gotten all their Congress seats without the dark money donations from the Kochs, and the other 80 billionaires who, combined, own more wealth the the poorer 3.5 billion people in the world combined.
I don't want a single cent of my tax money spent on body guards for Netanyahoo coming to my capitol, to give a speach that the US really has no interest in hearing. He can make a YouTube of it.
The Prime Minister of Israel is trying to derail nuclear disarmament talks with Iran -- by going behind Obama's back, and speaking to the US Congress (at least the GOP half) on his own. I don't want my tax dollars wasted on these double-crossing hypocrites -- Israel.
We have bent over backwards, spending trillions and losing thousands of our own soldiers' lives trying to keep the Arabs from "pushing Israel into the sea."
And this is the thanks we get?
Sheldon Anderson does not own America.
John Boehner has a 1000 times more arrogance and hubris than what he accuses Obama of having.
And the GOOP would not have gotten all their Congress seats without the dark money donations from the Kochs, and the other 80 billionaires who, combined, own more wealth the the poorer 3.5 billion people in the world combined.
I don't want a single cent of my tax money spent on body guards for Netanyahoo coming to my capitol, to give a speach that the US really has no interest in hearing. He can make a YouTube of it.
18
I agree with much of what you say, but....
Support for Israel is just as strong among Democratic leaders as it is among Republican leaders. Chuck Schumer, Hillary Clinton, Robert Menendez, Dick Durbin -- Democrats all. Every time Israel asks for money, they say yes -- and sometimes offer even more than Israel asks for. Every time Israel wants some resolution signed by House or Senate members, the names of one or more of those Democrats will appear right at the top.
The two major parties are not different in this respect.
Support for Israel is just as strong among Democratic leaders as it is among Republican leaders. Chuck Schumer, Hillary Clinton, Robert Menendez, Dick Durbin -- Democrats all. Every time Israel asks for money, they say yes -- and sometimes offer even more than Israel asks for. Every time Israel wants some resolution signed by House or Senate members, the names of one or more of those Democrats will appear right at the top.
The two major parties are not different in this respect.
The old instinct to blame the Jews is alive and well among the readers of the NYTimes. Only this can explain how the top rated comments are those that somehow manage to exonerate Hezbollah, a terrorist organization responsible for countless bloody attacks world-wide, and blame Israel for Hezbollah's attack that killed Israeli soldiers.
17
Criticizing Israel's actions is not the same as blaming Jews.
7
Fiona, what attacks have Hezbollah orchastrated around the world? I think you have that mistaken with the Extreme Sunni's organisations such as ISIS and Al-Qeada. But, its okay, Israeli's are always the victims. Not to worry about countless Muslims in Nigeria who were slaughtered not long ago, or the Shiite's in Iraq or got bombed or the Pakinstani kids who were shot at or the Lebanese Alawites killed in a bomb by the Extreme Sunni's. There are no other Victims besides the Jews.
1
"Hezbollah antitank missiles killed two Israeli soldiers as they drove in a disputed area along the Lebanese border on Wednesday...The attack ... threatened to incite a significant escalation."
When "Israel’s deadly drone strike" was reported last week, do you recall any mention that it "threatened to incite a significant escalation?" Do only Hezbollah attacks ""threaten to incite a significant escalation?"
When "Israel’s deadly drone strike" was reported last week, do you recall any mention that it "threatened to incite a significant escalation?" Do only Hezbollah attacks ""threaten to incite a significant escalation?"
14
"Israel needs to STOP helping ISIS and Al Qaeda in Syria."
Why? If Israel wants to keep its enemies fighting each other (rather than Israel), and Israel concludes that Assad has the upper hand in Syria, why wouldn't Israel help ISIS and Al Qaeda? What would YOU do if you had the same policy -- help Assad?
The question for the US is not whether it's good for ISRAEL to be opposing Assad (and thus helping ISIS) in Syria. The question for the US is whether that's good for the US.
Why? If Israel wants to keep its enemies fighting each other (rather than Israel), and Israel concludes that Assad has the upper hand in Syria, why wouldn't Israel help ISIS and Al Qaeda? What would YOU do if you had the same policy -- help Assad?
The question for the US is not whether it's good for ISRAEL to be opposing Assad (and thus helping ISIS) in Syria. The question for the US is whether that's good for the US.
2
"...why wouldn't Israel help ISIS and Al Qaeda?"
Thinker, are you saying we are indirectly at war with Israel? I mean, if we are at war with ISIS and Al Qaeda, and Israel is fighting on their side, isn't that the conclusion?
Thinker, are you saying we are indirectly at war with Israel? I mean, if we are at war with ISIS and Al Qaeda, and Israel is fighting on their side, isn't that the conclusion?
5
Sad to see how many commenters don't see the connection between dead US soldiers and Israeli aggression.
I pointed out that Hezbollah didn't exist until after Israel invaded Lebanon in 1982. An Israeli supporter responded that Hezbollah existed earlier -- that it was "said to" have carried out the bombing of the US Marines barracks in Beirut, which killed 241 US soldiers.
That happened AFTER, not before, Israel invaded Lebanon. That's my point: Israel invades Lebanon; the US supports Israel; 241 US soldiers die.
That's the point. Why in the world should 241 US soldiers have died for Israel? How many of those 241 soldiers knew they were dying for Israel? Or did most of them -- all of them, perhaps -- imagine in their last moments of life that they were dying for their own country -- the United States of America?
I pointed out that Hezbollah didn't exist until after Israel invaded Lebanon in 1982. An Israeli supporter responded that Hezbollah existed earlier -- that it was "said to" have carried out the bombing of the US Marines barracks in Beirut, which killed 241 US soldiers.
That happened AFTER, not before, Israel invaded Lebanon. That's my point: Israel invades Lebanon; the US supports Israel; 241 US soldiers die.
That's the point. Why in the world should 241 US soldiers have died for Israel? How many of those 241 soldiers knew they were dying for Israel? Or did most of them -- all of them, perhaps -- imagine in their last moments of life that they were dying for their own country -- the United States of America?
7
perhaps Thinker would like to refresh his memory about the US involvement in the Lebanese Civil War (1983–1984), and after the IDF withdrew from southeast of Beirut ?
It is part of the story of the USS New Jersey, an Iowa-class battleship :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_New_Jersey_%28BB-62%29
The memory of the fallen US personnel in the US Embassy in Beirut and the Marines who served there should not be muddied by one irresponsible post.
It is part of the story of the USS New Jersey, an Iowa-class battleship :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_New_Jersey_%28BB-62%29
The memory of the fallen US personnel in the US Embassy in Beirut and the Marines who served there should not be muddied by one irresponsible post.
6
MHO,
FYI, the Lebanese Civil War started in 1975, 7 years before Israel invaded Lebanon, 8 years before the US Marines barracks bombing. Of course we all paid attention to that war right from the start. But we didn't send US troops to die there until after Israel chose to get involved. That's the point.
FYI, the Lebanese Civil War started in 1975, 7 years before Israel invaded Lebanon, 8 years before the US Marines barracks bombing. Of course we all paid attention to that war right from the start. But we didn't send US troops to die there until after Israel chose to get involved. That's the point.
1
Sad to hear someone got shot but this endless battle between needs to stop. Why the constant bombardment? Israel needs to strike peace. Give the terrorists what they want and end this war. Israel is quickly losing its credibility. US is losing its credibility.
3
'Give the terrorists what they want?' Well, since what they want is no Israel, Israel can't really give them what they want. Right? Israel doesn't have much choice when it comes.to Hezbollah amd Hamas.
10
Iran under the guise of Hezbollah is at it again.
Just wait till Iran has nuclear arms. My bet is that Hezbollah will be given access to these very quickly - then its the start of the end.
Just wait till Iran has nuclear arms. My bet is that Hezbollah will be given access to these very quickly - then its the start of the end.
9
"While both sides had domestic reasons for needing to show a strong hand, neither is eager for another all-out battle..." Has Bibi ever not been eager for an all out battle? Especially when he is down at the polls?
7
Actually, this summer, Bibi was not so eager to get involved in Gaza (not because he is a peacenik but because it is a quagmire).
As someone who actually lives here, knows Hebrew, knows the history and understands more and more how complex the situation is (especially
now with all the chaos in the Middle East), I am a bit surprised by the smugness of some who live far away (this applies to both the left and right wing)
As someone who actually lives here, knows Hebrew, knows the history and understands more and more how complex the situation is (especially
now with all the chaos in the Middle East), I am a bit surprised by the smugness of some who live far away (this applies to both the left and right wing)
4
More of this coming on the heels of Charlie Hebdo, it does not look like there's much hope for Muslims living together with Christians and Jews. The Muslim and Western populations need to separate until this business of radical (murderous) Islam stops. Muslims themselves need to stop it. No one else can. If Muslims see they are excluded from travel and commerce in the developed world, they will have motivation to fix this problem. Until then, the populations need to be separated by safety zones, repatriation and exclusion at the borders. The US and UK in particular need reform commercial and immigration policies accordingly and to learn from Israeli security practices. Above all, the West should put this where it belongs, in the lap of Saudi Arabia and its Wahhabi movement (where all terrorism starts). The Saudis play both sides, bombing ISL and taking Western oil money then secretly giving their billions to ISL and al Qaeda. The Saudi leadership vows to stop terrorism in English-language pronouncements on BBC and then fans the flames of Wahhabi fundamentalism in Arabic on al Jazeera. The terrorist religious movement feeds on conflict. Stop the conflict by separation. We're all like Israel now.
8
The blatant pro-Israeli comments at this point are just ridiculous. Does anyone here not remember or not know that Israel attacked and killed several Hezbollah members along with an Iranian general just a week ago for no apparent reason ?
For all the blind Israel supporters asking what they were doing, first of all what business is it of Israel to kill someone who is on their side of the border regardless of WHAT they are doing. Second, in case all the numb-skulls have forgotten, Iran and Hezbollah are fighting the US created ISIS terrorists in Syria, so why wouldn't they be there ?
Could anyone imagine killing someone from a neighboring country on their side of the border and then claiming well what where they doing there on THEIR side of the border in the first place. Well let the preemption being.
For all the blind Israel supporters asking what they were doing, first of all what business is it of Israel to kill someone who is on their side of the border regardless of WHAT they are doing. Second, in case all the numb-skulls have forgotten, Iran and Hezbollah are fighting the US created ISIS terrorists in Syria, so why wouldn't they be there ?
Could anyone imagine killing someone from a neighboring country on their side of the border and then claiming well what where they doing there on THEIR side of the border in the first place. Well let the preemption being.
14
Evidence US 'created ISIS?'
5
"Israeli regime? Why not check-in first with the people of Lebanon to find out what they'd give to be rid of Hezbollah?"
I tried to ask some Lebanese people that very question, but I couldn't find anybody at home. Seems they were all out demonstrating in favor of Hezbollah. Someone said there was also some election going on, and the locals were all out at the polls, voting for Hezbollah.
What do you think -- should I try again tomorrow?
I tried to ask some Lebanese people that very question, but I couldn't find anybody at home. Seems they were all out demonstrating in favor of Hezbollah. Someone said there was also some election going on, and the locals were all out at the polls, voting for Hezbollah.
What do you think -- should I try again tomorrow?
2
While you were checking out in Northern California, a lonely soul did a similar experiment in Virginia. The finding there was that all the Zionists were not available. Non availability was explained as follows:
1. Taken El-Al flight to join the Zionist Army's planned invasion of Syria
2. Easy had promised MOSSAD to write 10 letters supporting the Zionist cause in the NYT.
1. Taken El-Al flight to join the Zionist Army's planned invasion of Syria
2. Easy had promised MOSSAD to write 10 letters supporting the Zionist cause in the NYT.
1
A commenter frames the debate as:
"...the current worldwide war of civilization against fundamentalist religion. People who stand up for any fundamentalist religion are...on the wrong side of this conflict. And this conflict can only be solved by the total disempowerment of fundamentalism."
Can "fundamentalism" be better expressed than with a demand that the state be religious? When ISIS answers that "yes," the world cringes. But isn't that exactly how Israel answers the same question?
"...the current worldwide war of civilization against fundamentalist religion. People who stand up for any fundamentalist religion are...on the wrong side of this conflict. And this conflict can only be solved by the total disempowerment of fundamentalism."
Can "fundamentalism" be better expressed than with a demand that the state be religious? When ISIS answers that "yes," the world cringes. But isn't that exactly how Israel answers the same question?
8
Nope. Jewish identity is both ethnic and religious. The Jews are a people. And because of the absence in Judaism of proseletyzing/recruiting, the 'race' of Judaism is quite ethnically consistent with it origins, relatively speaking. So, keeping Israel a Jewish State is more akin to keeping a low immigration rate in Finland than it is to ISIS murderously trying to make everyone in the world be religious adherents to Islam. It's absurd and probably racist to compare Israel to ISIS.
10
Trying to equate ISIS and the Zionist Entity is absurd. ISIS is trying to liberate the lands of Palestine; Zionists are trying to perpetuate colonialism by occupying the land of Palestine.
2
Actually, at the moment ISIS is not trying, in any major way, to "liberate" palestine. In fact, ISIS has criticized Hamas in the past for it's focus on Jews. According to ISIS, first death to the Shia (and other non-Sunni minorities) in Muslim-held lands who won't convert, then the Jews in Israel.
2
Contrary to what this article says the United Nations itself said some years back that Israel had fully withdrawn from Lebanon. But Hezbollah needs to keep some grievance alive to justify warfare.
14
The article reads: "The attack had echoes of the cross-border raid by Hezbollah in 2006 that precipitated the war that summer . . . . At the time, Hezbollah fired an antitank missile at an Israeli border patrol."
Less than 2 weeks after Israel assassinated an Iranian General, the son of a high-level Hezbollah military commander who had been assassinated by the Israeli's years before, a current commander in Hezbollah, and a number of soldiers, this event occurred. The Israeli military commander sent Israeli soldiers in two "UNARMORED" vehicles down a road "about a mile from the [Lebanon] border" in an area "Lebanon considers occupied by Israel."
I wonder if Netanyahu will dismiss the Israeli military commander responsible for creating this scenario of death.
Then, Israeli artillery mistakenly killed "a Spanish soldier serving with the United Nations peacekeeping force."
"The peacekeeper was killed in an explosion at a United Nations base. Andrea Tenenti, a spokesman for the force, said all the parties knew the locations of the bases." "The Spanish ambassador to the United Nations told reporters that the peacekeeper had been killed by the Israeli artillery fire that followed rocket attacks from Lebanese territory."
"In Israel, the main television stations on Wednesday broadcast the events in the north live all day, much as they did during last summer’s 50-day war against Hamas in Gaza."
Elections take place on March 17. I trust that all citizens of Israel were watching.
Less than 2 weeks after Israel assassinated an Iranian General, the son of a high-level Hezbollah military commander who had been assassinated by the Israeli's years before, a current commander in Hezbollah, and a number of soldiers, this event occurred. The Israeli military commander sent Israeli soldiers in two "UNARMORED" vehicles down a road "about a mile from the [Lebanon] border" in an area "Lebanon considers occupied by Israel."
I wonder if Netanyahu will dismiss the Israeli military commander responsible for creating this scenario of death.
Then, Israeli artillery mistakenly killed "a Spanish soldier serving with the United Nations peacekeeping force."
"The peacekeeper was killed in an explosion at a United Nations base. Andrea Tenenti, a spokesman for the force, said all the parties knew the locations of the bases." "The Spanish ambassador to the United Nations told reporters that the peacekeeper had been killed by the Israeli artillery fire that followed rocket attacks from Lebanese territory."
"In Israel, the main television stations on Wednesday broadcast the events in the north live all day, much as they did during last summer’s 50-day war against Hamas in Gaza."
Elections take place on March 17. I trust that all citizens of Israel were watching.
4
It seems that good days of Israeli military is over to invade where and who it wants north, east, west now their power has shrinked only to bomb civilians like Qaza though they had failed access to gain ground to Qaza today Israel is unable to attack Hezbollah another time they should swallow this severe hit killing their soldiers, this game was election propoganda done by Netanyahu but may be he forgot what has happened to Perez in 1996 Qana Masacre.
4
This is the opening phase of the Wrath for Grapes of Wrath Operation conducted by Hezbollah. Remember in 1996, the Zionists killed 106 civilians under shelter in a United Nations compound. Chickens are coming home to roost.
Netanyahu is once again deliberating stoking war for political and militant ideological purposes. This is what many war criminals have been prosecuted for in the past; how much longer are American taxpayers supposed to fund this militant and his domestic lobby here?
14
Why do so many readers automatically side with the enemies of Israel?
13
Anti-semitism, no? Couldn't possibly be a disagreement on the merits, could it?
9
Cause they know the true reality and aren't ignorant like you.Did you know Hezbollah is democratically elected in Lebanon?. Or are you in favor of throwing over a democratically elected regime??
4
So Israel's Proser jumps up and down at the UN Security Council wanting Hezbollah condemned and disarmed, but the UNSC members know full well that the Hezbollah attack was AFTER the Israeli deadly attack on Hezbollah in the Golan Heights.
We will not forget who, once again, started the violence.
We will not forget who, once again, started the violence.
11
And I won't forget that you said "we".
2
Exactly. Hezbollah didn't even exist until Israel invaded Lebanon in 1982. In other words, not only is this Hezbollah attack a reaction to Israeli aggression -- Hezbollah's very existence is a reaction to Israeli aggression.
8
Hezbollah is a Shia organization, a militia and a political party in Lebanon's government. Hezbollah was set up by Shia Iran, after western powers facilitated the return of their fanatical clerical establishment back to Iran, from their banishment in Paris, France. After which, they removed the Shah, took over the US Embassy and terrorized the sitting US President, who then lost his reelection bid. The rest is history (for those who read and are educated).
7
Israel has not done very well in ground combat against prepared organized forces with adequate antitank and small arms equipment. Hezbollah in 2006 and Hamas in 2014 inflicted heavy casualties on the elite units and tanks which Israel used in land invasions, and drove them back. This article takes as gospel the pronouncements of Israeli intelligence, Israeli think tanks, and Israeli-aligned think tanks in the US. Hezbollah likely discounts this as propaganda, and would be very satisfied if the vaunted IDF tried another land assault and invasion.
5
It is a disputed area. But the deaths of two Israeli soldiers, regrettable as it is, gets far more ink than the many more numerous deaths of Palestinians weekly.
14
I had similar thoughts. There's a pretty steady stream of news of multiple people being blown up in one area of the mideast or another... why do these two deaths warrant the lead headline and the multitude of others don't?
5
Mainly because it is a pair of deaths far more likely to lead to a new war. That's the news. Many rockets, mortars and missiles land in Israel and are never reported in mainstream western media.
5
Israel's not looking to escalate but rest assured, the IDF will respond at a time and place of its own choosing. Hezbollah's giddy from reading - and believing - its press clips. This latest act of aggression will exact a heavy price from Lebanon.
7
Follow the money, who makes bank when the Middle East is destabilized?
7
Munitions manufacturers, hands down.
7
Looks like Netanyahu wants to stir up trouble so he could blame Iran and thereby try to sink the nuclear negotiations. The killing of an Iranian general was clearly a provocation designed for this. Hope more sane voices in the US can hold Netanyahu back.
15
The details as presented are hazy. There is a lot of background noise about recent past incidents, but the event itself is sort of kept low key.
Here is why, I think. Another, earlier report had Hezbollah claim the hit using NOT a missile but an anti-tank weaponry.
Bear in mind, in our madness we the USA have supplied numerous anti-tank weaponry to anti Assad forces in Syria. Chances are one those just got used to attack and kill Israeli soldiers.
Here is why, I think. Another, earlier report had Hezbollah claim the hit using NOT a missile but an anti-tank weaponry.
Bear in mind, in our madness we the USA have supplied numerous anti-tank weaponry to anti Assad forces in Syria. Chances are one those just got used to attack and kill Israeli soldiers.
3
...and the US wants an Nuclear agreement with Iran. That would be like getting into bed with Hezbollah! Good luck on that!
8
"Isreal is entitled to this area, since it was granted in 1948"
Ah, irony!
Personally I don't know whether this is true, but another commenter observed that Israel got upset about a Hezbollah rocket that landed in territory that was NOT given to Israel, territory that most of the world still says belongs to Syria.
Ah, irony!
Personally I don't know whether this is true, but another commenter observed that Israel got upset about a Hezbollah rocket that landed in territory that was NOT given to Israel, territory that most of the world still says belongs to Syria.
4
Syria forfeited that territory in a war it started. And no, most of the world does not "still says belongs to Syria."
3
"And no, most of the world does not "still says belongs to Syria."
Ah, is that so? So most of the world acknowledges that Israel now owns the Golan Heights? I guess I hadn't noticed -- possibly because I wasn't paying close enough attention, possibly because it's not true.
For the record, most of the world does NOT recognize Israel's seizure of the Golan Heights. Not sure how you reached a contrary conclusion on that one -- it's not really subject to any dispute.
Ah, is that so? So most of the world acknowledges that Israel now owns the Golan Heights? I guess I hadn't noticed -- possibly because I wasn't paying close enough attention, possibly because it's not true.
For the record, most of the world does NOT recognize Israel's seizure of the Golan Heights. Not sure how you reached a contrary conclusion on that one -- it's not really subject to any dispute.
4
Was Israel's attack on the military unit that included the Lebanese and Iranian general a defense of Israel by the Israeli Defense Force or a deliberate provocation of Iran for political purposes? With an Israeli election coming up and Netanyahu making a US visit at the behest of the House of Republicans, the timing seems less than coincidental. Could this be Netanyahu playing the international political game the way autocrats like: beat your chest to impress.
9
No.
3
Let us all remember, on Monday, January 19, 2015, Israel bombed Syria's Golan Heights that killed six Hezbollah members. Israel attacked first and Hezbollah stayed out of the Gaza war this past summer.
15
Sure I remember. People probably don't remember all this, but here's wikipedia's list of Hezbollah's rocket attacks on Israel:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Lebanese_rocket_attacks_on_Israel
Last one recorded was 8/25/14. Five months ago really isn't ancient history, so it could be said that Israel was merely responding to that. Hezbollah is not a group of innocent choirboys on a picnic.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Lebanese_rocket_attacks_on_Israel
Last one recorded was 8/25/14. Five months ago really isn't ancient history, so it could be said that Israel was merely responding to that. Hezbollah is not a group of innocent choirboys on a picnic.
12
Oh, good for Hezbollah. The Iranians ARE in Gaza. Their flag is all over the place and Haniyah calls them Gaza's ally. Please.
4
Good on you, Dan.
2
Israel needs to STOP helping ISIS and Al Qaeda in Syria. Hezbollah is the only group fighting ISIS and Al Qaeda on the ground inside Syria, a pivotal and important task.
Israel is undermining U.S. policy goals in the region, and the U.S. Congress should step up and tell Bibi when he comes for his prancing visitation.
Israel is undermining U.S. policy goals in the region, and the U.S. Congress should step up and tell Bibi when he comes for his prancing visitation.
18
Two Israeli soldiers killed, few Hezbollah fighters killed and more to come-all a collateral damage for Nethanyahu's re-election campaign.
8
I am definately not an expert on the history of this area of the world. But why does the USA need to be on one side or the other of this? I am not anti-semetic, but Isreal is entitled to this area, since it was granted in 1948, why? Should the US just stay out of it, let them all war with each other, sunni, shiite, jew, they all hate each other and see no reason not to exterminate each other. So why not let them all just have at it, let them do what nature and the animals that we are are heart do, and when its all over and there are only a few left standing, we can decide what we want to do with the entire area. Remember, its not about oil. We have more than enough to support our needs for millenium to come.
2
As an American you should know that when large numbers of European Jews sought to escape Nazi plans for their annihilation they were trapped in Europe as the result of anti-Semitic policies by the U.S. State Department effectively cut off all immigration. The Nazis urged resettlement of European Jewry in the land of Palestine; but the British, fearing that the Arabs were on the verge of openly siding with Hitler and hoping to appease them after 1936 (pogroms led by the Mufti of Jerusalem) refused to permit emigration to the Middle East at the 1938 Evian Conference. The Nazis were informed that European Jews would not be permitted to leave Europe in any significant numbers and the it was up to the Nazis to fashion a final solution of their own to their "jewish problem". Six million were killed who would have been spared had their been a Jewish homeland before 1948
3
Manray, initially the US was not involved and did not take sides. In the 1950s Egypt and the USSR became allies. The US and Israel become allies in response . The Arab-Israeli wars became a battleground in the cold war.
2
The USA needs to be on one side or another because it has interests in
this area. Its a global world! Islamists (whether Iran, ISIS, El Quaeda)
consider America to be their enemy. They cry "Death to Israel!"
but also, "Death to America."
this area. Its a global world! Islamists (whether Iran, ISIS, El Quaeda)
consider America to be their enemy. They cry "Death to Israel!"
but also, "Death to America."
2
The greater story is the 10s of millions of people displaced by war in the Middle East.
5
Camp:
And exactly to whom we should address this to?
Faramarz Fathi
And exactly to whom we should address this to?
Faramarz Fathi
1
Number one to blame, as an individual, would have to be Bashar al-Assad, emperor of Syria, whose brutal repression and refusal to share power triggered the Syrian civil war, that has engulfed the surrounding area, and caused the vast majority of these refugees.
6
Truly remarkable how many Hezbollah apologists are commenting here. I'd like to ask them something as a group.
Remember the Charlie Hebdo massacre? Didn't happen that long ago, in Paris, France, but I realize probably everyone's forgotten about it completely.
Well to remind you, one of the places assaulted for no reason other than religious jihad was a kosher market (this indicates Jewish). All of the attackers were fundamentalist Muslims. The rationale for the massacre was Muslim outrage at some stupid drawings. The killers based their ideology on that of ISIS (the Daesh) who are akin to Hezbollah in mindset. The only major difference between the two is that the Daesh are Sunni and Hezbollah are Shiite, which is why they homicidally hate eachother. Aside from that, their tactics and morals are equivalent.
So, back in the Charlie Hebdo massacre, did all of you leap up and proclaim that the evil agnostic or Jewish French brought this on themselves, that they deserved every death, that the killers were martyrs most pure, that the whole thing was justifiable?
Because that's what you're doing here my friends, and I'd hope that next time there's a jihadist massacre, y'all refrain from hypocrisy and go ahead and support it fully.
Remember the Charlie Hebdo massacre? Didn't happen that long ago, in Paris, France, but I realize probably everyone's forgotten about it completely.
Well to remind you, one of the places assaulted for no reason other than religious jihad was a kosher market (this indicates Jewish). All of the attackers were fundamentalist Muslims. The rationale for the massacre was Muslim outrage at some stupid drawings. The killers based their ideology on that of ISIS (the Daesh) who are akin to Hezbollah in mindset. The only major difference between the two is that the Daesh are Sunni and Hezbollah are Shiite, which is why they homicidally hate eachother. Aside from that, their tactics and morals are equivalent.
So, back in the Charlie Hebdo massacre, did all of you leap up and proclaim that the evil agnostic or Jewish French brought this on themselves, that they deserved every death, that the killers were martyrs most pure, that the whole thing was justifiable?
Because that's what you're doing here my friends, and I'd hope that next time there's a jihadist massacre, y'all refrain from hypocrisy and go ahead and support it fully.
32
Those attackers in Paris are Extreme Sunni's who support ISIS. Saudi Arabia are Extreme Sunni's. Please do not put Hezbollah who are Shiites in the same category. Most of the 'terrorists' are Extreme Sunni's just like the 2000 Nigerians who were killed around the same time as the massacre, by Extremem Sunni's and aslo around the same time 9 Alawite Lebanese killed by Extreme Sunni's. So it is not just Jews being targeted but anyone who does not agree with their insane ideologies as these Extreme Sunni's.
The shiites did not go killing people due to the drawings, they did do behead people cause they do not agree with their beliefs. Please do not group shiites with these Extreme Sunni's. Hezbollah has not ordered people in different countries to commit these horrible crimes. If only Israel and Hezbollah could agree to side together to rid ISIS and then work on better their relationship.
The shiites did not go killing people due to the drawings, they did do behead people cause they do not agree with their beliefs. Please do not group shiites with these Extreme Sunni's. Hezbollah has not ordered people in different countries to commit these horrible crimes. If only Israel and Hezbollah could agree to side together to rid ISIS and then work on better their relationship.
3
Dan, you are so full of yourself that it is sickening so I will address just you. Are you aware that Israel's airforce bombed a convoy of soldiers and an Iranian General while they were in Syria? Just a few days ago Dan. So stop pretending that poor little 'ole Israel was just sitting and twiddling its thumbs, minding its own business and all of a sudden it was attacked. Israel started this nine days ago Dan. Read up.
6
Dan,
We're talking about Israel, and you bring up the Charlie Hebdo massacre. What's the connection? Do you mean people are opposed to Israel's policies just because Jews live in Israel? This is all just anti-semitism?
We're talking about Israel, and you bring up the Charlie Hebdo massacre. What's the connection? Do you mean people are opposed to Israel's policies just because Jews live in Israel? This is all just anti-semitism?
4
This is the same Hezbollah supported by Iran that carried out the massacre at the Jewish community center in Argentina 2 decades ago. As part of an oil deal between Argentina and Iran, the prosecutor who was getting ready to reveal evidence that Iran and Hezbollah were responsible for the massacre, the prosecutor was murdered. Hezbollah and Iran continue to pollute the civilized world.
21
and do you or anyone for that matter have evidence to support your claim? Give us the link. It was also stated with certainty that the Libyan intelligence officer was behind the Lockerbie bombing. That turned out not to be true, after Libya paid out $2 billion in unwarranted claims.
4
What's it been? A week or so since the stories about the Argentine prosecutor's death? I guess that's long enough for utterly unsubstantiated speculation to be elevated to established fact, eh?
For the record, though, everything you've written is unsubstantiated speculation. You're free to believe it if you like, but don't misrepresent it to the rest of us as "fact." It's unsubstantiated speculation, and the passage of a week doesn't change that.
For the record, though, everything you've written is unsubstantiated speculation. You're free to believe it if you like, but don't misrepresent it to the rest of us as "fact." It's unsubstantiated speculation, and the passage of a week doesn't change that.
Last night Israeli papers were filled with stories of how the obnoxious moves by Netanyahu to address Congress had backfired, followed by stories of a B'teslem report just released that found Netanyahu culpable for civilian deaths in the latest Gaza war.
Netanyahu needed to change the subject pronto.
Netanyahu needed to change the subject pronto.
19
Westsider: Can you see my eye rolls? Are you psychic that you know what Netanyahu is thinking. One thing I do know is that your bias against Israel has no bounds.
10
That is completely unsupported speculation, and uninformed speculation at most.
5
Hezbollah (which vows to destroy Israel and has committed terrorist attacks against innocent Israeli civilian)s shot 5 anti-tank missiles at a patrol of Israeli army vehicles, killing 2 Israeli soldiers. Do you expect Israel not to react? If you believe this is connected to Netanyahu's election campaign then the impication is that Hexbollah wants Netanyahu to be reelected
2
hey people, what's wrong with making sure every country in the region is either internally disrupted or at war, well, it's not either or. Why should any country get a pass? I mean, jeez, this is a kind of welfare for arms manufacturers. I'm very pro welfare.
2
Iranian military on the Israeli border in a country not their own (Syria) is the equivalent of Putin having troops hostile to the US on the Canadian or Mexican border. Iran needs to get out of Syria and stop its aggression in the Middle East.
21
The American Military needs to get out of the Middle East and mind their own business. So much for their "Arab Spring". Same rule needs to apply here.
4
Iran is not the aggressor here but rather Israel was a few days ago. And if Putin was in Canada, quite frankly, we would not attack Putin nor would we claim the right to defend ourselves just because Putin was close by. And the Iranian military was in Syria not on Israel's border.
6
Israel keeps provoking others with attacks and then acts as though they are the innocent paty when the other side responds.
We should stop Israel before they blow up the whold thing. His lacke, John Boehner, will support then no matter what they do.
We should stop Israel before they blow up the whold thing. His lacke, John Boehner, will support then no matter what they do.
25
Listen to the song "Neighborhood Bully" by Dylan and you'll get a good picture of what's really going on.
7
What exactly js the Iranian military doing on the Israeli border and infiltrating another country (Syria)? Iran and Israel do not share a border - the Israelis should not stand for this (unless Iran wants Israeli troops on ITS border)..
16
Militaries of friendly countries visit each other. Iran military officer was on a FRIENDLY visit to a brotherly country. By you logic, when an America Army officers visits Estonia, America is inviting Russians on its borders.
1
The U.S. needs to lean from the Israelis. Just see what Netanyahu will do !
3
What is wrong with these Israelis? Cant they just let Hezbollah live in peace? Geez
8
Time passes, and history is forgotten, but a reminder: Hezbollah came into existence only after Israel invaded Lebanon in 1982.
19
No. Hezbollah, a proxy of Iran was first noted in Lebanon when they were found to be behind the bombing of the US Marine Corps Barracks building in Beirut which killed 241 Americans. 1 month later Reagan withdrew all Marines from Lebanon but took no flack for it.
2
Just curious: in what year did "the bombing of the US Marine Corps Barracks building in Beirut" occur? Was it before Israel invaded Lebanon, or was it after? (Hint: a year after.) Did the US support Israel when Israel invaded Lebanon? Were any US soldiers killed in Lebanon BEFORE Israel invaded Lebanon and the US supported Israel?
"The "flare-up shattered a fragile calm"? if you don't count the soldiers killed by Israel recently along with an Iranian General. Hope that they don't start bombing children in schools under UN protection with US dollars, rather than their perceived enemy. Americans would never bomb children in schools under any circumstances, except for one madman in Connecticut.
17
For its part, the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday sternly condemned the Zionist bombing of Lebanon which came in response to the Resistance operation.
"The operation has been launched from the occupied Lebanese Shebaa Farms and targeted an Israeli military convoy that was present on the Lebanese occupied soil," the ministry said, stressing that the attack did not violate the Blue Line that was demarcated by the U.N. following the 2006 war.
"The operation has been launched from the occupied Lebanese Shebaa Farms and targeted an Israeli military convoy that was present on the Lebanese occupied soil," the ministry said, stressing that the attack did not violate the Blue Line that was demarcated by the U.N. following the 2006 war.
9
I find it interesting yet predictable that so many commenters, given an unprovoked attack on Israel, turn it all around and blame Israel for the attack.
So it's Israel's fault that the Hezbullah crazies in Lebanon, backed by the military might of Iran, shot missiles at Israel and killed Israeli soldiers? Do you really think that?
So it's Israel's fault that the Hezbullah crazies in Lebanon, backed by the military might of Iran, shot missiles at Israel and killed Israeli soldiers? Do you really think that?
19
There is a scene in Catherine Porter's book, "Ship of Fools," where a Jewish refugee from Hitler's Germany shares a cabin with a German Nazi. The Nazi complains that the Jews are the cause of all the Fatherland's problems and the Jew responds that the problem is, indeed, the Jews--and the bicycle riders. "Why the bicycle riders?", asked the Nazi. "Why the Jews?", the Jew responded.
If one listened to the commenters you describe, one would conclude that every problem that has befallen the Jews--ever--was of their own doing, Auschwitz included.
This is not new, but it is disheartening to hear their voices even on these facts on a Times comment thread.
If one listened to the commenters you describe, one would conclude that every problem that has befallen the Jews--ever--was of their own doing, Auschwitz included.
This is not new, but it is disheartening to hear their voices even on these facts on a Times comment thread.
14
I must be missing the point. We're talking about Israel, and you bring up Nazis and Jews. What's the connection?
7
Porter - are you aware that Israel killed soldiers and an Iranian General a few days ago in Syria? They were killed via airstrike from Israel. Did you think Israel was just sitting and minding its own business when all of a sudden a missile hit it? Good grief, that's why the comments are stating something that you find offensive, it is because you don't have all the facts. Read the article and stay apprised of the news and it may open your eyes.
10
How completely cynical of Netanyahu to provoke a conflict where there was none. The Golan Heights has for years been the quietest of Israel's boarders. Despite Assad's occasional bluster he didn't want to engage the vastly superior Israeli army and stood back even when Israel invaded Lebanon.
But despite this long period of relative peace Netanyahu authorizes a drone strike into Syria, allegedly against Hezbola militants who were supporting Assad. The fact that several Iranians were also killed is for Netanyahu of little consequence.
Up until now Hezbola and Iran had their hands full in Syria and were careful to avoid any direct conflicts with Israel. But with Netanyahu poised to lecture Congress about what US policy in the region should be he had to add to his arguments by stirring up conflict where there had been a status quo.
If there was ever an example of how US and the Netanyahu's governments interests diverge this is it. But of course Congress will chide the Obama administration and fall all over themselves to shower this blatant provocation with praise, and of course money.
Worst of all Netanyahu has sacrificed the lives of young men to promote his own re-election. More than just cynical, this is criminal and hopefully the Israeli public will see through this tragic stunt.
But despite this long period of relative peace Netanyahu authorizes a drone strike into Syria, allegedly against Hezbola militants who were supporting Assad. The fact that several Iranians were also killed is for Netanyahu of little consequence.
Up until now Hezbola and Iran had their hands full in Syria and were careful to avoid any direct conflicts with Israel. But with Netanyahu poised to lecture Congress about what US policy in the region should be he had to add to his arguments by stirring up conflict where there had been a status quo.
If there was ever an example of how US and the Netanyahu's governments interests diverge this is it. But of course Congress will chide the Obama administration and fall all over themselves to shower this blatant provocation with praise, and of course money.
Worst of all Netanyahu has sacrificed the lives of young men to promote his own re-election. More than just cynical, this is criminal and hopefully the Israeli public will see through this tragic stunt.
24
Hezbollah and their master, Iran are running wild in the world and the White House wont meet with Netanyahu. Where do Barack Husein Obama and Valerie Jarrett's interest lie anyway?
9
With the majority of Americans who don't want to continue funding Israel's war crimes any more.
10
Their interests lie with the same crew they've always lain with: McDonnell Douglas. Lockheed Martin. Boeing. GE. And other manufacturers of weapons of mass destruction, always looking for fresh markets to sell into.
1
Read the paper. Valerie Jarrett has been hanging out with Rupert Murdoch and Jeb Bush lately. mmm?
1
I hope I am not just repeating what others may have said. But as NYT frequently points out: there are many who don't want to see and Iranian nuclear deal: Israel, the U.S. republican congress, the Iranian clerics, Saudi's etc. If a deal is made under these pressures and instigations and intrgiues than Obama and his Iranian counter-part will deserve the Noble Peace Prize.
8
here we go again...why ? why ? would you place an ultra orthodox jewish country in an ultra orthodox muslim world...great move Britain and the UN! you must be loving this!!!
14
This shows John Boehner’s recklessness in inviting Prime Minister Netanyahu to address the House. Mr. Boehner was trying to score political points through criticism of President Obama’s participation in multinational talks over Iran’s nuclear capabilities. But his vision, typically, was myopic and focused more on talking points than the nuances and complexities of diplomacy in the real world. Now the scenario is changing, and the U.S. could find itself put in an uncomfortable position. Mr. Boehner should first try to bring some order to his own caucus before presuming to step onto the international stage.
16
Boehner has every right to invite Netanyahu to speak to Congress. We have three branches to our government who share equal power, remember?
7
We have one branch of government designated to manage foreign policy. Remember?
7
In 2,000, following Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon, the UN inspected the border to verify that Israel had indeed left entirely, and determined that it had done so. Why is this area now being referred to as disputed?
14
Also, Hezbollah was supposed to have been disarmed as an condition for Israel's withdrawal. Israel withdrew, Hezbollah is still armed. Where have we seen this pattern before?
14
Why should anyone have to disarm because of Israel? Everyone has a right to arms in this world. I'm tired of Israel acting like a bully and making demands.
5
Find who has supplied the arms and destroy them because they must from outside the area. Manufactures should targeted, it happened in WWII we bombed armament factories in Germany. Also target arms dealers, then one might be able to stop all wars. If the aggressor will live in peace then you take them out right up to the manufacturer of the arms then they cannot fight.
3
Rest in peace to the three human beings killed in this senseless act of aggression. Hezbollah’s attack on the Israeli convoy is an act of retaliation to Israel’s recent raid in Syria, which resulted in the death of six Hezbollah members. Israel justified its actions by claiming the raid was a preventative measure taken to save Israeli lives. Following the death of the IDF soldiers and the Spanish peace keeper, Netanyahu vowed to strike back at Hezbollah with even more force. This escalation is ridiculous.
The ongoing turmoil between Hezbollah and Israel proves to be a bleak situation for both parties. Both Hezbollah and Israel cannot afford the cost of another full scale war. Hezbollah has their hands full in Syria and fighting on two fronts is not a conflict that they can easily handle. Hezbollah has repeatedly proven that they are capable of wreaking havoc with their possession of lethal weaponry. Keeping the potential casualties in mind, another war on the northern border with Hezbollah poses few benefits to Israel.
If the situation at hand escalates even further, then nobody truly wins. Rather than promising revenge, Israel needs to focus on stability and peace.
The ongoing turmoil between Hezbollah and Israel proves to be a bleak situation for both parties. Both Hezbollah and Israel cannot afford the cost of another full scale war. Hezbollah has their hands full in Syria and fighting on two fronts is not a conflict that they can easily handle. Hezbollah has repeatedly proven that they are capable of wreaking havoc with their possession of lethal weaponry. Keeping the potential casualties in mind, another war on the northern border with Hezbollah poses few benefits to Israel.
If the situation at hand escalates even further, then nobody truly wins. Rather than promising revenge, Israel needs to focus on stability and peace.
5
Had Hezbollah and their Iranian allies not prepared a strike on Israel from Syrian territory, there would be no need for preemptive action. Hezbollah has opened a second front, from which it may be struck from the south by Israel, as well as from the east by Al-Nusra, IS/Daesh and the Free Syrian Army. The consequences for Hezbollah are far greater than the Palestinian-Israel Conflict; they have multiplied their adversaries!
In the seminal words of fictional Vietnam veteran and Medal of Honor recipient Forrest Gump, "Stupid is, as stupid does!"
In the seminal words of fictional Vietnam veteran and Medal of Honor recipient Forrest Gump, "Stupid is, as stupid does!"
9
There is never an excuse for preemptive action on Israel's part. Israel was the first to strike Iran's military and now Israel has received retaliation. And frankly, Iran has the right to travel to other countries if it desires to do so. Israel needs to mind its own business and stop killing others because it "is scared."
7
Israel has every right to act preemptively when threatened with imminent attack. That was also the case in June 1967, when Nasser threatened a "war of annihilation" to drive the Jews into the sea. Had Israel not acted then, then there would be no Israel today!
In both instances, Israel acted consistently with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, recognizing that each nation-state member is entitled to an "inherent right to individual, or collective self-defense."
In both instances, Israel acted consistently with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, recognizing that each nation-state member is entitled to an "inherent right to individual, or collective self-defense."
5
Seems to me that this particular event was started by Israel when it bombed inside Syria and Killed Hezbollah operatives last week. It appears this is a retaliation for that bombing. The cycle starts again.
16
Seems that it was started before that, with the infitadas one through five or whatever, also the various wars in the 60's, the skirmishes in the 50's, and in '48 when Israel seized its territory. Also before that Islam and Judaism were at war practically from the day Islam split off from it. The entirety of it is a ridiculous, senseless holy war, and no event within it is justified by any other.
7
First of all, Hezbollah, just like Hamas, needs to be stopped. They are a terrorist organization as they are even labeled as such by the US State Department. Some of the anti-Israel comments I am reading here sound very appalling and some of them could either sound either anti-Semitic or pro-terrorist. As long as Hezbollah continues their ideology that the Jews should be killed as well as continue to launch attacks, there will always be a need for Israel to fight back. They had every reason to take major members of the group just the same reason the US military used drones to take out Al Qaeda members, which I am surprised that nobody is condemning that, but that's mainly because it's not Israel doing it. If Israel should give back the Golan Heights, it should only be after peace is made and that neither the Syrian military or Hezbollah would use any of its terrain to launch attacks on innocent Israeli civilians. Keep in mind what happened shortly after Israel agreed to unilaterally withdraw from the Gaza Strip back in 2005 and what Hamas did, so nobody would want anything similar to that not to mention that Assad supports Hezbollah and will probably allow them to launch said attacks. Also, being elected to the Syrian government doesn't make Hezbollah any less of a terrorist organization as the same goes for Hamas being elected to the the PA. As a native of Israel, I can't believe how some are supporting such terrorist groups and justifying their actions.
16
We all know what's next, actually it's started. Israel is playing the victim card. Hezbollah has the right to defend their people and borders, just as Israel does. Hezbollah is not a terrorist organisation. If people say they are then so is Israel, are they also not defending their borders? Their prime minister is a twat, everything cannot be solved by guns and bombins. Also remember Hezbollah is helping the fight against ISIS who initially the west supported. Dont forget that people.
11
Right to defend its people and borders? The Israeli attack was on Hezbollah fighters in Syria, not in Lebanon. In any case, who gave a private, foreign-funded militia the right to defend Lebanon to begin with?
7
"The Israeli military said five anti-tank missiles hit the soldiers as they were traveling near Mount Dov and Chebaa Farms, along a disputed tract of land where the borders of Israel, Lebanon and Syria meet"
Please remember, Hezbollah is fighing ISIS, never were fighting Israel, until Israel first attacked. It was in in retaliation for a deadly Israeli strike on its fighters inside Syria earlier this month.
Also, I do not think retaliation is the answer. However, I do not think Israel is the victim here. If they are going to shoot they cannot expect nothing will happen.
Please remember, Hezbollah is fighing ISIS, never were fighting Israel, until Israel first attacked. It was in in retaliation for a deadly Israeli strike on its fighters inside Syria earlier this month.
Also, I do not think retaliation is the answer. However, I do not think Israel is the victim here. If they are going to shoot they cannot expect nothing will happen.
8
Sorry David Rosenberg but the rest of the world does not need Israel's permission to help causes in other nations. You guys really need to get over yourselves. Permission to defend another country? Really? Who gives the USA permission to defend other countries? This is laughable but instead it is a pathetic telling of just how twisted someone's reasoning can be.
3
What did Israel expect after its air strike against Hezbollah 10 days ago in the Golan Heights that killed six of its fighters and an Iranian Revolutionary general?
It is not believable that Israel fears for its security from Iran when it holds over 200 nuclear weapons (WMD). We all know the disproportionate massacre of Gazans this past summer as well as the air strikes the summer of 2006 against Lebanon using bomblets (thanks to George Bush who provided them) that charred infants, toddlers and oldsters alike.
Any organization that doesn't agree with Israel's aggression is labeled terrorist when in reality who is real terrorist in the Middle East?
It is not believable that Israel fears for its security from Iran when it holds over 200 nuclear weapons (WMD). We all know the disproportionate massacre of Gazans this past summer as well as the air strikes the summer of 2006 against Lebanon using bomblets (thanks to George Bush who provided them) that charred infants, toddlers and oldsters alike.
Any organization that doesn't agree with Israel's aggression is labeled terrorist when in reality who is real terrorist in the Middle East?
22
Aggression? What is the Iranian military doing on the Israeli border and what is the Iranian military doing in Syria?
10
Hezbollah invited the Israeli military response, just as Hamas did with its rocket attacks on Israeli civilian communities last summer. Of course, the means to avoid Israeli military devastation is not to invite it; if Israel is not provoked, it has no legitimate reason to respond with military force!
7
Dr. M, sounds like you don't know the meaning of 'aggression"
Do you deny that Israel's Mossad assassinates anyone that the paranoiac Jewish State perceives as a threat? Today's Jerusalem Post reports how Iran thwarted a Mossad assassination attempt on one of its nuclear scientists. CBS last year reported the Obama Administration warned Israel to stop carrying out assassinations Inside Iran against its nuclear scientists. I do think this constitutes as 'aggression', Dr. M.
Do you deny that Israel's Mossad assassinates anyone that the paranoiac Jewish State perceives as a threat? Today's Jerusalem Post reports how Iran thwarted a Mossad assassination attempt on one of its nuclear scientists. CBS last year reported the Obama Administration warned Israel to stop carrying out assassinations Inside Iran against its nuclear scientists. I do think this constitutes as 'aggression', Dr. M.
8
IF (a big if, as we do not have overt confirmation of this) Iran gives bombs to Hezbollah, and we (USA, that is) definitely give bombs to Israel along with delivery vehicles then perhaps it might be better for Iran and USA to fight it out directly, both the Israelis and Hezbollah will stay alive and live peacefully as none of them will have the bombs to throw back and forth.
I say what I say because I know what is going to happen next: Israel is going to drop 100, maybe many many more, American bombs on Hezbollah with impunity cause the death of hundreds of persons who just want to live, and the USA will call it collateral damage!!!
I say what I say because I know what is going to happen next: Israel is going to drop 100, maybe many many more, American bombs on Hezbollah with impunity cause the death of hundreds of persons who just want to live, and the USA will call it collateral damage!!!
10
Yeah, thats like blaming Smith & Wesson for people who commit murder with guns.
If not with Our bombs it would be with someone elses's, or with swords and lances like they did 1000 years ago.
Its a war of two extreme religious ideologies that has been raging for many centuries.
Religion is to blame. When people abandon reason and use religion in it's splace this is what can happen. There is no end to this war as long as each side (especially the Muslims) beleives that their god calls them to fight the other side.
Religion will make people (in large numbers) do things that they would never do otherwise. All reason is lost.
If not with Our bombs it would be with someone elses's, or with swords and lances like they did 1000 years ago.
Its a war of two extreme religious ideologies that has been raging for many centuries.
Religion is to blame. When people abandon reason and use religion in it's splace this is what can happen. There is no end to this war as long as each side (especially the Muslims) beleives that their god calls them to fight the other side.
Religion will make people (in large numbers) do things that they would never do otherwise. All reason is lost.
5
"...Avigdor Lieberman, who was meeting China’s foreign minister in Beijing, called on Israel to respond in a “forceful and disproportionate manner”.
This is what's wrong with Israel's approach to conflict management in its neighborhood. If they carry out disproportionate punishment, which is what this threat amounts to, we're looking at another Gaza, in which the civilian infrastructure was nearly destroyed during that conflict. I don't see any other way to interpret this statement.
Given the proximity of the conflict with ISIS, I would think their hawkish approach might be better directed towards a more serious existential threat.
This is what's wrong with Israel's approach to conflict management in its neighborhood. If they carry out disproportionate punishment, which is what this threat amounts to, we're looking at another Gaza, in which the civilian infrastructure was nearly destroyed during that conflict. I don't see any other way to interpret this statement.
Given the proximity of the conflict with ISIS, I would think their hawkish approach might be better directed towards a more serious existential threat.
10
In "Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm," the U.S. and its allies, including Syria, Saudi Arabia, the U.K. and others used "disproportionate force," a.k.a., the "Powell Doctrine" to drive Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait without unnecessary delay. When a nation goes to war, they must use overwhelming force to achieve their military objectives; using less than "disproportionate force" against an adversary is a recipe for certain defeat!
8
Don't think the shame thing much works on Netanyahu, He is in it for the long haul.
It is getting very foolish. Netanyahu threw the bait by
killing 4 Hizbullah soldiers and one Iranian general.
Both Iran and Hizbullah fell into the trap. It
will escalate because Netanyahu is not going
to accept attack on Israeli soldiers near the election.
Israel's involvement would help the rebels and ISIS to
make inroads into Syria. The situation gets more
muddled.
killing 4 Hizbullah soldiers and one Iranian general.
Both Iran and Hizbullah fell into the trap. It
will escalate because Netanyahu is not going
to accept attack on Israeli soldiers near the election.
Israel's involvement would help the rebels and ISIS to
make inroads into Syria. The situation gets more
muddled.
9
Israel preaches peace but practices war with its incessant land grabbing. It preaches democracy but practices 2nd class citizenship with its Arab population. After Israel killed an Iranian general in Syria, Hezbollah reacted. Tit for tat war. Israel has become a militaristic, aggressive country always claiming that everyone in their neighborhood is threatening them, when in reality it's the other way around. American abets thes insanity causing unlimited hostility to our homeland. Israel ,in the drivers seat, is dragging this country down.
27
In reality, the entire region actually does threaten Israel, has attacked it directly at some point, and says so loudly all the time. So try not to be so one-sided that you're blind to reality.
I don't think Israel is blameless in all this either. But really, it's delusional to think all the nations around them are peaceful and mere victims of Israel's jihad.
I don't think Israel is blameless in all this either. But really, it's delusional to think all the nations around them are peaceful and mere victims of Israel's jihad.
15
Please spare me from your hypocrisy. Your grasp of history is non existent. Israel has showed admirable restraint for over 50 years considering the vast majority of its arab neighbours have been actively seeking the destruction of the state of Israel. If you think the world of Islam would be less of a threat if the US did not support Israel then you are sadly mistaken. Your anti semetic leanings poorly disguised by your sympathy for an idealogy driven by pure unadulturated hatred and subjugation is pathetic.
14
Yeah this thing with Israel being surrounded by enemies is getting a bit old. Israel is surrounded by enemies like Custer was surrounded by enemies at Little Big Horn. You invade someone else's territory and, yup, you are going to be surrounded by enemies.
4
Its all very sad. I wish we would have stayed out of this region. But, supporting Israel and protecting oil interests got us involved. Now we have to fight these crazy religious extremists who see us as they see Israel enemies of their religion. They have no reason they just have doctraine. A doctraine that says either you are Muslim or you are subjected to Muslim law. Otherwise you should face the sword. Its in their scriptures. If you are a literal follower of Islam it is your duty to kill and subdue non-Muslims.
How can we deal with this crazy religiously indoctrinated people? Not with reason but with the same insanity they profess. We must take advantage that we are still much stronger and kill them all, or one day we will be subjected to their sword, their insanity.
Not every Muslim is a religious extremist but if they are not they better show it.
Reason why we have such a hard time finding terrorists and we end up killing civilians by mistake is becuase their population refuses to provide us with intel on those terrorists, they protect them. And than when we (due to lack of intel) drop a bomb on wrong target they demonize us.
War is terrible, horrible. But, against an enemy like this we must above all win! Or face the consequences.
How can we deal with this crazy religiously indoctrinated people? Not with reason but with the same insanity they profess. We must take advantage that we are still much stronger and kill them all, or one day we will be subjected to their sword, their insanity.
Not every Muslim is a religious extremist but if they are not they better show it.
Reason why we have such a hard time finding terrorists and we end up killing civilians by mistake is becuase their population refuses to provide us with intel on those terrorists, they protect them. And than when we (due to lack of intel) drop a bomb on wrong target they demonize us.
War is terrible, horrible. But, against an enemy like this we must above all win! Or face the consequences.
7
Hezbollah does not have to fight anything. All it needs is to provoke retaliation from Israel and then use it in its propaganda (so far propaganda) war against Israel. And our President refuses to see Netanyahu in this critical situation. His excuses are contradictory and his real reason is ambiguous. He gave two reasons: elections in Israel and negotiations with Iran. Which one is it, Mr. President? Make up your mind. Also, he acts unpresidentially if he weighs his partisan rivalry against Republicans to offer no sign of American support to Israel when it is under attack. That's very unpresidential.
6
what are iranian generals and hezbollah doing on the golan other than planning attacks on israel? hezbollah and iran are backing a murderous dictator so any attack on them within syria is fair game. they are only mad that israel thwarted their planning. if they are upset about rule changing then they shouldn't be firing from lebanon or they won't like the new rules others will make for them. can anyone say "stretched too thin"?
11
What could they be doing in the Golan? Fighting ISIS and Al Qaeda infiltration?
7
Not likely that Hezbollah and Iran are concerned about ISIS on Israel's border. More likely Hezbollah and Iran (and what was an Iranian general doing there??) intend to threaten Israel.
5
PLEASE NOTE: The Colonel is an Op-Ed writer for the Sunday Guardian and writes on Middle East topics from time to time.
This provocation is dangerous. It came at this time because Hez thought Bibi would not retaliate so close to an election.
This response of the Israelis is fraught with danger. The Colonel advises pundits to just stay out of it. It is too volatile. Those dead soldiers must be atoned for, but how? How? - The Colonel
This provocation is dangerous. It came at this time because Hez thought Bibi would not retaliate so close to an election.
This response of the Israelis is fraught with danger. The Colonel advises pundits to just stay out of it. It is too volatile. Those dead soldiers must be atoned for, but how? How? - The Colonel
Hezbollah needs to rein in its rogue militants, if that is who is responsible for this missile strike. If not, they need to rethink their stupid strategy of fighting both Islamic State rebels and Israel at the same time. Israel could annihilate them if it chose to do so. Provoking Israel in the midst of the madness going on there is crazy.
6
Don't worry, our new President Bibi and his Vice-President John Boehner are coming to Congress March 3rd to explain everything in a State of the Union address.
19
It's about time Israel realizes it can't cross borders and kill at will without payback.
19
You mean like we do with drone strikes in Pakistan and Yemen (paid for by your tax dollars)?
7
Why doesn´t israel accept the Arab League peace iniciative and put and end of this stupid bloodshed once for all.
The Arab League proposal of 2002 is the most honest for all and will end Israel’s isolation.
"Israel needs to look hard at this initiative, which promises Israel peace with 22 Arab nations and 35 Muslim nations - a total of 57 nations that are standing and waiting for the possibility of making peace with Israel, “Kerry said.
The Arab League proposal of 2002 is the most honest for all and will end Israel’s isolation.
"Israel needs to look hard at this initiative, which promises Israel peace with 22 Arab nations and 35 Muslim nations - a total of 57 nations that are standing and waiting for the possibility of making peace with Israel, “Kerry said.
10
I don't get it. Israel supposedly attacked a convoy of Hezbollah and Hezbollah counters with an attack on an Israeli convoy, then Israel responds by shelling random civilian targets? The IDF is in desperate need of intelligent leadership.
24
When terrorists get close to your border and pose a threat to your country you strike, just like we do with drones against Al-Qaeda.
4
Israel did not kill terrorists. Israel killed militia that was fighting against ISIS.
It is way past time that this should be treated as front page news. Let us mourn the dead and hope for the wounded to recover. They were pawns in this unending, dreary mess. Perhaps it is time for us to cease using them to prove that the other side is monstrous.
1
In Israel vs Hezbollah conflict ISIS will be the winner. USA is fighting ISIS, Iran is also enemy of ISIS. What Israel had to gain by attacking Hezbollah and starting this conflict that benefits ISIS. Did Israel know that it is against USA interest? This seems a deliberate attempt by Neatnyahu to start war with Iran's proxy to sabotage Iran - USA talks. We have a great friend, Israel ,who wants us to sacrifice everything for their sake but does not care about our interests.
8
The article incorrectly says that it is ambiguous who killed the UN solder. Israeli media is reporting he was killed by IDF fire.
Why can't the NYT report this accurately?
More importantly, why did Israel hit a UN post whose location should have been known to the IDF?
Why can't the NYT report this accurately?
More importantly, why did Israel hit a UN post whose location should have been known to the IDF?
26
War is a mess. Accidents happens. Over 25% of American causulties in Iraq are a result of such accidents. The blame is on those who launched the attack, Hezbollah.
10
Nine days ago Israel fired on and killed Hezbollah soldiers in Syria. So you could say that Israel started this and therefore to blame for the death of the UN peacekeeper (apart from being the ones directly responsible for hitting the UN post).
4
Israel 's only responsibility is to protect the civilians by force,if reason fails,everything goes by the board :decency,honor ,all,to get Eretz Israel safe and secure as a refugee "island" for all Jews .It anguishes me so much a country again and again threatened for such a long,long time from the past up until nowadays.
Who might yet save a civilization ,the professionals?the politicians?the religious men?
Does the memory of Auschwitz [70 years ago ] be of any help,Ja it ought to be,should be!
Who might yet save a civilization ,the professionals?the politicians?the religious men?
Does the memory of Auschwitz [70 years ago ] be of any help,Ja it ought to be,should be!
6
from the article ...
"That exchange came nine days after a deadly airstrike, attributed to Israel, on a convoy in the Syrian portion of the Golan Heights. The airstrike killed five fighters from Hezbollah, including the son of the group’s slain military commander, Imad Mughniyeh, and an Iranian general. Israeli military commentators said that Hezbollah and its Iranian patron had been building an infrastructure in the Syrian Golan Heights with which to attack Israel."
In other words Israel started this conflict because Israel THOUGHT Hezbollah was building something with which to attack Israel. One doesn't even have to do anything to Israel these days. Just the fact that one possesses weaponry is enough for Israel to retaliate. Israel has become a monster.
"That exchange came nine days after a deadly airstrike, attributed to Israel, on a convoy in the Syrian portion of the Golan Heights. The airstrike killed five fighters from Hezbollah, including the son of the group’s slain military commander, Imad Mughniyeh, and an Iranian general. Israeli military commentators said that Hezbollah and its Iranian patron had been building an infrastructure in the Syrian Golan Heights with which to attack Israel."
In other words Israel started this conflict because Israel THOUGHT Hezbollah was building something with which to attack Israel. One doesn't even have to do anything to Israel these days. Just the fact that one possesses weaponry is enough for Israel to retaliate. Israel has become a monster.
20
When someone vows to murder you and then suddenly attacks and kill your son in 2006, then if in 2015 he comes close to your door again with a weapon - You have the right to stop him
7
JMM, why are you questioning that Hezbollah was up to something? The presence of an Iranian general is a good indication. Another example of Iran causing trouble.
8
In such situations, Israel is not required to wait until Hezbollah strikes first before responding, and may act preemptively to prevent an imminent attack.
This is no different from the 1967 "Six Day War,"when Gamel Abdel Nasser announced an impeding "war of annihilation" to drive the Jews into the sea.
By striking preemptively, Israel avoided a likely defeat, precluding Egypt and Syria from any success on the battlefield.
This is no different from the 1967 "Six Day War,"when Gamel Abdel Nasser announced an impeding "war of annihilation" to drive the Jews into the sea.
By striking preemptively, Israel avoided a likely defeat, precluding Egypt and Syria from any success on the battlefield.
12
Israel has a population of around 8 million, of which there are 6 million Jews. Consider the populations of neighboring Arab majority nations:
Egypt: 82 million
Iran: 77 million
Iraq: 33 million
Saudi Arabia: 29 million
Syria: 23 million
Tunisia: 11 million
Jordan: 6.5 million
Libya: 6 million
Lebanon: 5 million
Palestine: 3 million
The plan for Israel’s right wing appears to be the destabilization and collapse of all the Arab states that surround it. The West is currently profiting from the de-civilization of the Rest, but I don’t see how that can be a long-term winning strategy. How can 6 million Jewish people hold off all those who will recruit to hard-line Islamic militias (from among some 300 million local Arabs) once many Arab homelands are turned into failed states?
The growing use of homemade drones, cyber-warfare, and other tools of asymmetrical force will mean that a high-tech nation like Israel will be especially vulnerable to guerilla attack. Destabilization will encourage all those opposed to Israel to go underground (literally and figuratively) and create new kinds of stealth attacks.
How is Israel going to convince its citizens to stay put in a nation that will resemble a pen of 6 beagles surrounded by a forest holding more than 300 foxes?
Egypt: 82 million
Iran: 77 million
Iraq: 33 million
Saudi Arabia: 29 million
Syria: 23 million
Tunisia: 11 million
Jordan: 6.5 million
Libya: 6 million
Lebanon: 5 million
Palestine: 3 million
The plan for Israel’s right wing appears to be the destabilization and collapse of all the Arab states that surround it. The West is currently profiting from the de-civilization of the Rest, but I don’t see how that can be a long-term winning strategy. How can 6 million Jewish people hold off all those who will recruit to hard-line Islamic militias (from among some 300 million local Arabs) once many Arab homelands are turned into failed states?
The growing use of homemade drones, cyber-warfare, and other tools of asymmetrical force will mean that a high-tech nation like Israel will be especially vulnerable to guerilla attack. Destabilization will encourage all those opposed to Israel to go underground (literally and figuratively) and create new kinds of stealth attacks.
How is Israel going to convince its citizens to stay put in a nation that will resemble a pen of 6 beagles surrounded by a forest holding more than 300 foxes?
8
"How can 6 million Jewish people hold off all those who will recruit to hard-line Islamic militias (from among some 300 million local Arabs) once many Arab homelands are turned into failed states?"
The simple answer is thermo-nuclear weapons AKA H-bombs. It has been estimated that it would only take 12 to 14 x 750KT W88 warheads to completely destroy Iran, so it would appear that Israel has more than enough megatonnage to completely destroy the entire Arab world.
The simple answer is thermo-nuclear weapons AKA H-bombs. It has been estimated that it would only take 12 to 14 x 750KT W88 warheads to completely destroy Iran, so it would appear that Israel has more than enough megatonnage to completely destroy the entire Arab world.
4
You ignore the fact that Egypt and Jordan have reached their own peace agreements with Israel. Egypt, in particular, is engaged in close military cooperation with Israel in confining Hamas, which constitutes as much a threat to Egypt, as it does to Israel. Syria is too embroiled in its own civil war, thje result of Assad's ham-fisted response to non-violent pro-democracy protests and Lebanon is engaged in tis own conflict with anti-Assad forces which are destabilizing that nation.
Just who is destabilizing who?
Just who is destabilizing who?
8
They've done it for 67 years, most spectacularly in 1967 and 1973. Don't see why that would not continue ...
5
Israel will not remain passive after the attack and wants to punish Hezbollah. If it could retaliate without repercussions, Netanyahu would benefit from it. If not a new war will only backfire at the polls in March.
The question is whether both sides should try to limit hostilities after the score-settling and deem their honour satisfied. If Israel feels obliged to seek revenge, it raises the prospect of a new war in Lebanon, that the region doesn't need. The short war in 2006 caused death, destruction and disruption on both sides of the border without either side winning.
The question is whether both sides should try to limit hostilities after the score-settling and deem their honour satisfied. If Israel feels obliged to seek revenge, it raises the prospect of a new war in Lebanon, that the region doesn't need. The short war in 2006 caused death, destruction and disruption on both sides of the border without either side winning.
6
A bad peace deal is better than a good war.
netanyahu is the problem
Netanyahu has failed to integrate Israel in the region with the 20 Arab countries. Let us be like the nations and elect a new Prime Minister who will seek peace and pursue it until Israel can fully trade with all Arab and Muslim States. (Arab League proposal in 2002).
netanyahu is the problem
Netanyahu has failed to integrate Israel in the region with the 20 Arab countries. Let us be like the nations and elect a new Prime Minister who will seek peace and pursue it until Israel can fully trade with all Arab and Muslim States. (Arab League proposal in 2002).
6
In raw political calculation hurting Hezbollah and Assad, at the same time, while helping anti-Syrian rebels, is probably very good for Israel but not so much for Syria, Iran, or Hezbollah. Of course the US should not support Assad, Iran, or Hezbollah but the US has been irrational lately. Fighting Hezbollah and destroying Assad could help close a peace treaty between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
6
Very astute. Saudi Arabia, Israel, Egypt and Jordan all have similar interests, esp. vis a vis Iran, whose proxies are fighting in Iraq, Syria and now, Yemen. U.S. interests are not with Iran. It is proper for U.S. to try to force Iran to give up its nuclear program, but in doing so, U.S. must make its own interests clear to Iran -- that Iran must back down, and see doing so as somehow in its own interest.
I don't know how that gets done.
I don't know how that gets done.
your photo posted " Burning vehicles near the village of Ghajar, on the Israeli border with Lebanon, after a missile attack on an Israeli military convoy by Hezbollah. Credit Maruf Khatib/Reuters ",
shows no holes from the Kornet missiles in the border fence (Lebanon is to the left in this photo). I'm asking The NY Times to show some basic critical thinking and engage in reporting the truth, not any simplistic sensationalism passing for journalism.
shows no holes from the Kornet missiles in the border fence (Lebanon is to the left in this photo). I'm asking The NY Times to show some basic critical thinking and engage in reporting the truth, not any simplistic sensationalism passing for journalism.
6
Missiles go clean over fences. That's really all there is to it, they landed on these vehicles, they didn't fire horizontally along at a couple feet above the ground.
7
Iran's dark hand is behind most of the foment in the Middle East (and elsewhere). This attack is another distraction on their way to the ultimate prize; a nuclear arms capability. Israel is on the front line defending itself & the interests of Europe and the US against the dark forces of Islamo-fascism, Sunni and Shiite.
Unfortunately, that front line has reached parts of Europe and the US. Hopefully Iran's resources will wear thin before it goals are achieved.
Unfortunately, that front line has reached parts of Europe and the US. Hopefully Iran's resources will wear thin before it goals are achieved.
12
Muslims don't hate Jews, just zionist Israelis.
It was actually Christians who killed Jews for centuries, Several Arabs states, and Turkey, took Jews into their protection. also Kazakhstan has history of sheltering Jews who fled the Nazis.
There was no radical Islam, no ISIS, Al Qaeda,Taliban,El Shabab,Hezbullah or even Hamas.All were invented by Zionists in order to promote Islamophobia benefitting israel. There was only Zionist terrorism before the creation of the Zionist entity in 1947 led by Irgun and Gangstern terrorist groups led by Manahem Begin who later became Israeli PM.
It was actually Christians who killed Jews for centuries, Several Arabs states, and Turkey, took Jews into their protection. also Kazakhstan has history of sheltering Jews who fled the Nazis.
There was no radical Islam, no ISIS, Al Qaeda,Taliban,El Shabab,Hezbullah or even Hamas.All were invented by Zionists in order to promote Islamophobia benefitting israel. There was only Zionist terrorism before the creation of the Zionist entity in 1947 led by Irgun and Gangstern terrorist groups led by Manahem Begin who later became Israeli PM.
8
As I mentioned previously, it would only take 12 to 14 x 750KT H-bombs to completely destroy Iran and Israel has many more than that, enough in fact to probably completely destroy the entire Arab world.
1
@Tony: Muslims don't hate Jews? Then explain the recent attack on the Kosher market in France that was completely unrelated to the Charlie Hedbo murders except in its timing and the relationship between the terrorists, and explain the upsurge in attacks on Jews by Muslims in France and Europe in general. Also explain the poll that showed that 93% of palestinians hold anti-semitic views and the rest of the ME and North Africa are not far behind at 73%. http://www.timesofisrael.com/poll-93-of-palestinians-hold-anti-jewish-be... You might argue that my first examples are outliers, but 93% of palestinians? Not on your life, can you make that argument successfully. As I've explained before to you, an apparent correlations does not prove cause.
3
Hezbollah's road to peace would be paved with Jewish headstones. The lime for the cement from Jewish bones.
17
It is not clear from your reporting whether Israel said that two of its soldiers were killed and 7 wounded or that 2 of its soldiers were killed and 7 wounded AS THEY DROVE IN THE DISPUTED REGION along Lebanon.
If Israel did admit that the soldiers were in the disputed zone, the question is: what the heck were they doing what they were doing in the disputed region?
If Israel did admit that the soldiers were in the disputed zone, the question is: what the heck were they doing what they were doing in the disputed region?
10
There is no disputed region,sir.
It is occupied Arab land, taken in israeli wars.
It is occupied Arab land, taken in israeli wars.
5
Dear Tony Silver,
In that case, it's all Ottoman land, occupied by the Arabs and the Israelis. Go back a little further and it's mostly Assyrian land. Everyone there has been conquering and occupying the land for thousands of years, and of the original owners, no culture or language remains. The people with the strength to keep the land, own it, that's all there is to it.
In that case, it's all Ottoman land, occupied by the Arabs and the Israelis. Go back a little further and it's mostly Assyrian land. Everyone there has been conquering and occupying the land for thousands of years, and of the original owners, no culture or language remains. The people with the strength to keep the land, own it, that's all there is to it.
5
tony, the "palestinians" could have had their state in 1947, they and the arabs decided to exterminate the Jews instead. When the arabs controlled the land, they made no attempt to create "palestinian" states in gaza or the west bank, or anywhere else.
The 67 years since are filled with similar miscalculations and attempts to force a solution on the ground through war, which inevitable fail. If they continue making these mistakes, there will be nothing left to bargain for.
The 67 years since are filled with similar miscalculations and attempts to force a solution on the ground through war, which inevitable fail. If they continue making these mistakes, there will be nothing left to bargain for.
9
I hope the hostilities will end immediately as both sides extracted revenge - and "honor" restored! Is this any way to live in this day and age? Were barbarians any worse?
1
When it comes to security matters, there is not even a sliver of difference between right, center or left wing Israeli governments. The last Gaza war would not have been conducted differently by a Labor government. The last Lebanon war happened under Kadima.
The same is true regarding the possibility of a peace agreement. If Israel's security is not guaranteed, there will be no Palestinian State. It is an existential issue. It is not negotiable and will never be.
How this fact is exploited politically by Israel's foes (in the ME and elsewhere) is a subject which merits serious journalistic investigation, which is rarely done.
The same is true regarding the possibility of a peace agreement. If Israel's security is not guaranteed, there will be no Palestinian State. It is an existential issue. It is not negotiable and will never be.
How this fact is exploited politically by Israel's foes (in the ME and elsewhere) is a subject which merits serious journalistic investigation, which is rarely done.
11
Before starting war on each other, Israelis and Hezbollah leaders should try to ask themselves some difficult questions: Can Hezbollah handle war on two fronts with Israel and ISIS? Does Israel really want to enter the so far avoided Syrian conflict? Does Israel want to be seen aiding ISIS in its war with Syria/Hezbollah? etc...Pragmatic people would desist from starting a war but sadly the Mid-East leadership boasting of stalwarts like Netanyahu, Leiberman, Nasrallah etc are woefully devoid of that precious quality!
5
I suspect that a free copy of Santayana's distilled wisdom ought to be shared with everyone fostering this violence on Israel, and the West in general. It did not take that long (about 4 years) before the Brits - who otherwise held forth on everything high and holy - to Dresden. General consensus during and after the punishment to Germany was: "it had to be done, they had it coming." No one with any credibility among the allies rued what happened, nor did they rue the 26 million Stalin (our ally) took care of on his own. Nor were any tears shed about two nuclear attacks on Japan.
It is a matter of time before we are fed up of every Arab's notion of how things ought to be, stop caring that there are innocents among them with real aspirations and real rights to a dignified life. We will care not a whit about what Arabs take offense over, what they will do if we do not accept their solutions and ways of life, and do what we did in Dresden and Hiroshima. No soul will remain uninfected, no one will remain innocent.
Today, the great-grandchildren of people who fought and died in WWII do not seem to hate each other - because three generations ago they did. It took 60 million lives for the message to sink. I shudder, lie awake at night, wondering how many it will take this time before three generations from now our great grandkids know this kind of peace - once unthinkable - exists in Western Europe.
Kalidan
It is a matter of time before we are fed up of every Arab's notion of how things ought to be, stop caring that there are innocents among them with real aspirations and real rights to a dignified life. We will care not a whit about what Arabs take offense over, what they will do if we do not accept their solutions and ways of life, and do what we did in Dresden and Hiroshima. No soul will remain uninfected, no one will remain innocent.
Today, the great-grandchildren of people who fought and died in WWII do not seem to hate each other - because three generations ago they did. It took 60 million lives for the message to sink. I shudder, lie awake at night, wondering how many it will take this time before three generations from now our great grandkids know this kind of peace - once unthinkable - exists in Western Europe.
Kalidan
2
Lest we forget that the World and Middle East are falling apart due to the lack of peace between Israel and Palestine.
Why not israel simply accepting the ARAB PEACE INITIATIVE?
A peace loving Palestinian leader is Netanyahu's worst nightmare. Netanyahu, Lieberman, and Bennet are saying private whispered prayers of ecstasy and thanks: "Thank you, Hamas!"
Why not israel simply accepting the ARAB PEACE INITIATIVE?
A peace loving Palestinian leader is Netanyahu's worst nightmare. Netanyahu, Lieberman, and Bennet are saying private whispered prayers of ecstasy and thanks: "Thank you, Hamas!"
16
Absolutely!
ISIS, Iraq, Iran, Syria - all these issues go away once peace is established between Israel and the Palestinians!
BTW the global economy will be fixed and cancer will be cured as well.
ISIS, Iraq, Iran, Syria - all these issues go away once peace is established between Israel and the Palestinians!
BTW the global economy will be fixed and cancer will be cured as well.
15
When has Hamas committed itself to accepting the Arab League Peace Plan?
The Hamas Covenant, particularly Article 13, outright rejects all forms of negotiated conflict resolution, in favor of perpetual war against Israel.
Read it at: http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/hamas.asp
The Hamas Covenant, particularly Article 13, outright rejects all forms of negotiated conflict resolution, in favor of perpetual war against Israel.
Read it at: http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/hamas.asp
10
It's clear that Israel doesn't want a negotiated peace that ends with a sovereign Palestine whose capitol is East Jerusalem. It is clear Israel is provoking endless war against the Muslims, Arabs, Persians, Somalians, Yemens et al. They want to snowplow the borders clean in Judea and Samaria ... and then the Zionist Christians of America plan to convert them all to Jesus worshipping people in their Crystal Cathedrals ... and, maybe, just maybe, one of Rome's two popes will return to "His Promised land."
12
Palestinians Yasser Arafat and Mahmoud Abbas walked away from Israeli peace offers in 2000 and 2008 for the return all of Gaza and 95% of the West Bank (Judea and Samaria) in exchange for peace. As acceptance of these or similar offers would constitute "de-facto" recognition of Israel's right to exist within "secure and recognized boundaries," per UNSCR 242 and 338, Palestinians prefer the "occupation" continue. Under International Law, the victorious belligerent may retain captured land, until possession is modified by treaty. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uti_possidetis
When Palestinians are sufficiently motivated to negotiate for an independent state, Israeli evacuation of most land captured in the 1967 "Six Day War" and an end to the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict, they will do so, but at present, they are apparently content to maintain the status-quo.
When Palestinians are sufficiently motivated to negotiate for an independent state, Israeli evacuation of most land captured in the 1967 "Six Day War" and an end to the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict, they will do so, but at present, they are apparently content to maintain the status-quo.
8
This one's easy. It's in everyone's interest to subordinate issues of right and wrong to the interest of all concerned in assuring that the matter does not spiral out of control.
2
It seems that Israel lives by the sword. It is how it came by its territory in Palestine; it is how it is acquiring more land in Palestine, and it is how it acquired the Golan heights. And is how it plays every incident, abroad and in Gaza.
Maybe it's time for Israel to pursue peace instead of other people's land.
Maybe it's time for Israel to pursue peace instead of other people's land.
31
Why not israel simply accepting the ARAB PEACE INITIATIVE?
A peace loving Palestinian leader is Netanyahu's worst nightmare. Netanyahu, Lieberman, and Bennet are saying private whispered prayers of ecstasy and thanks: "Thank you, Hamas!"
A peace loving Palestinian leader is Netanyahu's worst nightmare. Netanyahu, Lieberman, and Bennet are saying private whispered prayers of ecstasy and thanks: "Thank you, Hamas!"
Israel lives by the sword because those who would destroy it, live by the sword. Israel would willingly trade captured land for peace, if Palestinians were seriously interested in peace!
Article 51 of the United Nations Charter recognizes in all nation-state members, an "inherent right to individual, or collective self-defense."
Israel haas had to invoke Article 51 many times in its national history!
Article 51 of the United Nations Charter recognizes in all nation-state members, an "inherent right to individual, or collective self-defense."
Israel haas had to invoke Article 51 many times in its national history!
9
How many of those 22 Arab countries actually have functioning governments that could stick to any treaty? Libya? Iraq? Syria? Yemen? Lebanon? . . . you get the idea, right?
6
netanyahu is the problem
Netanyahu has failed to integrate Israel in the region with the 20 Arab countries. Let us be like the nations and elect a new Prime Minister who will seek peace and pursue it until Israel can fully trade with all Arab and Muslim States. (Arab League proposal in 2002).
Netanyahu has failed to integrate Israel in the region with the 20 Arab countries. Let us be like the nations and elect a new Prime Minister who will seek peace and pursue it until Israel can fully trade with all Arab and Muslim States. (Arab League proposal in 2002).
8
Most Arab nations, with the exceptions of Egypt and Jordan, have taken the initiative to integrate Israel into the region. Egypt, in particular, has closely cooperated with Israel to suppress the common threat presented by Hamas against Egypt, as well as Israel!
4
"Near Lebanon". So would that translate as "In Israel" ??
5
It translates into "On land internationally recognized as belonging to Syria, occupied by Israel, but claimed by Lebanon."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghajar
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghajar
5
The NY Times simply prints untruths without first basic fact checking "...as they drove in a disputed zone". The border in that sector follows the "Blue Line" as approved by the UN even before the 2006 Hizbollah war. That war started with a bloody ambush and live kidnapping of Israeli reservist soldiers, later killed in Hezbollah captivity. Hezbollah ambush used UNIFIL vehicles they bought from the Indian soldiers posted there.
The NY Times is obligated to print a factual correction to this "news" article.
Also, missing from the news is what was already reported in Israel: the IDF is checking the possibility that the Hezbollah missile attack ambush was staged from the Israel territory near the border.
The NY Times is obligated to print a factual correction to this "news" article.
Also, missing from the news is what was already reported in Israel: the IDF is checking the possibility that the Hezbollah missile attack ambush was staged from the Israel territory near the border.
10
Ghajar is internationally regarded as an Israeli occupied part of Syria.
4
Hezbollah is a Lebanese Shi'a militia organization whose political wing sits in the Lebanese parliament and in its government, not in the government of Syria (or Iran).
According to the regime now in Damascus, all of present day Israel and the so-called Palestinian territories included, are the occupied lands of Southern Syria. This is where your comment belongs.
According to the regime now in Damascus, all of present day Israel and the so-called Palestinian territories included, are the occupied lands of Southern Syria. This is where your comment belongs.
3
There are aspersions cast at Nethanyahu that he is creating provocations to bolster his standing in upcoming Israeli elections. Can the people making such condemnation's inform us as to when Hezbollah, Assad or the Iranian Mullahs will be participating in a free election?
9
"Two Israeli soldiers were killed and seven wounded in a missile attack Wednesday as they drove in a disputed zone along the Lebanese border"
Trust the NYT to describe an Israeli truck on the Israeli side of the fence as a "disputed zone"
Trust the NYT to describe an Israeli truck on the Israeli side of the fence as a "disputed zone"
13
Although the "popular wisdom" is that Hezbollah "won" the war in 2006, that wasn't Nasrallah's opinion when he apologized for the destruction brought upon Lebanon by a similar Hezbollah attack in 2006 (which also involved capturing Israeli soldiers from the Israeli side of the border):
"Nasrallah: Soldiers' abductions a mistake
POSTED: 10:07 p.m. EDT, August 27, 2006"
BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNN) -- Had Hezbollah known how Israel was going to respond, the group would not have captured two Israeli soldiers last month in northern Israel, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said Sunday.
"If someone had said July 11 that there was "a one percent possibility" Israel's military response would be as extensive as it turned out to be, "I would say no, I would not have entered this for many reasons -- military, social, political, economic," said Nasrallah, speaking in Arabic."
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/08/27/mideast.nasrallah/
"Nasrallah: Soldiers' abductions a mistake
POSTED: 10:07 p.m. EDT, August 27, 2006"
BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNN) -- Had Hezbollah known how Israel was going to respond, the group would not have captured two Israeli soldiers last month in northern Israel, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said Sunday.
"If someone had said July 11 that there was "a one percent possibility" Israel's military response would be as extensive as it turned out to be, "I would say no, I would not have entered this for many reasons -- military, social, political, economic," said Nasrallah, speaking in Arabic."
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/08/27/mideast.nasrallah/
4
Thanks, that was the most interesting comment I have read in awhile.
I think Hezbollah just ensured Netanyahu will be reelected.
9
Both sides need to be careful about next steps here, particularly Israel since they pretty much started this with that strike inside Syria. A second scenario like what happened this summer in Gaza could develop here easily if restraint is not shown, and my analysis of that fighting this summer bears a lot of relevance here https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140728201508-3797421-analyzing-the-isra...
8
Why not in place of fighting and bloodshed,israel accept Arab League Peace Initiative and put an end to this stupid wars and conflicts?
Peace is cheaper than war. Unless israel believes that it can destroy 22 Arab States and create greater israel. Will the Muslim World let that happen?
Pakistan have nukes too,sir.
Peace is cheaper than war. Unless israel believes that it can destroy 22 Arab States and create greater israel. Will the Muslim World let that happen?
Pakistan have nukes too,sir.
2
Pakistan may have A-bombs but Israel has H-bombs which are at least ten times more powerful.
2
When Hamas and Hezbollah commit to the Arab League Peace Proposal and abandon any arrogant "right of return" to homes most Palestinians have never seen, peace will be much more likely than it is at present. Jewish refugees expelled from Arab countries assert no right of return; neither should Palestinians. That will require a change of attitude among Arabs toward Israel.
8
I would like to ask only one question to Arabs and Israelis.
Would you like to start another round?
Enjoy.
Your politics, your ideas, your history, your standing ground and everything doesn't really make any sense anymore both Arabs and Israelis, Your futulistic Conflict.
Would you like to start another round?
Enjoy.
Your politics, your ideas, your history, your standing ground and everything doesn't really make any sense anymore both Arabs and Israelis, Your futulistic Conflict.
1
As reckless and egotistic Netanyahu can be, I think he has a point worrying about Iran using Hezbollah as a hard bargaining tool that can operate as a terrorist group accountable only to the Ayatollahs. Iran should be confronted by the international community about Hezbollah just as much as its effort to plunge the region into a destructive nuclear bomb rivalry. In fact, left to its continued mastery and manipulation of Hezbollah, Iran would never back down from its dream of acquiring a nuclear bomb. There is no resolving the Iranian nuclear bomb threat without first dissolving Hezbollah out of the equation.
10
Why not put it directly to Iran's ruling theologians? As them why a cult of martyrdom deserves to be trusted with nuclear technology.
5
Peaceful Israel has 21,450 nuclear missiles. Over 900 of these are pointed at Western countries, including USA and EU.
4
European rubbish talk.
1
"They just make sure isreal is attacked on holocaust remembrance day, because we need an excuse to exterminate the muslim race."
2
Muslims protected the expelled Spanish jews
In 1492 when Spain expelled Muslims and Jews, most of
whom fled to Morocco and brought with them the sophisticated urban culture of Andalucía and it was Christian Europe that killed 6 million innocent jews.
In 1492 when Spain expelled Muslims and Jews, most of
whom fled to Morocco and brought with them the sophisticated urban culture of Andalucía and it was Christian Europe that killed 6 million innocent jews.
2
Ah, there is no Muslim race. And genocide is generally frowned on.
4
Dan,
Read Article 7 of the Hamas Covenant, which calls for the genocide of all Jews, at: http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/hamas.asp
Read Article 7 of the Hamas Covenant, which calls for the genocide of all Jews, at: http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/hamas.asp
6
This violence have something to do with the fact that since 1948 Lebanon and Syria, and since the 1990's Hezbullah, Hamas and Iran have failed to recognize the existence of the Jewish State of Israel and have pledged to destroy Israel and kill all the Jews.
But those pesky Jews, AKA Zionists why don't they just roll over like they did for the German's and their allies in WWII. Would make things so much easier wouldn't it?
But those pesky Jews, AKA Zionists why don't they just roll over like they did for the German's and their allies in WWII. Would make things so much easier wouldn't it?
22
the years when such whining admonishments worked are over. we now see clearly who is the conquistador.
The major cause of tension and extremism, not only in the Middle East region but in the whole world, is Israeli Palestinian conflict.
Solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would take away much of the motivation for terrorism and the radicalization of Muslims in the World. Everyone's been saying that for years. We should start sending security bills to Tel-Aviv.
The mother of all terrorism in the World is the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.
There was no ISIS, Al Qaeda, Taliban, Hezbollah, or even Hamas before the invention of Israel. Israel was created by Irgun and Gangstern Zionist terrorists, led by Manahem Begin who later became Israel’s P.M.
Solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would take away much of the motivation for terrorism and the radicalization of Muslims in the World. Everyone's been saying that for years. We should start sending security bills to Tel-Aviv.
The mother of all terrorism in the World is the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.
There was no ISIS, Al Qaeda, Taliban, Hezbollah, or even Hamas before the invention of Israel. Israel was created by Irgun and Gangstern Zionist terrorists, led by Manahem Begin who later became Israel’s P.M.
16
Tony are you blaming Israel for Sunnis indiscriminately killing Shias and vice versa. Where is your common sense. What radical Muslims or Islamists are and have been doing to their own faiths has nothing to do with Palestinian Israeli conflict. This, Muslims killing each other and other faith has been going on since the days of Mohhamed. It's just that back then and really until Internet came into its own we didn't hear about it.
18
Four other people actually buy this hate-filled idiocy?
6
Sunnis and Shiites aren't killing each other in droves because of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Moslems aren't killing Christians in Africa and Iraq because of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
3
This happens every time.
Whenever there are elections coming or bb is not happy with his coalition he does something radical to invoke an attack on his country.
This makes sure that people vote for his party and the nationalist far right out of fear.
Please wake up people of Israel and you are being minupilated just so conveniently in time for elections.
Next thing is going to be an escillation, poor people on both sides will suffer. Voting day comes everyone is going to vote for these radicals and they will keep their power and innocent will suffer in the process.
Whenever there are elections coming or bb is not happy with his coalition he does something radical to invoke an attack on his country.
This makes sure that people vote for his party and the nationalist far right out of fear.
Please wake up people of Israel and you are being minupilated just so conveniently in time for elections.
Next thing is going to be an escillation, poor people on both sides will suffer. Voting day comes everyone is going to vote for these radicals and they will keep their power and innocent will suffer in the process.
4
Then if Netanyahu is reelected, you can blame Hezbollah, which is doing all it can to ensure that result!
3
What is your point, MZ? If you and I can figure this out, I am sure Hezbolla knows what they are doing. No point in speculating. All said and done, our own hands are stained and bloodied.
1
It is to the advantage of neighboring dictatorships to aggravate the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in order to deflect attention from the cauldron of dissatisfaction within their own countries.
If Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Iran were to jointly guarantee substantive economic support for Palestine (real jobs and enough trade) in exchange for a two-state solution with a cessation of military hostilities from either side, then peace could be established. Palestianians and Israelis need the same things every people and country needs - stability and reasonable prosperity.
Unfortunately, peace & prosperity are not the actual goals - dominating power is, and in that region it is winner take all.
If Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Iran were to jointly guarantee substantive economic support for Palestine (real jobs and enough trade) in exchange for a two-state solution with a cessation of military hostilities from either side, then peace could be established. Palestianians and Israelis need the same things every people and country needs - stability and reasonable prosperity.
Unfortunately, peace & prosperity are not the actual goals - dominating power is, and in that region it is winner take all.
10
Why not israel simply accepting the ARAB PEACE INITIATIVE?
A peace loving Palestinian leader is Netanyahu's worst nightmare. Netanyahu, Lieberman, and Bennet are saying private whispered prayers of ecstasy and thanks: "Thank you, Hamas!"
A peace loving Palestinian leader is Netanyahu's worst nightmare. Netanyahu, Lieberman, and Bennet are saying private whispered prayers of ecstasy and thanks: "Thank you, Hamas!"
3
Your suggestion also requires that the "substantive economic support" doesn't wind up just lining the pockets of the PA and Hamas higher ups, which it has for years now.
4
"If Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Iran were to jointly guarantee substantive economic support for Palestine (real jobs and enough trade) in exchange for a two-state solution with a cessation of military hostilities from either side, then peace could be established."
You just described the 2002 and 2007 Arab Peace Initiatives, which Israel ignored, largely for domestic political reasons.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_Peace_Initiative
You just described the 2002 and 2007 Arab Peace Initiatives, which Israel ignored, largely for domestic political reasons.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_Peace_Initiative
2
It may also be legitimate preemptiv self--defense because Isrel tries to blow up the well known Hezbollah underground cities on the Lebanese side of the border. If they dont plan their own underground city for some other underground war.
Regardless of what religion you are, I can only think that taking anothers life leaves you with a lot of mental anguish, and a sense of wrongdoing. However, people have been attacking israel for generations. Then, the people of israel name their battles of holidays from over 2000 years ago.
It's almost like a yearly event, like a county fair. That said, today, some people are saying that this (quasi-annual) scripted event is occurring because Benjamin Netanyahu is up for re-election, and political in nature.
My guess is that following the election, the people of Israel will lobby The US Congress, and other people in power to provide military services and protection because they don't have the ability to do it themselves. That investment is a US taxpayer moneypit with little return.
It's almost like a yearly event, like a county fair. That said, today, some people are saying that this (quasi-annual) scripted event is occurring because Benjamin Netanyahu is up for re-election, and political in nature.
My guess is that following the election, the people of Israel will lobby The US Congress, and other people in power to provide military services and protection because they don't have the ability to do it themselves. That investment is a US taxpayer moneypit with little return.
4
"I can only think that taking anothers life leaves you with a lot of mental anguish, and a sense of wrongdoing"
Probably not if the other has sworn repeatedly to kill you.
Probably not if the other has sworn repeatedly to kill you.
4
The Israeli military is arguably the most advanced in the world--they wouldn't have lasted this long otherwise. I don't think they'll be calling on US troops anytime soon.
4
Just another day on the Lebanese-Israeli border. Now, back to where we were.
2
This is only fair and surprisingly mild. Maybe even a legal reprisal, beause there is a war between Hezbollah and Israel without end. This is the official language of Israel in the targetted killing cases.
2
netanyahu is going to come to the US and denounce our president and demand that the US stop negotiating with Iran!
In back room deals, he will receive assurances from US legislators, who are terrified of AIPAC, that the US will go to war with israel against Iran!
Once again, US troops will be slaughtered in the ME because of vain, arrogant and small minded men who live by the sword!
In back room deals, he will receive assurances from US legislators, who are terrified of AIPAC, that the US will go to war with israel against Iran!
Once again, US troops will be slaughtered in the ME because of vain, arrogant and small minded men who live by the sword!
14
Just lock up BB here when he comes, and keep him until after the elections in Israel are over and done with.
5
What I forgot to mention is this: When netanyahu disrespects and humiliates Obama, he is humiliating and disrespecting every American who supports or voted for the President!
8
Well I voted for Obama twice (and a straight Oregon Democratic ticket in the 2014 election). But jeezze, I don't feel humiliated or disrespected, funny thing this tempest in a teapot, especially as we, the US, are meddling in the Israeli election in a much more substantial manner. http://www.algemeiner.com/2015/01/28/state-department-funded-group-repor...
Seventy years of Auschwitz yesterday ,and today Hesbollah ,poor Israel the peace is very difficult for this people that see your people always butchered and never get the peace that people aims
3
Two Israeli's get killed, and somehow it makes it to the NY Times first page. 2,100 Palestinians get killed, and it's a distant memory buried on some back page. The NY Times double-standards are nauseating.
30
Chris nobody got more coverage including in NYT than dead during the Gaza war including those fake dead that were so skilfully staged by Hamas ...
10
The Times has reported the number 2,100 in numerous articles. This article appeared on page A1:
Cease-Fire Extended, but Not on Hamas’s Terms
By JODI RUDOREN
AUG. 26, 2014
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/27/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-strip-con...
Cease-Fire Extended, but Not on Hamas’s Terms
By JODI RUDOREN
AUG. 26, 2014
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/27/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-strip-con...
I think the 2014 Gaza conflict got its share of coverage in the NYT.
This is supposed to be a newspaper, not an encyclopedia. We don't need to hear about Gaza every day, we got 24/7 coverage on a tight loop that the atrocities in Syria and Iraq, on a far larger scale, will never see in real time.
This is supposed to be a newspaper, not an encyclopedia. We don't need to hear about Gaza every day, we got 24/7 coverage on a tight loop that the atrocities in Syria and Iraq, on a far larger scale, will never see in real time.
2
Two states now, or bust.
1
Done. Lebanon and Israel are two distinct states.
1
Wikipedia says, concerning Ghajar, "Ghajar (Arabic: غجر; Hebrew: ע'ג'ר or רג'ר) is an Arab village on the Hasbani River on the border between Lebanon and the Israeli-occupied portion of the Golan Heights, internationally considered to be de jure part of Syria." Israel seems to have withdrawn from northern Ghajar, but not the southern part. - quote "The UN has physically marked the recognized border and Israeli soldiers remain on the Lebanese side of Ghajar "
It appears that the rockets may not have been fired at Israel, but at Israel-occupied territory, a distinction that the article apparently omits.
It appears that the rockets may not have been fired at Israel, but at Israel-occupied territory, a distinction that the article apparently omits.
9
This is very complicated. Perhaps the Israeli opposition leader Yitzhak Herzog could invite Rand Paul to address the Knesset, just before the elections, maybe even on the same day that Benjamin Netanyahu is addressing Congress.
13
That is not a bad idea. Mr. Herzog has just as much authority to invite Rand Paul to address the Knesset, as John Boehner has to invite Mr. Netanyahu to address a joint session of Congress. Both nations' legislatures have separation of powers and can invite speakers opposed to their national leaders. Can the Speaker of Iran's Parliament do that without losing his office, if he is lucky, or losing his head, if he is unlucky?
3
In this case I'd have to agree with the rest of the world that Israel has no right to defend itself or place soldiers on its borders. If I were Hezbollah, Iran or Hamas, I'd bring this case to the International Court of Justice in the Hague and bring charges against Israeli soldiers who interfered with the firing of anti tank missiles supplied by Iran causing much distress to the nations of Lebanon and Syria.
The Zionists have no right to defend their nation!
The Zionists have no right to defend their nation!
15
Anyone surprised? I have said before, and I will say it again. Israel should have annexed the West Bank and all of the Golan Heights. Also. the whole of the Golan Heights and the Sinai. Do you think if the situation were reversed that the arabs had any land that they would give it back? Give me a break. For every one arab who would support a peace treaty, 10 others would opt to butcher the Israelis. Hezbollah should have been destroyed when the Israelis had the chance. If countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan and Egypt want an end to fighting, they should go to Israel and confer with them. We all know what the leader of Egypt got when he did this. Abba Eban was right with Eversharp, when he said "the Arabs never pass up an opportunity to pass up an opportunity."
12
Why not israel simply accepting the ARAB PEACE INITIATIVE?
A peace loving Palestinian leader is Netanyahu's worst nightmare. Netanyahu, Lieberman, and Bennet are saying private whispered prayers of ecstasy and thanks: "Thank you, Hamas!"
A peace loving Palestinian leader is Netanyahu's worst nightmare. Netanyahu, Lieberman, and Bennet are saying private whispered prayers of ecstasy and thanks: "Thank you, Hamas!"
4
Who has ever ruled this region as a person of peace?
2
What ARAB PEACE INITIATIVE are you talking about?
Please elaborate, as I am sure you hold the answer we are all seeking!
Please elaborate, as I am sure you hold the answer we are all seeking!
6
It's only called an "escalation" when the other side responds. When Israel assassinates and murders others on foreign soil, its called an "air strike." It's time we call it how it is: two equally belligerent messianic groups trying to annihilate each other.
18
Hezbollah fears Netanyahu will lose the election and a new administration more inclined towards peaceful negotiation will take over; that must not happen.
1
I often try to say this and it often gets blocked or merely ignored, but what the heck, I'll try again.
All of this holy war is moot. The region is running out of water, some parts faster than others, but before too long it will not be habitable by humans. None of these struggles will change that doom in the slightest.
There really isn't any way of reaching a peace agreement anyway. Hezbollah and Hamas lack the military might to defeat Israel. Israel lacks the mercilessness needed to destroy either terrorist organization utterly, as doing so to either one would require killing hundreds of thousands of civilians. Hamas would have no trouble doing that (if they could), but lucky for them, Israel doesn't feel the same way.
Hezbollah and Hamas also have no desire for peace, they will only lose power from it, and they have never negotiated for it. Israel probably wants peace with them, but won't stop with provocative acts like the settlements, and probably realizes that no negotiations will ever happen anyway.
So these stories will continue, with people getting blown up for no good reason, until the water runs out. And then they will stop for all time, and the world can return its attention to things of actual importance.
All of this holy war is moot. The region is running out of water, some parts faster than others, but before too long it will not be habitable by humans. None of these struggles will change that doom in the slightest.
There really isn't any way of reaching a peace agreement anyway. Hezbollah and Hamas lack the military might to defeat Israel. Israel lacks the mercilessness needed to destroy either terrorist organization utterly, as doing so to either one would require killing hundreds of thousands of civilians. Hamas would have no trouble doing that (if they could), but lucky for them, Israel doesn't feel the same way.
Hezbollah and Hamas also have no desire for peace, they will only lose power from it, and they have never negotiated for it. Israel probably wants peace with them, but won't stop with provocative acts like the settlements, and probably realizes that no negotiations will ever happen anyway.
So these stories will continue, with people getting blown up for no good reason, until the water runs out. And then they will stop for all time, and the world can return its attention to things of actual importance.
7
Dan Stackhouse says;Hezbollah and Hamas also have no desire for peace.
Israel should stop occupying Arab lands and negotiate an honest peace deal.
Netanyahu has failed to integrate Israel in the region with the 20 Arab countries. Let us be like the nations and elect a new Prime Minister who will seek peace and pursue it until Israel can fully trade with all Arab and Muslim States. (Arab League proposal in 2002).
Israel should stop occupying Arab lands and negotiate an honest peace deal.
Netanyahu has failed to integrate Israel in the region with the 20 Arab countries. Let us be like the nations and elect a new Prime Minister who will seek peace and pursue it until Israel can fully trade with all Arab and Muslim States. (Arab League proposal in 2002).
2
Thanks for not blocking this guys, now it can get merely ignored.
But I swear I'll keep saying this until people get it: all this fighting won't produce a single drop of fresh water, and without fresh water, humanity will have to evacuate the entire Mideast. If these religulous people don't change their priorities they're truly doomed.
But I swear I'll keep saying this until people get it: all this fighting won't produce a single drop of fresh water, and without fresh water, humanity will have to evacuate the entire Mideast. If these religulous people don't change their priorities they're truly doomed.
1
One has to wonder about the Headlines on stories like this
"Missile Attack Kills 2 Israeli Soldiers Near Lebanon, and Hezbollah Claims Responsibility"
A distinctly more transparent alternative would be
"Israeli Soldiers killed in operations out side internationally recognized Israel in occupied conquered territory"
Para 13 reports that "Israel’s defense minister, Moshe Yaalon, said the airstrikes were “a clear message that we will not tolerate any fire toward Israeli territory and any violation of our sovereignty,.."
A fig leaf is then applied 24 pages into the article clarifying that these forces were not in Israel and in fact "Wednesday’s attack took place in the Shebaa Farms, an area known as Mount Dov in Israel. Lebanon considers it occupied by Israel, and Syria also claims it. Israel captured the area, along with the adjacent Golan Heights, in the 1967 war and later annexed both regions in a move not recognized by the United Nations."
The attack took place in Lebanon on foreign troop in illegal occupation - sort of like partisans attacking German forces in occupied Europe.
"Missile Attack Kills 2 Israeli Soldiers Near Lebanon, and Hezbollah Claims Responsibility"
A distinctly more transparent alternative would be
"Israeli Soldiers killed in operations out side internationally recognized Israel in occupied conquered territory"
Para 13 reports that "Israel’s defense minister, Moshe Yaalon, said the airstrikes were “a clear message that we will not tolerate any fire toward Israeli territory and any violation of our sovereignty,.."
A fig leaf is then applied 24 pages into the article clarifying that these forces were not in Israel and in fact "Wednesday’s attack took place in the Shebaa Farms, an area known as Mount Dov in Israel. Lebanon considers it occupied by Israel, and Syria also claims it. Israel captured the area, along with the adjacent Golan Heights, in the 1967 war and later annexed both regions in a move not recognized by the United Nations."
The attack took place in Lebanon on foreign troop in illegal occupation - sort of like partisans attacking German forces in occupied Europe.
17
Israel kills 3 or 4 Hezbollah officers and an Iranian General then Hezbollah kills 2 Israeli soldiers then Israel shells a Lebanese Town and kills a Spaniard. Gotta say Israel doesn't seem to be in the right in this particular series of homicides.
25
The Israelis have a legitimate reason to be on their side of the border.
Care to explain what an Iranian general was doing in the Golan Heights?
Care to explain what an Iranian general was doing in the Golan Heights?
4
I really don't know what motivations the Iranian general had for being where he was. Would you care to explain why bombing him was legitimate?
2
Because he was part of a group transferring weapons to Hezbollah to be used against Israel.
Don't believe that's Hezbollah's intent? You should take it up with them, they are constantly claiming how they have the intent and capability to destroy Israel.
Don't believe that's Hezbollah's intent? You should take it up with them, they are constantly claiming how they have the intent and capability to destroy Israel.
1
There are too many players with too many interests not the least of which is peace. Israel, Syria, Iran, ISIS, Lebanon, Hezbollah, Hamas the fractious groups of rebels fighting Assad. Each of them has an interest. So does the United States, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Jordan not to forget Mr. Putin's support of his client.
A little restraint could go along way to prevent a major conflict. Regrettably Mr. Obama has no credibility with Mr. Netanyahu who sincerely doubts support from him or his administration. Mr. Putin will make mischief as best he can while calculating how far he can go while supplying Syria with advanced weapons and not underestimate Mr. Netanyahu's ability to strike ever harder. Israel sees several threats if it responds too harshly or too lightly. Too harsh invites a regional war and Mr. Obama's wrath and too little encourages Hamas and Hezbollah to go even further.
Mr. Obama's policies toward Israel have made it feel less safe. Everyone is at risk. Everyone has something to lose. If Tel Aviv felt more secure about American support the military response could be tempered. The question now is not what Israel will do but what message will Mr. Obama send.
Without the United States firm support of it's ally, Israel, the prospect of an unwanted war is a looming threat. Cooler heads might prevail if the United States asserted it's power and role not just as peace maker, but as staunch ally. Bold American support of the nation of Israel could keep the peace.
A little restraint could go along way to prevent a major conflict. Regrettably Mr. Obama has no credibility with Mr. Netanyahu who sincerely doubts support from him or his administration. Mr. Putin will make mischief as best he can while calculating how far he can go while supplying Syria with advanced weapons and not underestimate Mr. Netanyahu's ability to strike ever harder. Israel sees several threats if it responds too harshly or too lightly. Too harsh invites a regional war and Mr. Obama's wrath and too little encourages Hamas and Hezbollah to go even further.
Mr. Obama's policies toward Israel have made it feel less safe. Everyone is at risk. Everyone has something to lose. If Tel Aviv felt more secure about American support the military response could be tempered. The question now is not what Israel will do but what message will Mr. Obama send.
Without the United States firm support of it's ally, Israel, the prospect of an unwanted war is a looming threat. Cooler heads might prevail if the United States asserted it's power and role not just as peace maker, but as staunch ally. Bold American support of the nation of Israel could keep the peace.
4
If you go back to the times before the 67 war you may understand why Israel has taken the Golan Heights. Before that time Israel, within its pre-1967 borders, was constantly assaulted with weaponry from the higher land of the Golan Heights. It was a strategic move for the safety of its people.
22
H says; It was a strategic move for the safety of its people.
1- Occupying other nation land is wrong.
2- If israel wanted to live in peace why didn´t it accept the Arab League initiative.
3- israel will never live in peace by using its military mighty powers. Not even with its nukes. israel should accept an honest peace deal as it has with Egypt and Jordan since 1967, even if it is "cold" peace.
1- Occupying other nation land is wrong.
2- If israel wanted to live in peace why didn´t it accept the Arab League initiative.
3- israel will never live in peace by using its military mighty powers. Not even with its nukes. israel should accept an honest peace deal as it has with Egypt and Jordan since 1967, even if it is "cold" peace.
3
Moshe Dayan said that 80% of the attacks on the Syrian border in 1967 were started by Israel to grab land in a DMZ.
http://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/11/world/general-s-words-shed-a-new-light...
http://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/11/world/general-s-words-shed-a-new-light...
3
tony:
1 - "Occupying other land is wrong" - and what do you do if the other land is being used to constantly stage attacks on your people? Occupying it seems a lot more reasonable than bombing the heck out of it.
2- What Arab league initiative are you talking about? Israel accepted the UN partition plan, the Arab states vowed to destroy Israel instead, and lost. I don't recall any subsequent initiative by Arabs that would allow Israel to just live in peace
3- "...Israel should accept an honest peace deal..." - Who is OFFERING them an honest peace deal? Who is accepting any peace proposals that have put forward? You can't have peace by Israel alone, when it's neighbors on ALL sides Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, literally and openly call for its destruction!
1 - "Occupying other land is wrong" - and what do you do if the other land is being used to constantly stage attacks on your people? Occupying it seems a lot more reasonable than bombing the heck out of it.
2- What Arab league initiative are you talking about? Israel accepted the UN partition plan, the Arab states vowed to destroy Israel instead, and lost. I don't recall any subsequent initiative by Arabs that would allow Israel to just live in peace
3- "...Israel should accept an honest peace deal..." - Who is OFFERING them an honest peace deal? Who is accepting any peace proposals that have put forward? You can't have peace by Israel alone, when it's neighbors on ALL sides Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, literally and openly call for its destruction!
2
Obviously the current Hezbollah antics are a calculated 'payback' for that Israeli airstrike which killed the Iranian general and several others (i.e. Hezbollah mid-level management) in Syria.
15
Isn´t peace better than wars and bloodshed? Israel has peace with Egypt and Jordan and they live in peace for many years.
Why didn´t israel accept the Arab League initiative and end this stupid conflict once for all?.
The Arab League proposal of 2002 is the most honest for all and will end Israel’s isolation.
"Israel needs to look hard at this initiative, which promises Israel peace with 22 Arab nations and 35 Muslim nations - a total of 57 nations that are standing and waiting for the possibility of making peace with Israel, “Kerry said.
Why didn´t israel accept the Arab League initiative and end this stupid conflict once for all?.
The Arab League proposal of 2002 is the most honest for all and will end Israel’s isolation.
"Israel needs to look hard at this initiative, which promises Israel peace with 22 Arab nations and 35 Muslim nations - a total of 57 nations that are standing and waiting for the possibility of making peace with Israel, “Kerry said.
11
Has the UN started to investigate Israel yet for the war crimes to come; do it as a package, kill a few Israelis and then start whining about a "disproportionate response". Be sure to keep this straight: Hezbollah, Assad, Al Queda and Iran are Shiites and kill the Sunnis; Hamas and ISIS are Sunnis and kill the Shiites. All of them kill the Jews, Christians, Hindus and Bahaii and anyone else that is left.
Avigdor Lieberman, told his Chinese counterpart during a visit to Beijing that Israel should “change its approach” and respond to the missile attack “in a very harsh and disproportionate manner".
What?! Every single Israeli military response is horrifically disproportionate, not the least of which the regular "mowing the lawn" flattening and mayhem of and in Gaza. What more should one expect from a night club bouncer now become Foreign Minister and his right-wing extremist colleagues.
What?! Every single Israeli military response is horrifically disproportionate, not the least of which the regular "mowing the lawn" flattening and mayhem of and in Gaza. What more should one expect from a night club bouncer now become Foreign Minister and his right-wing extremist colleagues.
37
I know, right? You'd think their neighboring countries would stop attacking them. It's like they don't even care about the lives of their citizens.
4
John
In WWII! We and the Brits acted "disproportionately" toward the German and Japanese civilian populations.
We killed tens of thousand of Germans in a single night when we fire bombed Hamburg and Dresden.
We killed tens or over 100 thousands of japanese when we fire bombed Tokyo and A bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
If disproportionate means you are the bad guy, by that logic we and the Brits were the "bad guys" and the Nazis and the Japanese were the "good guys" or the "victims."
Not a reasonable logic, is it? We know the Nazis and Japanese started the war, they they got pounded as a result.
In WWII! We and the Brits acted "disproportionately" toward the German and Japanese civilian populations.
We killed tens of thousand of Germans in a single night when we fire bombed Hamburg and Dresden.
We killed tens or over 100 thousands of japanese when we fire bombed Tokyo and A bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
If disproportionate means you are the bad guy, by that logic we and the Brits were the "bad guys" and the Nazis and the Japanese were the "good guys" or the "victims."
Not a reasonable logic, is it? We know the Nazis and Japanese started the war, they they got pounded as a result.
12
@Joe From Boston
Well I could argue that it was "disproportionate" although America's bombing was mostly strategic, "precision" bombings of factories and infra-structure those bombings were carried out because there was an end in sight.
There is no end in sight in the middle east unless you consider a nuclear war between Israel and Iran an ending. Have to add I don't trust the fanatics in either country to keep a nuclear war in the middle east.
Well I could argue that it was "disproportionate" although America's bombing was mostly strategic, "precision" bombings of factories and infra-structure those bombings were carried out because there was an end in sight.
There is no end in sight in the middle east unless you consider a nuclear war between Israel and Iran an ending. Have to add I don't trust the fanatics in either country to keep a nuclear war in the middle east.
Actually, we are now seeing both sides making excellent progress.
First, Israel attacks a Hezbollah military convoy, killing some Hezbollah soldiers; then Hezbollah attack an Israeli convoy, killing and wounding Israeli soldiers.
This represents a step up from barbarism for both sides - they are attacking enemy soldiers, rather than resorting to random attacks on civilians. The combatants are now operating on the level of the Napoleonic Wars, which is a great sign - let's hope that in 150 years, they will be able to co-exist without attacking each other at all; just as England and France do now, after centuries of disgusting warfare against each other.
Of course, it's true that the English and the French still exchange nasty barbs, but they have learned that it's OK to "hoot", as long as you don't shoot; a concept that Muslims seem have a particular problem with - just as Israeli seems to have a problem with seeing value in any non-European culture. But in time, everyone will catch on, and the world will be a better, safer place.
First, Israel attacks a Hezbollah military convoy, killing some Hezbollah soldiers; then Hezbollah attack an Israeli convoy, killing and wounding Israeli soldiers.
This represents a step up from barbarism for both sides - they are attacking enemy soldiers, rather than resorting to random attacks on civilians. The combatants are now operating on the level of the Napoleonic Wars, which is a great sign - let's hope that in 150 years, they will be able to co-exist without attacking each other at all; just as England and France do now, after centuries of disgusting warfare against each other.
Of course, it's true that the English and the French still exchange nasty barbs, but they have learned that it's OK to "hoot", as long as you don't shoot; a concept that Muslims seem have a particular problem with - just as Israeli seems to have a problem with seeing value in any non-European culture. But in time, everyone will catch on, and the world will be a better, safer place.
12
Peter
A significant portion of the Jewish Israeli population are "Tasmania", middle eastern Jews.
Israeli understands the Muslim world aa lot better than you seem to.
A significant portion of the Jewish Israeli population are "Tasmania", middle eastern Jews.
Israeli understands the Muslim world aa lot better than you seem to.
5
Netanyahu has done it again. Brought Israel to the brink of a stupid encounter with one of its weaker neighbors. This time though the world is topsy turvy and volatile beyond Israel's ability to control a miscue. Attacking an Hezbollah begged retaliation which Israel will not neglect of raise the stakes. Netanyahu will continue his relentless demagoguery and show up at the US Congress to a standing ovation.
23
Ms. Livni told the members of her Hatnua party that Mr. Netanyahu “is hysterical, scared and is lying,” according to the Israeli news website Ynet. “The time has come to replace him,” she said.
7
Once again Israel beats up on their neighbors and when the neighbors respond, Israel is the victim. Too BAD!
46
Lest we forget that the World and Middle East are falling apart due to the lack of peace between Israel and Palestine.
6
Priceless gobbledygook from Rudoren:
"Wednesday’s attack took place in the Shebaa Farms, an area known as Mount Dov in Israel. Lebanon considers it occupied by Israel, and Syria also claims it. Israel captured the area, along with the adjacent Golan Heights, in the 1967 war and later annexed both regions in a move not recognized by the United Nations."
I.e.: occupied territory. An attack on occupation soldiers.
"Wednesday’s attack took place in the Shebaa Farms, an area known as Mount Dov in Israel. Lebanon considers it occupied by Israel, and Syria also claims it. Israel captured the area, along with the adjacent Golan Heights, in the 1967 war and later annexed both regions in a move not recognized by the United Nations."
I.e.: occupied territory. An attack on occupation soldiers.
35
Nonsense. Hezbollah is willing to attack any Israeli, civilian or military.
The soldiers were close enough to shoot at.
Any country can defend itself from attacks from other countries.
The soldiers were close enough to shoot at.
Any country can defend itself from attacks from other countries.
5
Israel took that area in 1967, so 48 years ago, before the vast majority of Hezbollans were born (they don't live too long). It's conquered turf.
We took America by force of arms, defeated the natives, bought parts, defeated the Spanish, and claimed everything we now control. Thus, it is ours, and although we could be called occupiers, it's pointless to do so.
Israel owns that turf now, which is going to turn into useless desert soon enough anyway. If anyone can take it from them by force, the land will be theirs instead. In a century it will be nobody's, from lack of water, so really this is all pretty moot
We took America by force of arms, defeated the natives, bought parts, defeated the Spanish, and claimed everything we now control. Thus, it is ours, and although we could be called occupiers, it's pointless to do so.
Israel owns that turf now, which is going to turn into useless desert soon enough anyway. If anyone can take it from them by force, the land will be theirs instead. In a century it will be nobody's, from lack of water, so really this is all pretty moot
5
israeli soldiers were in Arab land and not in proper israel.
Carrots do not impress the men who run Israel today. They only understand the stick. Only but force and physical harm impress them.
Carrots do not impress the men who run Israel today. They only understand the stick. Only but force and physical harm impress them.
7
Israel has wasted our time since BiBi came to power. No movement towards peace, expansion of settlements, Palestinian blockade and refugee state plus complete isolation from the rest of the world.
It is in our interest to support a candidate for peace. Long overdue.
It is in our interest to support a candidate for peace. Long overdue.
26
Most people in western Europe have lost faith in Israel
Its a disgrace that Israel gives Jews a bad name by behaving in the same manner as the extremists some years back that herded Jews into designated area's put fences around and shot everyone including children that tried to climb the fences.
Then the oppressors of the Jews attacked their neighbours to make 'lebensraum' for its own ethnic group, today the Israeli government are doing exactly the same.
Israel, oh Israel make peace not war.
Its a disgrace that Israel gives Jews a bad name by behaving in the same manner as the extremists some years back that herded Jews into designated area's put fences around and shot everyone including children that tried to climb the fences.
Then the oppressors of the Jews attacked their neighbours to make 'lebensraum' for its own ethnic group, today the Israeli government are doing exactly the same.
Israel, oh Israel make peace not war.
27
How do you suggest Israel make peace with their neighbors when their neighbors can't even make peace among themselves. Israel is not perfect, and Bibi's leadership is frustrating, but they are not the problem when it comes to peace in the Middle East. Is everyone in Europe so naive?
13
Apparently many in Europe are either naive or cowed by the increasing numbers of Muslims who are immigrating there.
They do not understand that the extremists in Islam are dedicated to a Caliphate, and that the moderates in Islam or not prepared to shout the extremists down.
Europe has a problem that they are just beginning to recognize.
They do not understand that the extremists in Islam are dedicated to a Caliphate, and that the moderates in Islam or not prepared to shout the extremists down.
Europe has a problem that they are just beginning to recognize.
5
Jews evidently have more historical memory of being a minority group chased around Europe by wars among other groups who use Jews as bogeymen.
5
And again Hezbollah attacks Israel. We all waited for the end of Arab-Israeli conflict this year, but the new stage of war has began. And it can be closely connected with the weakening of relationships between the USA and Israel. The Congress doesn't support our main ally, but cooperates with Houthis!
8
Who is our main ally Margaret? The ones giving us problems instead of assistance?
3
We were withdrawn into this conflict by the Pentagon, not by Israeli people. By the way, for decades the US has provided Israel with crucial military, diplomatic and financial backing, including more than $3 billion each year in aid.
All of us realize how powerful the Jewish lobby in the USA. It makes no sense at all to try to deny the reality of Jewish power and prominence in popular culture.
All of us realize how powerful the Jewish lobby in the USA. It makes no sense at all to try to deny the reality of Jewish power and prominence in popular culture.
I think you article should highlight more to your readers the fact that a few days ago Israel killed Hezbollah fighters in Syria and the very real possibility this conflict is being entirely manufactured by Netanyahu in order to raise his credentials for the coming elections.
56
Israel attacked and killed 6 Hezbollah soldiers and plus an Iranian General in Syria. They purposely attacked three nations. Should these nations sit and accept these murders by Israel?
And when they retaliate against Israel's initial action they are deemed "terrorists"? In any part of the world, those three nations are justified.
If Israel attack them again, the response is going to be the same.
Israel need to respect its neighbors, and they will get respect in turn. Simple as that.
And when they retaliate against Israel's initial action they are deemed "terrorists"? In any part of the world, those three nations are justified.
If Israel attack them again, the response is going to be the same.
Israel need to respect its neighbors, and they will get respect in turn. Simple as that.
47
Simple as what?
An Iranian general in Syria? Doing what? Going on vacation?
In the company of Imad Mugnia's son. Imad Mugnia's was the head of the military wing of Hezbollah. You think that the son was also on vacation, or picking wild flowers? They were there to plan an attack on Israel.
War is nasty. People die.
An Iranian general in Syria? Doing what? Going on vacation?
In the company of Imad Mugnia's son. Imad Mugnia's was the head of the military wing of Hezbollah. You think that the son was also on vacation, or picking wild flowers? They were there to plan an attack on Israel.
War is nasty. People die.
13
Peace between israel and its Arab World is the solution. Even if it is cold peace.
netanyahu is the problem
Netanyahu has failed to integrate Israel in the region with the 20 Arab countries. Let us be like the nations and elect a new Prime Minister who will seek peace and pursue it until Israel can fully trade with all Arab and Muslim States. (Arab League proposal in 2002).
netanyahu is the problem
Netanyahu has failed to integrate Israel in the region with the 20 Arab countries. Let us be like the nations and elect a new Prime Minister who will seek peace and pursue it until Israel can fully trade with all Arab and Muslim States. (Arab League proposal in 2002).
8
Joe from Boston. What an Iranian general is doing in Syria is none of your business now is it? Do we explain why a US general visits Israel when he/she does?
3
If the Hezbollah are smart, I am sure they have launched these strikes from heavily populated civilian areas, hiding behind their "women and children."
That's been the Hamas terrorists' playbook.
That's been the Hamas terrorists' playbook.
13
All is happening according to prophecy. This is it, folks. You all knew it was coming.
If you're speaking of the general prophecy, that religious fanatics cannot live peacefully near people of other religions, that's accurate.
If you're talking about some Nostrildamus or Revelations prophecy, all of that is nonsense. It's been disproven continuously, ever since the rather drunk writers jotted it down. However, folks that buy into it do tend to be of the religious fanatic type, and they work at making their oddball prophecies come true.
If you're talking about some Nostrildamus or Revelations prophecy, all of that is nonsense. It's been disproven continuously, ever since the rather drunk writers jotted it down. However, folks that buy into it do tend to be of the religious fanatic type, and they work at making their oddball prophecies come true.
2
They work at making dead people's prophesies come to pass.
1
I hope for their sake that the Israelis elect a center left government before right wing politicians like Netanyahu, Lieberman and Bennet drive the country over the cliff. These right wingers are living in what they believe are "the good old days" when if Israel was attacked, they could count on a guaranteed win due to superior armaments and the skill of their troops.
The reality today is a different story. Hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria have a huge arsenal of missiles that make Hamas' armaments look like toys; and Hamas has undoubtedly retained a lot of its inferior but still lethal missiles from the recent war and added to the arsenal. ISIS is at the border and its the richest terrorist group in the world. If the armed enemies outside Israel and the occupied territories attack all at once, there will be an infintada in the West Bank. In sum, Israel may be overwhelmed.
To make matters worse, Israel has alienated the Obama Administration which administers US foreign policy, and there is a definate possibibility, given Netanyahu's rudeness and insult to the President by not following protocol, that the US will abstain from the next successful peace mandate in the UN, thereby forcing Israel by international law to quit stalling and allow formation of a Palestinian State.
Israel needs to focus on peace, IMMEDIATELY, or it may be destroyed.
The reality today is a different story. Hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria have a huge arsenal of missiles that make Hamas' armaments look like toys; and Hamas has undoubtedly retained a lot of its inferior but still lethal missiles from the recent war and added to the arsenal. ISIS is at the border and its the richest terrorist group in the world. If the armed enemies outside Israel and the occupied territories attack all at once, there will be an infintada in the West Bank. In sum, Israel may be overwhelmed.
To make matters worse, Israel has alienated the Obama Administration which administers US foreign policy, and there is a definate possibibility, given Netanyahu's rudeness and insult to the President by not following protocol, that the US will abstain from the next successful peace mandate in the UN, thereby forcing Israel by international law to quit stalling and allow formation of a Palestinian State.
Israel needs to focus on peace, IMMEDIATELY, or it may be destroyed.
113
" there is a definate possibibility, given Netanyahu's rudeness and insult to the President by not following protocol, that the US will abstain from the next successful peace mandate in the UN..."
Philip, for as long as (pro-Israel) Jewish campaign money is the fuel of the American political system that is NEVER going to happen.
Philip, for as long as (pro-Israel) Jewish campaign money is the fuel of the American political system that is NEVER going to happen.
8
I doubt that the US will ever abstain from a UN mandate that is not in Israel's interests. I don't think the scenario you envision will play out any time soon.
6
Israel cannot focus on peace until Hamas, etc. accepts Israel's right to exist rather than trying to wipe it out.
7
Oh look a new border conflict just before the elections !
How convenient for Netanyahu.
How convenient for Netanyahu.
33
So this, according to the Times, is "the most serious flare-up in the area in [...]years". Weird. You'd have thought the Israeli attacks inside Syria - in blatant violation of international law and clearly designed to support ISIS, a group that provides Israel both with a proxy against Assad and his Hezbollah allies and a convenient bogeyman they can conflate with their own enemies at the same time - would have been considered serious.
36
Good point, I think when Israel killed a couple thousand people in Gaza, that was roughly a thousand times more serious, by body count. And equally serious things have happened when those guys shot up a synagogue, or that guy knifed a lot of Israelis on a bus, or all the other attacks that occur every week on average. This one really just seems like everyday business in the region.
If it is a manufactured crisis as some suggest, does the manufacurer or manufacturers assume Lebanon's nation-state status would survive more fuel on the fire (destruction, deaths, displacements, disorder) or would it be in its or their interest for Lebanon to dissolve? Are the protagonists assuming IS would be unable to exploit a resulting political and security vacuum in Lebanon? Are there any overarching strategies guiding the tactical responses?
The good news is, in the race to the bottom, there's no bottom.
The good news is, in the race to the bottom, there's no bottom.
1
With the volatile mix of ideologies flaring over the entire region, Israeli hawks apparently sees the need to create some 'breathing room' by openly joining the fracas then take a defensive 'victim' stance for any retaliation that follows.
Netanyahu's policies are surprisingly amateurish and only serve to boost his hawkish ego while feeding contempt on the world stage. The UN needs to fully condemn Israel's assassination programs - the only country that openly conducts these 'operations' on a large scale.
Netanyahu's policies are surprisingly amateurish and only serve to boost his hawkish ego while feeding contempt on the world stage. The UN needs to fully condemn Israel's assassination programs - the only country that openly conducts these 'operations' on a large scale.
100
Aside from staging favorable conditions for his reelection, Netanyahu and supporters may see a need/opportunity to "mow the lawn" in Southern Lebanon. Defang Hezbollah, a permanent security threat regardless of one's views of Israel, and take some pressure off the Assad regime. Israel can't resolve the Syria question, but it can attempt to create a security zone North of its border which may directly or peripherally include the surviving strength of Assad et al. Buy some time and change the dynamics.
Great - so let's let the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and their arm-to-the-teeth Hizbollah allies open a new front against Israel in the Golan, an area that has been relatively calm for the last 40 years? What are Iran's interests in this?
3
Sure. And there's no such thing as DynCorp or Blackwater to put you in your place and make you obey right here in the good old US of A. You betcha.
Can the Israeli bombing of Lebanese schools and hospitals be far behind? Followed immediately thereafter by pronouncements that Israel had incontrovertible evidence that those buildings were really missile sites. We've seen this script before.
25
A war will guarantee that Mr. Netanyahu will be re-elected. Continuous ping pong attacks and retaliation will guarantee the same.
Hezbollah is a terrorist organization and works hand in hand with Iran. It also claims to have 100,000 missiles trained on Israel. Most Israelis believe that. Under conditions of tension, most voters will put aside complaints about Mr. Netanyahu and not risk a Center-Left government and an untried new Prime Minister.
Mr. Netanyahu can address Congress or the House of Lords for that matter. None of it will matter if the situation gets worse or remains the same. The Likkud and Bayit ha-Yehudi will sweep the elections.
Hezbollah is a terrorist organization and works hand in hand with Iran. It also claims to have 100,000 missiles trained on Israel. Most Israelis believe that. Under conditions of tension, most voters will put aside complaints about Mr. Netanyahu and not risk a Center-Left government and an untried new Prime Minister.
Mr. Netanyahu can address Congress or the House of Lords for that matter. None of it will matter if the situation gets worse or remains the same. The Likkud and Bayit ha-Yehudi will sweep the elections.
8
I can't help but note that as the region is known as "The Holy Land," an oft-quoted, and widely believed part of the "Holy" in that name is the old saw about "an eye for an eye."
You bomb us, we rocket you,
and so on and so on and so on.
You bomb us, we rocket you,
and so on and so on and so on.
Israelis fire missiles into to kill Hezbollah guys and Iranian general.
Hezbollah fires missile back and kills Israeli soldiers.
How is this described as terrorism? Sounds like a war to me. I wonder if Israel can wage war without killing thousands of civilians again. Going to be hard to play that card again with the Palestinians in the International Court. Last time the IDF took on Hezbollah they got rather stymied.
Still, the Israelis have gone six months or so without starting a war. Must be getting kind of itchy trigger fingers over there.
Clearly part of Israel's intention to scuttle any nuclear treaty between the US and Iran. A war and a visit to a Republican Congress ought to do the trick, right?
Pretty telling that Netanyahu's friends in the American government are Boehner, McConnell, Cruz, McCain, etc. Real progressives.
Thankfully, the world, and maybe even Israeli voters have begun to see through Netanyahu and his cynical warmongers.
Hezbollah fires missile back and kills Israeli soldiers.
How is this described as terrorism? Sounds like a war to me. I wonder if Israel can wage war without killing thousands of civilians again. Going to be hard to play that card again with the Palestinians in the International Court. Last time the IDF took on Hezbollah they got rather stymied.
Still, the Israelis have gone six months or so without starting a war. Must be getting kind of itchy trigger fingers over there.
Clearly part of Israel's intention to scuttle any nuclear treaty between the US and Iran. A war and a visit to a Republican Congress ought to do the trick, right?
Pretty telling that Netanyahu's friends in the American government are Boehner, McConnell, Cruz, McCain, etc. Real progressives.
Thankfully, the world, and maybe even Israeli voters have begun to see through Netanyahu and his cynical warmongers.
38
The missile attack by the Lebanese resistance militia of Hezbullah did not take place "along the Lebanese borders", it took place in the occupied Lebanese village of Shebaa. Yur correspondents from Beirut should be more accurate and I am sure they know the difference between attacking Israeli soldiers "along the border with Lebanon" and attacking an occupying force on Lebanese territory.
Another remark to clarify certain minds: the "insurgents" on the Northern borders are not opposition Syrian soldiers fighting the regime, they are ISIS terrorists belonging to different nationalities trying to infiltrate Lebanon as they did in Syria and Iraq. Hezbullah's presence in Syria and precisely near the our southern border where his soldiers were killed by an Israeli missiles on Syrian territory, is to fight Jabhat al Nusra another name to Isis, and to prevent it from infiltrating Lebanon from the south. It is no secret that Israel is helping those terrorists.
Another remark to clarify certain minds: the "insurgents" on the Northern borders are not opposition Syrian soldiers fighting the regime, they are ISIS terrorists belonging to different nationalities trying to infiltrate Lebanon as they did in Syria and Iraq. Hezbullah's presence in Syria and precisely near the our southern border where his soldiers were killed by an Israeli missiles on Syrian territory, is to fight Jabhat al Nusra another name to Isis, and to prevent it from infiltrating Lebanon from the south. It is no secret that Israel is helping those terrorists.
109
Your comment would have merit if Sheeba Farms/Har Dov were Lebanese.
The UN, after studying historical maps of the region, declared that it was in fact originally Syrian.
The IDF did occupy the northern part of Ghajar (which is ironically Alawite) in Lebanon, for some time after the 2000 withdrawal. Israel left that, despite pleas from the citizens (they didn't want their town divided and didn't want to lose their access to work in Israel), in order to fully withdraw from all Lebanese territory. The UN has certified this.
Also, Israel is helping the moderate Syrian rebels on the Golan - not the extremists. They have provided aid to the villages there since almost the beginning. It wasn't until a few months ago that Sunni extremist groups took over territory in the Golan. They haven't attacked Israel because they know they would lose the sympathy of the moderate population, who Israel has helped almost primarily with non-lethal aid (field hospital, food, water, blankets, etc.). Israel has curried favor and thus prevented an escalation on their territory - their intent is solely to help themselves. The notion that they are supporting one side versus the other in Syria is a myth, one apparently prevalent in Lebanon.
The UN, after studying historical maps of the region, declared that it was in fact originally Syrian.
The IDF did occupy the northern part of Ghajar (which is ironically Alawite) in Lebanon, for some time after the 2000 withdrawal. Israel left that, despite pleas from the citizens (they didn't want their town divided and didn't want to lose their access to work in Israel), in order to fully withdraw from all Lebanese territory. The UN has certified this.
Also, Israel is helping the moderate Syrian rebels on the Golan - not the extremists. They have provided aid to the villages there since almost the beginning. It wasn't until a few months ago that Sunni extremist groups took over territory in the Golan. They haven't attacked Israel because they know they would lose the sympathy of the moderate population, who Israel has helped almost primarily with non-lethal aid (field hospital, food, water, blankets, etc.). Israel has curried favor and thus prevented an escalation on their territory - their intent is solely to help themselves. The notion that they are supporting one side versus the other in Syria is a myth, one apparently prevalent in Lebanon.
9
The United Nations, no friend of Israel, certified in 2000 that Israel completely evacuated all Lebanese territory. This was reconfirmed by Resolution 1701 in 2006. To claim that Israel is occupying a Lebanese village is simply to ignore the facts. Hezbullah has made this claim, with no grounding in fact or in law, to create a pretext for its cross-border violence against Israel.
13
Nadia, thanks for that unbiased report from Beirut. I didn't know that Israel was supporting ISIS.
3
Netanyahu believes he gains not by enhancing Israeli security or its citizens' sense of security, but by fostering and pandering to fear and paranoia. At war or not, Israel exists and will continue to exist in a hostile neighborhood, to say the least. There will be hostility from states and from populations. Does Netanyahu think that Israel is more secure dealing with existing states, or with terrorists bred and nourished by the increase in failed states? Does he think that he looks better in the U.S.A. fighting terrorists, rather than existing in the quasi-war/fragile peace posture that exists between Israel and the states that are its neighbors? Is Israel really more secure if Assad goes, with the likely result that Syria becomes a failed state and Lebanon follows, with ISL running free there, with the ONLY internal counterbalance in either country being the Shiites, backed by Iran? Does Netanyahu have a mission to answer the dreams of U.S. neo-cons by manipulating the U.S. into a full-scale war with Iran?
14
Netanyahu deliberately provoked this response from Hezbollah in a cynical attempt to sabotage our President’s negotiations with the Iranians.
25
Obama's negotiations = concessions
3
Apparently the Conservative military of Iran, part of the Conservative Iranian theocracy that seeks nuclear weapons, arms and controls Hezbollah as it's proxy, deliberately acted on the provocation.
2
What an absurd remark.
Is Hezbollah now fighting a proxy war on behalf of the US? How else does US Israeli relations "provoke" a response from Hezbollah?
Is Hezbollah now fighting a proxy war on behalf of the US? How else does US Israeli relations "provoke" a response from Hezbollah?
Hezbullah is an extension of the Iranian regime. It supports
Assad for the same reason Iran does. Its army is no less part of the Iranian military than the Revolutionary Guards. Lebanon is a Hezbullah-run rump state. It is Iranian-occupied territory.
Hezbullah’s terror tentacles stretch from Europe to Africa
to central and East Asia. Hezbullah operatives are still wanted by Interpol for mass murder of Jews in Argentina. In the past year alone, from Thailand to India to Azerbaijan to Turkey to Cyprus to Bulgaria, Iranian government agents or their Hezbullah proxies have been arrested in the act of planning or executing terrorist attacks.
Inside Lebanon itself, here is a terrorist army which brazenly
assassinates the prime minister, has used Lebanese territory to launch a war on Israel which brought great devastation, used its arms to defy the previous government and massacre its political opponents, has murdered numerous journalists and politicians who have dared criticize it, and will undoubtedly, sooner or later, use its 100,000 missiles to attack Israel again.
When that time comes the reaction from Israel will be much greater
because the Lebanese government (and army) itself is Hezbullah-controlled.
As for Lebanon, unless the sensible Lebanese free their
country of this Iranian occupation force, great destruction lies ahead.
Assad for the same reason Iran does. Its army is no less part of the Iranian military than the Revolutionary Guards. Lebanon is a Hezbullah-run rump state. It is Iranian-occupied territory.
Hezbullah’s terror tentacles stretch from Europe to Africa
to central and East Asia. Hezbullah operatives are still wanted by Interpol for mass murder of Jews in Argentina. In the past year alone, from Thailand to India to Azerbaijan to Turkey to Cyprus to Bulgaria, Iranian government agents or their Hezbullah proxies have been arrested in the act of planning or executing terrorist attacks.
Inside Lebanon itself, here is a terrorist army which brazenly
assassinates the prime minister, has used Lebanese territory to launch a war on Israel which brought great devastation, used its arms to defy the previous government and massacre its political opponents, has murdered numerous journalists and politicians who have dared criticize it, and will undoubtedly, sooner or later, use its 100,000 missiles to attack Israel again.
When that time comes the reaction from Israel will be much greater
because the Lebanese government (and army) itself is Hezbullah-controlled.
As for Lebanon, unless the sensible Lebanese free their
country of this Iranian occupation force, great destruction lies ahead.
13
I don't like the double standards often applied to Israel and Iran, that is to say, when Israel does anything it is seen as defensive, or justified, even when taking Palestinian land. But when Iran does anything in its interest, it is always seen as a terrorist act. Both nations are acting in their own self interests, and judging by the actions of Netanyahu, Iran has every right to think Israel wants war, so Iran has every right to defend itself.
A wise man once said, war is the terrorism of the rich and terrorism is the war of the poor, we need to stop differentiating conflict to suite our own prejudices, all conflict promote terror, the goal should be not to terrorize anyone, including poor Middle East nations.
A wise man once said, war is the terrorism of the rich and terrorism is the war of the poor, we need to stop differentiating conflict to suite our own prejudices, all conflict promote terror, the goal should be not to terrorize anyone, including poor Middle East nations.
32
What are the legitimate Iranian interests on the border with Israel?
Indeed Iran does have self-interests and that is strengthening Hezbollah, a terrorist organization intent on destroying Israel.
Excuse us for not waiting all the time to give them a chance.
Indeed Iran does have self-interests and that is strengthening Hezbollah, a terrorist organization intent on destroying Israel.
Excuse us for not waiting all the time to give them a chance.
109
Perhaps if Iran hasn't been calling for the destruction of Israel for decades you would have a point. Alas, you don't.
19
Iran's interests have more to do with propping up Syria's Alawite-dominated Baathist regime as a check against regional Sunni ambitions, most notably of late those of ISIS which receives a continual flow of aid from the U.S.'s regional ally, Saudi Arabia.
Israel is not going to be destroyed by invading Hezbollah fighters. It is going to be destroyed by its own hubris and refusal to come to just terms with the Palestinian majority now living under Israeli rule. When the Palestinians recognize that the two-state solution is dead and start instead demanding equal rights and the vote in a single bi-national state, Israel's days as a Jewish supremacist state will be numbered. No number of ginned up "wars" with Hezbollah or Hamas will change this.
Israel is not going to be destroyed by invading Hezbollah fighters. It is going to be destroyed by its own hubris and refusal to come to just terms with the Palestinian majority now living under Israeli rule. When the Palestinians recognize that the two-state solution is dead and start instead demanding equal rights and the vote in a single bi-national state, Israel's days as a Jewish supremacist state will be numbered. No number of ginned up "wars" with Hezbollah or Hamas will change this.
2
Once again, as seen in these comments especially, moral equivalency raises its ugly head. Bottom line there is no comparison. Israel is a modern first world democracy that wants nothing more than to be left alone to develop hi tech and bio pharma that would benefit the world. It really would rather not get into a war again. Hezbollah on the other hand is a corrupt gangster theocracy that has done what to help the world or even its own people lately - any Hezbollah pharmaceuticals, any Hezbollah fiber optics lately? Hmm thought not - they are the only ones interested in war - ugly brutal medieval siege warfare is the only thing Hezbollah knows or can produce - there is no equivalency between these two cultures and the world knows it.
154
"Israel is a modern first world democracy that wants nothing more than to be left alone to develop"
Only it wants to develop on the lands stolen from another people. Israel is a hi tech country, I admit, but how does that rationalize its imprisonment of over a million people in the ghetto called Gaza? I fail to follow your logic.
Only it wants to develop on the lands stolen from another people. Israel is a hi tech country, I admit, but how does that rationalize its imprisonment of over a million people in the ghetto called Gaza? I fail to follow your logic.
13
One thing wrong with your argument - left alone Israel will continue to occupy lanf belonging to Palestinians, and continue to make life miserable for them so that they leave. They cannot be left alone until they choose to give up on greater Israel.
10
Israel exists due to US largess; Netanyahu should remember that.
4
According to international law, an attack from the territory of a state against a neighbor is an act of aggression by that state. THE STATE OF LEBANON IS ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ATTACK. In fact, the Lebanese government (and army) itself is Hezbullah-controlled. Israel is legally justified to respond, and respond fiercely, to deter the terrorists from repeating their attacks and to force the Lebanese state to carry out its responsibility to control the use of its territory.
116
Puh-lease, invoking international law and Israel in the same post is comedy.
29
According to international law [as per your quote], an attack from the territory of a state against a neighbor is an act of aggression by that state. THE STATE OF {ISRAEL} IS ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ATTACK.
Clearly this is retribution for Israel's frequent illegal attacks on it's sovereign neighbors and the killing of their citizens.
Clearly this is retribution for Israel's frequent illegal attacks on it's sovereign neighbors and the killing of their citizens.
18
It was in occupied Lebanese village of Shebaa. In addition Israel started it by attacking Hezbolah convey in Syria in cooperation with ISIS.
5
What this piece failed to mention is that an Israeli retaliation mortar attack killed a UN peacekeeper, a corporal in the Spanish Army.
10
Actually it does mention that.
5
The article does mention the death of the Spanish U.N. peacekeeper at the hands of the Israelis in the immediate counterattack. However, no indication is given whether the killing was intentional or accidental. With all its foes, it's not as if Israel is trying to pick a fight with the U.N. Odds are those responsible either didn't know the peacekeeper was in harm's way, or knew it but felt they did not have enough time in the immediate counterattack to avoid a friendly fire incident. I don't expect the U.N. to mount a significant response to this incident. But perhaps there is a lesson here for the increasingly cantankerous combatants: it's high time to pay more heed to the non-combatant victims of war and ask honestly whether such consequences (e.g., millions of displaced and starving Syrians) are serious enough to merit reconsideration of knee-jerk attacks, the planning and execution of which are so often completely dominated by base considerations of vengeance and/or deterrence. If what you do to exact revenge or deter aggression has a tendency to get out of hand, it would be prudent to reconsider. Of course that assumes the key decision makers are capable of being prudent. Perhaps that's too much to ask?
4
Gear up the Iron Dome and then level the Hezbollah controlled sector of Beirut, once and for all, and remove the Hezbollah cancer that threatens Lebanon's sovereignty.
9
The Spanish soldier killed by Israeli artillery fire is Francisco Javier Soria, 36 years old.
15
There is no victory in war, just dead bodies....
4
There is always victory in war, when one side wins. This always requires dead bodies, but humans are good at producing that and always have been. Very few wars end in a tie though, nearly always there is a definitive victory, and in this case I hope Israel wins in the end.
6
War is driven by exponentials.
Every arab nation remains in a state of official or unofficial war with Israel. The "peace" agreements with Egypt and Jordan are unreliable. Israel knows all this.
12
If Bibi is smart there is his excuse NOT to come speak to Congress, He probably could find other excuses but this fits perfectly into his "victimhood".
9
“JERUSALEM — Two Israeli soldiers were killed and seven were wounded in a missile attack on a military convoy in a disputed area along the Lebanese border on Wednesday,”
This attack happened in Ghajar and the location according to wiki is,” Ghajar is an Arab village on the Hasbani River on the border between Lebanon and the Israeli-occupied portion of the Golan Heights, internationally considered to be de jure part of Syria. Its inhabitants are members of the Alawite community.Wikipedia”
And buried deep in the report/article is the reason why it happened,” That exchange came nine days after a deadly airstrike, attributed to Israel, on a convoy in the Syrian portion of the Golan Heights. The airstrike killed five fighters from Hezbollah, including the son of the group’s slain military commander, Imad Mughniyeh, and an Iranian general….”
Need I say more about the reporting or editorializing the news by Times.
It is time for Netanyahu to go as he escalating the situation for his own elections.
Our leadership must tell him to cool it. Both sides must restrain this tit for tat to become a full-fledged war between Lebanon and Israel, interestingly both would be using our equipment too.
Netanyahu is the problem and I do not understand how our elected leaders can sit in the joint session and listen to him blabber about Iran to mock our President.
PEACE is the answer. WAR is not.
This attack happened in Ghajar and the location according to wiki is,” Ghajar is an Arab village on the Hasbani River on the border between Lebanon and the Israeli-occupied portion of the Golan Heights, internationally considered to be de jure part of Syria. Its inhabitants are members of the Alawite community.Wikipedia”
And buried deep in the report/article is the reason why it happened,” That exchange came nine days after a deadly airstrike, attributed to Israel, on a convoy in the Syrian portion of the Golan Heights. The airstrike killed five fighters from Hezbollah, including the son of the group’s slain military commander, Imad Mughniyeh, and an Iranian general….”
Need I say more about the reporting or editorializing the news by Times.
It is time for Netanyahu to go as he escalating the situation for his own elections.
Our leadership must tell him to cool it. Both sides must restrain this tit for tat to become a full-fledged war between Lebanon and Israel, interestingly both would be using our equipment too.
Netanyahu is the problem and I do not understand how our elected leaders can sit in the joint session and listen to him blabber about Iran to mock our President.
PEACE is the answer. WAR is not.
47
"peace is the answer"? oh my. are you wearing a tie-dyed t-shirt as you write this? what does that even mean? that Israel shouldn't defend itself? Hamas and Hezbollah are very clear about wanting to destroy Israel; should Israel just pretend that's not the case?
Netanyahu is not the problem; Obama and his bizarre love for the Iranian mullahs is the problem.
Netanyahu is not the problem; Obama and his bizarre love for the Iranian mullahs is the problem.
7
Actually you do need to say more. Where your ellipses trail off is the reasoning behind Israel's initial attack: Iran and Hezbollah were in the process of launching an attack on Israel. Israel has some of the best military intelligence in the world (one of the reasons the US has maintained such a close alliance with them), and seeing as how the UN nor any other world leadership has yet to condemn Israel's action last week, it reasons that there was solid evidence behind their preemptive strike.
4
President Obama is committed to Diplomacy and diplomacy involves both the carrot and the stick. As far as Iran is concerned the problem is not our understanding of the situation by our president, but the hyperbole of the people such as Netanyahu and his antics.
It is time for him to go so that we may have peace in the Middle East.
I am not one for interfering in any foreign country's politics, my only point is for my elected leaders to stand for the interest of my country, the US and not any foreign land; last time I checked Israel was a foreign country and required passport and visas for US Citizens.
It is time for him to go so that we may have peace in the Middle East.
I am not one for interfering in any foreign country's politics, my only point is for my elected leaders to stand for the interest of my country, the US and not any foreign land; last time I checked Israel was a foreign country and required passport and visas for US Citizens.
5
This is a calculated escalation triggered by the recent killing of Hezballah and Iranian officials by Israel. It seems Israel, and most likely their Arab sunni allies are eager to further weaken Hezballah. The sad part is that its always civilians who end up paying the price. One thing for sure will be the further escalation of an already volatile and explosive situation. Perhaps an all out war.
60
And weakening Hizbollah is bad?
7
Apparently not in your spoon-fed world.
There won't be "all out war" because Hezbollah doesn't have a military. No air force, no navy, not much in the way of heavy weaponry. They're just a band of terrorists acting with impunity in Lebanon and lawless Syria.
Israel can, if it wants the bad press, pummel them into submission with light casualties. Hezbollah cannot seriously harm Israel. So there will be no actual war, just punitive actions, and since Israel pulls its punches I'd say no more than 10,000 civilians would die before Hezbollah would once again beg for mercy so they could retreat and reload.
Israel can, if it wants the bad press, pummel them into submission with light casualties. Hezbollah cannot seriously harm Israel. So there will be no actual war, just punitive actions, and since Israel pulls its punches I'd say no more than 10,000 civilians would die before Hezbollah would once again beg for mercy so they could retreat and reload.
1
Those who think "there is only one side to this conflict" prefer simplistic bromides to complex realities. Hezbollah is not ISIS or for that matter "Islamic Extremists". That should be clear from the fact that Hezbollah is on the ground fighting the Islamic Extremists, in Syria, something no country in the West, or for that matter its middle Eastern allies, is doing. An attack of retaliation on Israeli forces for their own aggression, while misplaced - it will only enable the Right in Israel - is hardly "terrorism" against civilians. You can be "for" Israel, or "against terrorism", without taking a knee-jerk approach to every episode.
That kind of approach is what gets us into these quagmires in the first place. We (including Canada, which no longer even has a diplomatic presence in Iran) should be talking to all parties to end all the violence. For a start, let's not label every episode like this "terrorism" or equate every group with the absolute worst groups and motives.
That kind of approach is what gets us into these quagmires in the first place. We (including Canada, which no longer even has a diplomatic presence in Iran) should be talking to all parties to end all the violence. For a start, let's not label every episode like this "terrorism" or equate every group with the absolute worst groups and motives.
116
Calling their military units "martyr brigades" suggests that they are religious extremists.
9
You make too much careful sense for anyone to listen to you.
2
There is a reason Hezbollah is on the list of terrorist organizations.
3
As dire as the situation in Syria is, if Hezbollah and Israel start mixing it up, conditions will only deteriorate further. This isn't 2006. The entire region is ready to explode. The question isn't where is the instability, it's where is the stability. Instability is now the norm.
Hezbollah has some serious weaponry, not just a bunch of homemade rockets. Israel will respond with their weapons, which are even more lethal. We could very well see Israeli divisions roll into Lebanon, and it that happens, they will be forced to roll into Syria also.
Why is it that just when some progress is being made on the Iranian nuclear issue, their proxies in Lebanon start fighting with Israel? There are so many conflicting interests competing against each other in all these nations, that is is impossible to make any progress towards peace. This flare up may very well be intended to derail progress with Iran, regardless of who started it.
The analysts are wrong when they say that war is not wanted. War is the way issues are settled over there. War is middle eastern term for negotiation. In this situation, all sides hate each other. No alliances can be formed. We have Assad, the so called moderate rebels, the head chopping ISIS invaders, Hezbollah, Hamas, al Qaeda, and other groups too numerous to mention. They all hate each other and all want to dominate the region. They in turn all hate Israel. This only gets worse.
Hezbollah has some serious weaponry, not just a bunch of homemade rockets. Israel will respond with their weapons, which are even more lethal. We could very well see Israeli divisions roll into Lebanon, and it that happens, they will be forced to roll into Syria also.
Why is it that just when some progress is being made on the Iranian nuclear issue, their proxies in Lebanon start fighting with Israel? There are so many conflicting interests competing against each other in all these nations, that is is impossible to make any progress towards peace. This flare up may very well be intended to derail progress with Iran, regardless of who started it.
The analysts are wrong when they say that war is not wanted. War is the way issues are settled over there. War is middle eastern term for negotiation. In this situation, all sides hate each other. No alliances can be formed. We have Assad, the so called moderate rebels, the head chopping ISIS invaders, Hezbollah, Hamas, al Qaeda, and other groups too numerous to mention. They all hate each other and all want to dominate the region. They in turn all hate Israel. This only gets worse.
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Israel is allergic to casualties, they aren't rolling into anyplace with serious opposition.
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And in Syria they would have the same problems as Hezbollah and Asad, given the fact that any moderate "Free Army" isnt visible.
Uh, Israel started this by deliberately knowingly targeting harmless persons across the border in Syria.
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Where is the article on Israeli forces killing Hezbollah and Iranian commanders? This escalation is a reaction to Israel’s provocation. It's election time and once again Netanyahu relies on creating fear for votes.
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Did I miss the story detailing Israel's provocative aggression nine days ago, a crucial detail buried here several paragraphs down?
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What you missed was the mounting of a full-scale terrorist attack right on
Israel's border. You'd have Israel wait to be attacked and suffer ever more casualties-- and even then, you would have them not respond because that would be an escalation. Every other country can defend itself, but to people like you, Israel is always wrong, always provocative, and always evil. Why do you suppose that is?
Israel's border. You'd have Israel wait to be attacked and suffer ever more casualties-- and even then, you would have them not respond because that would be an escalation. Every other country can defend itself, but to people like you, Israel is always wrong, always provocative, and always evil. Why do you suppose that is?
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Lots of folks are saying here the Lebanese got bombs from Iran. Where are the bombs made that Israel drops on Gaza? Where do the fighter jets that hold them come from? The US of course. Does it really make that much difference in the end where these bombs come from?
The real question is why people feel the need to bomb each other.
The real question is why people feel the need to bomb each other.
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Israel withdrew from Gaza nine years ago. Where did the bombs, rockets and materials to build the terrorist tunnels into Israel come from? Why didn't the Gazans spend the last nine years building up Gaza instead of concentrating on sending hundreds of rockets each year into Israel.? Who gave Hamas the materials and technology to be used solely for the purpose of killing Israelis? Why should Hezbollah care about the existence of Israel? Instead Hezbollah has destroyed the country of Lebanon. It does matter where the bombs are coming from because Hezbollah and the Palestinians are being used as proxies by Iran in an effort to destroy Israel. Israel must and will defend itself.
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George, the problem is that one side announces its plan to push the other into the sea -- and the other takes that plan and the Iranian spying and resupplying to be serious.
If Canada had British jets and guns and swore every day that it would destroy the U.S. forever, would you allow them some freedom to act?
If Canada had British jets and guns and swore every day that it would destroy the U.S. forever, would you allow them some freedom to act?
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Israel still imposes an air and sea blockade on Gaza, so has not in fact withdrawn. And it still occupies the West Bank, with full US support. These facts motivate global resistance to the Israeli occupations.
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Hezbollah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, ISIS, and Al Queda are all terrorist groups that call for the total annihilation of the State of Israel and Jews everywhere around the world. Israel has every right to protect its citizens against terrorist groups, and no matter how repulsive the current Israeli Prime Minister is to many people, including myself, no leader of any democracy would allow terrorist groups to attack its citizens or soldiers with impunity.
I read comments on this site from people criticizing Israel's concerns about Iran. Iran and Hezbollah have conducted terrorist attacks against Jews around the world that have taken the lives of not only Israelis, but Jews who do not live in nor are from Israel.
Israel has every right in the world to protect itself from any group or nation that calls for its liquidation. Yesterday was Holocaust Remembrance Day. The only way to ensure that another Holocaust against the Jewish people never again happens is for the sworn enemies of Israel to know that Israel will stand firm and strike back hard against any attempts by terrorist nations and the groups they support to inflict murder upon Jews in Israel and anywhere else around the world.
I read comments on this site from people criticizing Israel's concerns about Iran. Iran and Hezbollah have conducted terrorist attacks against Jews around the world that have taken the lives of not only Israelis, but Jews who do not live in nor are from Israel.
Israel has every right in the world to protect itself from any group or nation that calls for its liquidation. Yesterday was Holocaust Remembrance Day. The only way to ensure that another Holocaust against the Jewish people never again happens is for the sworn enemies of Israel to know that Israel will stand firm and strike back hard against any attempts by terrorist nations and the groups they support to inflict murder upon Jews in Israel and anywhere else around the world.
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Isreal already has the arsenal to destroy the whole region. What if it developed the delusions about the path to paradise that motivate all the self-destruction to lash out at Israel by its regional foes?
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As much as you dislike the Prime Minister, you must admit that he has been effective in preserving Israel's national defense during his previous terms in office.
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Yes, yesterday was Holocaust Remembrance Day. In his very eloquent speech, Ron Lauder traced the linkage between demonization through writing and speech and violence. He talked of the fact the demonization emerged from the Middle East but found fertile ground elsewhere.
He also said that the object of the new antisemitism is Israel about whom lies and distortions are told all the time and that a lie repeated thrice becomes the truth.
Allowing constant comment threads on these articles that produce repetitive hostile interpretations of the conflict, by ordinary people who are fed their knowledge from a source that itself has an obsessive, hostile focus on Israel, certainly contributes.
Of course, I agree that Israel has the absolute right to take out hostile forces and missile conveys aimed at it.
He also said that the object of the new antisemitism is Israel about whom lies and distortions are told all the time and that a lie repeated thrice becomes the truth.
Allowing constant comment threads on these articles that produce repetitive hostile interpretations of the conflict, by ordinary people who are fed their knowledge from a source that itself has an obsessive, hostile focus on Israel, certainly contributes.
Of course, I agree that Israel has the absolute right to take out hostile forces and missile conveys aimed at it.
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Hezbollah would be foolish to fight a large war with Israel if they're busy helping out Assad in Syria. Fighting a war on two fronts- they could lose both, and that might have serious political consequences for Hezbollah. It could also make Iran look foolish for supporting such follies. Both groups are just going to have to swallow their pride and accept the fact that they've probably got more to lose than the Israelis this time around.
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Hezbollah works for Iran. They have little choice in the matter.
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However, it may be too late for Hezbollah, as it has instigated war on a new front. The likelihood of Hezbollah being squeezed between two fronts, one to the east in Syria and one to the south in Israel cannot be dismissed. The actions of anti-Lebanese insurgents from Syria are another factor in the mix.
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Asad decides.
Another terrorist attack on Israel. Hezbollah deserves to be hit in the teeth.
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Was the unprovoked Israeli attack on Hezbollah nine days ago that this is a response to also a "terrorist attack" or do you just reserve that term for the other team?
Anyone who reads Israeli newspapers knows what is really happening here. Netanyahu is hoping to spark a war or at least some sort of renewal of armed conflict with Hezbollah in the run-up to the Israeli elections. That is also why he will be addressing a joint session of Congress at the invitation of its Republican leadership.
Netanyahu knew that the attack on Hezbollah would eventually bring a response and that the response would get more media attention that the original Israeli attack. He now has the pretext he needs to escalate and that is just what he will do so long as it serves his larger purposes which have precious little to do with either peace or security, and everything to do with maintaining his own hold on power.
Anyone who reads Israeli newspapers knows what is really happening here. Netanyahu is hoping to spark a war or at least some sort of renewal of armed conflict with Hezbollah in the run-up to the Israeli elections. That is also why he will be addressing a joint session of Congress at the invitation of its Republican leadership.
Netanyahu knew that the attack on Hezbollah would eventually bring a response and that the response would get more media attention that the original Israeli attack. He now has the pretext he needs to escalate and that is just what he will do so long as it serves his larger purposes which have precious little to do with either peace or security, and everything to do with maintaining his own hold on power.
4
The Arabs could actually try peace, and cease attacks on Israel, to achieve their goals. That's the one thing they haven't tried yet. Terrorism and the murder of civilian men, women, and children, have not gotten the Arabs what they want.
But of course they keep saying that the murder of civilian men, women, and children is what they want.
But of course they keep saying that the murder of civilian men, women, and children is what they want.
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Too bad they don't believe that martyrdom is reserved only to those who kill themselves and nobody else.
10
Truth is blunt and bitter. Had Israel not killed Hezbollah and Iranian commanders, the escalation would not have happened. While Israel is sympathised, the other is demonized for committing the same crime. I am convinced I live in a world of manipulations and lies.
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Mohammed, was the Hezbollah general killed by the Israelis simply taking a vacation near the Israeli border? Or was he planning an attack on Israel?
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Targeting terrorists does not make one "deserve" terror. There is no moral equivalency.
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When people want to perpetuate war, they kill off those who are in a position to negotiate peace.
Iran loves to start wars they can have their proxies fight for them.
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Iran, are you kidding, don't you mean Israel starts and America finishes?
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Brad:
You must have confused the countries here.
It used to be and still is Israel loves to start wars they can have US fight for them.
Faramarz Fathi
You must have confused the countries here.
It used to be and still is Israel loves to start wars they can have US fight for them.
Faramarz Fathi
5
Here we go again...a manufactured escalation of aggression just in time for Benyamin Nethanyahu's re-election campaign. It would be tedious if it wasn't for the loss of lives on all sides.
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This was deliberately engineered by Hezbollah and had they not wanted to contribute to Netanyahu's re-election effort, they would have held their fire!
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and why is Israel not subjected to hold its fire?
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In response to tewfic el-sawy
Netanyahu benefits because it supports his aggressive policies. Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations benefit because this delays any peace efforts and allows them to keep fighting.
Netanyahu benefits because it supports his aggressive policies. Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations benefit because this delays any peace efforts and allows them to keep fighting.
1
this time the fight started when Israel gave itself the liberty to kill 6 members of Hezbollah and an Iranian Commander in Syrian territory.
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Again, please note that " ...Hezbollah and its Iranian patron had been building an infrastructure in the Syrian Golan Heights with which to attack Israel."
I personally would not want to be at the border when Hezbollah starts firing rockets etc.
I personally would not want to be at the border when Hezbollah starts firing rockets etc.
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What about the IED's planted on the border in the months before?
I happened to be in the Golan the morning after an IED wounded four IDF soldiers last March. The IED was planted by Hezbollah along the border fence. It wasn't the first and wasn't the last.
Jihad Mugineyeh and his Iranian friends weren't a few thousand feet from the Israeli border to pick apples and play around in the snow.
I happened to be in the Golan the morning after an IED wounded four IDF soldiers last March. The IED was planted by Hezbollah along the border fence. It wasn't the first and wasn't the last.
Jihad Mugineyeh and his Iranian friends weren't a few thousand feet from the Israeli border to pick apples and play around in the snow.
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In response to Adil
Do you feel the same about the terrorists killed by the recent American drone attacks? Those killed were not mere members of Hezbolllah. They were the head of the snake.
Do you feel the same about the terrorists killed by the recent American drone attacks? Those killed were not mere members of Hezbolllah. They were the head of the snake.
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Israel is instigating this conflict, just like it instigated the past conflicts with Gaza. It is time to cut ties with this brutal, militaristic country.
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Really? Since 1948 after the UN resolution, Israel whether you like it or not, has been a nation. It has sustained what no other country has which includes wars, attacks on civilians and terrorism against its citizens in foreign lands including the Olympic Village. Why would a small country "instigate" conflict with enemies who greatly outnumber them. Perhaps the writer can find better examples of "brutal militaristic" regimes to turn his attention to.
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I'd like to see you live surrounded by barbarians out for your destruction just to time how long it takes you to change your tune. My guess is 60 seconds.
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What were Hezbollah and the Iranians doing in the Syrian controlled Golan Hts? The preemptive strike was necessary by Israel to disrupt the deadly plans of these terrorists. Any other country would do the same. You live in Libya and yet you crtiticize Israel for defending itself. Look what is going on in your own country. Do you support terrorism?
Hamas fired hundreds upon hundreds of rockets for the past nine years since Israel gave up the occupation of Gazan territory. Hezbollah has fired rockets at Northern Israel for many years. Unfortunately, these unprovoked attacks are not reported enough in the media. What would the US do if rockets were fired daily into our territory from Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean?
Hamas fired hundreds upon hundreds of rockets for the past nine years since Israel gave up the occupation of Gazan territory. Hezbollah has fired rockets at Northern Israel for many years. Unfortunately, these unprovoked attacks are not reported enough in the media. What would the US do if rockets were fired daily into our territory from Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean?
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It's time for Netanyahu to go. His hawkish, neocon policies have done nothing but foment discord. His disrespect for our president and our sovereignty further reveals his agenda and will only lead to Israel's isolation. We elected Obama as our commander in chief, and our chief diplomat...twice. I'm convinced that any world leader who regularly appears on Sean Hannity's programs is far more concerned with political gains and hubristic self-aggrandizement than actual long-term resolutions.
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Why? He has proven himself particularly effective in managing Israel's national defense against Hezbollah and Hamas terrorism. If, and when, he fails to perform effectively, it will be up to the Israeli electorate to decide whether to retain him. His performance in the pending Hezbollah war, like the recent "Operation Protective Edge," will be the real test of whether he should be re-elected!
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As much as I agree with you, if the Israelis don't, it doesn't matter.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
I asked him, “Son, what is it with you? Is it ignorance or apathy?”
He said, “Coach, I don't know and I don't care."
I asked him, “Son, what is it with you? Is it ignorance or apathy?”
He said, “Coach, I don't know and I don't care."
Hezbollah is no different than ISIS or other terrorist Islamists.
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Says the expert in middle East groups. Of course they are different, very different. Isis is Sunni, Hezbollah is Shiite. Hezbollah is a force in the Lebanese parliamentary system, ISIS is without any democratic aspiration and wants the 7th century caliphate. Dumbing down the debate does not help.
8
Agreed - except of course that they are Shiites, not Sunnis like ISIS.
"Hezbollah is no different than ISIS or other terrorist Islamists."
Many will agree with that statement, and many others will find it absurd. I see many differences, but some similarity in the reason both groups came to exist.
Hezbollah came into existence after Israel invaded and occupied Lebanon.
ISIS came into existence after the US invaded and occupied Iraq.
It's possible -- likely, in my view -- that neither group would exist today if Israel hadn't invaded and occupied Lebanon and if the US hadn't invaded and occupied Iraq. So you're right: the two groups are similar, at least in that respect.
Many will agree with that statement, and many others will find it absurd. I see many differences, but some similarity in the reason both groups came to exist.
Hezbollah came into existence after Israel invaded and occupied Lebanon.
ISIS came into existence after the US invaded and occupied Iraq.
It's possible -- likely, in my view -- that neither group would exist today if Israel hadn't invaded and occupied Lebanon and if the US hadn't invaded and occupied Iraq. So you're right: the two groups are similar, at least in that respect.
8
It takes the article many paragraphs to admit that these attacks were responses to the previous, severe Israeli strike.
We should further review the whole context.
1. Hezbollah and the West are de facto allies in Syria, where the main enemy is now Isis. The current Israeli governments main enemy is defined as Iran, i.e. Hezbollah more directly. It openly tries to reorient American policy against this enemy.
2. There is an Israeli election where the support for PM Netanyahu and Likud seem to be eroding. War always helps the rRight, or so it is assumed.
In Israel, a newspaper like Haaretz points to these links every day, and commentators use them routinely to explain the causes of the current border conflict. Why cannot you at least enter tain the possibility that the Right Wing Government of Israel is responsible for what is happening?
We should further review the whole context.
1. Hezbollah and the West are de facto allies in Syria, where the main enemy is now Isis. The current Israeli governments main enemy is defined as Iran, i.e. Hezbollah more directly. It openly tries to reorient American policy against this enemy.
2. There is an Israeli election where the support for PM Netanyahu and Likud seem to be eroding. War always helps the rRight, or so it is assumed.
In Israel, a newspaper like Haaretz points to these links every day, and commentators use them routinely to explain the causes of the current border conflict. Why cannot you at least enter tain the possibility that the Right Wing Government of Israel is responsible for what is happening?
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The Right Wing government of Israel is only responsible for its own behavior. On the flip-side, nobody is response for Hezbollah rocket attacks except Hezbollah. There. Both sides are responsible for resorting to war rather than mediation. That's the playing field for you.
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In response to Andrew Arato
Where do you get the facts to support your assertion that Israel's main enemy is Isis? Have you forgotten the the missiles launched by Hamas from Gaza into Israel? Haaretz is an extreme left wing newspaper. I may not agree with all of Israel's policies, but using unsupported opinions to create an argument is not logical.
One can also argue that Hezbollah is an enemy of the US because it is affiliated with organizations that commit terrorist acts against the West including holding for ransom and beheading innocent people.
Where do you get the facts to support your assertion that Israel's main enemy is Isis? Have you forgotten the the missiles launched by Hamas from Gaza into Israel? Haaretz is an extreme left wing newspaper. I may not agree with all of Israel's policies, but using unsupported opinions to create an argument is not logical.
One can also argue that Hezbollah is an enemy of the US because it is affiliated with organizations that commit terrorist acts against the West including holding for ransom and beheading innocent people.
3
Can you not at least entertain the possibility that Hizbollah and Iran (and ISIS for that matter) do not accept Israel's right-to-exist in any form, at any time. It does not matter to them who governs Israel, right or left.
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Missiles made and supplied by Iran ought to be returned there over their nuclear weapon sites.
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And how many countries has the US supplied missiles to?
3
Using that logic, I would have to assume that you propose that missiles made and supplied by US to its (former) allies ought to be returned over our nuclear weapon sites? Observing recent unprovoked Israeli aggression against the hand that has continually fed it since 1948, I would say that is very likely discussed by the unhinged leader of the Likud.
1
There is only one side in this conflict that: vows Death to America; beheads civilian captives; stones women to death; murders homosexuals; launches indiscriminate rocket attacks against civilian targets; uses it own civilians as human shields when it launches rockets; and on and on. If America is to win against that side then it must support, without hesitation, its democratic allies in this war. And it, and its allies must fight to win – not to appease, not to compromise, but to win.
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It is not Hezbollah. And ISIS where your description fits, is not subject of this article.
5
To win a jihad, you have to change how people think.
2
Brothers in jihad. And, absent stoning and beheading, identical behavior. They are both enemies of the West.
5
This is what passes for "peacemaking" in the Middle East.
4
The ultimate peacemaker for the Middle East would be a single hydrogen fusion warhead. No more war there after that, ever.
Dan, I totally agree with you! Maybe it would go better the second time around.
1
And Israelis should elect Avigdor Lieberman their new head of state. Such an outcome would be a much more sincere statement of the Israeli national identity and outlook in the region.
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I for one think Israel should elect doves, not hawks- Unless you want to see MORE conflict in the Mideast, not less.
1
MZW
It take an agree ment between two parties to make peace, but the acts of only one to make war.
Which Arab leader do you suggest is prepared to make peace?
Egypt made peace, and Jordan made peace and those treaties have held for decades.
Got another Arab country that will step up to the plate?
It take an agree ment between two parties to make peace, but the acts of only one to make war.
Which Arab leader do you suggest is prepared to make peace?
Egypt made peace, and Jordan made peace and those treaties have held for decades.
Got another Arab country that will step up to the plate?
Where was the missile made and come from? Could it be Iran? Just stop kidding anybody, Iran is the root of most of the problems that impact Israel. Time to stop the nuclear talks and put more sanctions on. When Iran behaves themselves, we can look into moving ahead.
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And where did the weaponry that Israel used to kill innocent Gazans come from? The US' arms production is bought with my taxes and used in my name to do evil throughout the Middle East.
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Doesn't Saudi Arabia match Iran weapon for weapon when it comes to pouring more weapons into this conflict?
4
"Innocent Gazans" well that is hilarious. Sure, they never kill people in the name of religion, randomly, constantly. Gaza's motto is, drive Israel into the sea, slay them all. I think it'd be a lot easier to drive Gaza into the sea and that's probably the simplest way to end this conflict permanently, plus give that area the ability to be livable in fifty years. The way Gazans pollute it, use up its resources, and breed, it will be unlivable soon anyway.
5
And still Obama refuses to meet with Netanyahu, or to approve his visit to the U.S. to address Congress. Our only real ally in the Middle east continues to fend off rocket attacks by the radical Islamist states that surround them while Obama visits Saudi Arabia to kowtow to their newest despot. Sad but true.
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Look who President Obama travels with. James Baker III and Condi Rice. The same entourage Bush would have brought to greet the new king.
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To be perfectly fair, Netanyahu is exploiting partisan politics in the United States. And what does it mean when he directly addresses congress? Who does Netanyahu work for? Does he work for the Israeli people, or does he just like to pander to right wing congressmen?
The guy's had what, four terms in office now? Maybe Obama should go address the Knesset and tell them "Hey guys, how about some term limits for your leaders?"
The guy's had what, four terms in office now? Maybe Obama should go address the Knesset and tell them "Hey guys, how about some term limits for your leaders?"
9
Netanyahu should be banned from visiting US forever.
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Perhaps Israel should not target Hez'b'allah officials and leaders if Israel does not wish an armed conflict outsode of her borders. Perhaps if the Israeli regime and nation acrually wanted peace, not conquest, none of this would be happening.
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Exactly who does Israel want to conquer? What land have they taken except when attacked themselves? And invariably they have agreed to return any land taken as a part of war with their Arab neighbors. CAF in Seattle lives in a protected bubble, unlike Israel which lives surrounded by Islamic radicals who will settle for nothing less than Israel's complete destruction.
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Or perhaps if Hezbollah was not a terrorist organization fighting in Syria with Iranian backing none of this would be happening.
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Perhaps if Hezbollah wasn't pledged to wipe Israel out? Selective attention much?
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