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Thursday Aug 13, 2009
The Other View: Winds of War - Israel and Lebanon
Posted by Ziad Khalil Abu Zayyad
Comments: 45
    
The Israeli government has recently threatened that should Hizbullah join Beirut's incoming government, it would respond to any attack launched by Hizbullah by targeting Lebanon itself. Israel stated that if Hizbullah attacked any Israeli anywhere it was prepared to attack targets on Lebanese soil. Hizbullah officials stated in response that the organization was even stronger today than at the beginning of the Second Lebanon War in 2006, and that its armed wing was well prepared for any possible confrontation with Israel. The officials also stated that Israel would not dare start a new war with Lebanon since the United States would not support such a move at the current time. Although both sides claim that there are no winds of war in the north, they seem to be acting just as they did before the 2006 war. Both continue to prepare for the next battle while claiming that nothing serious is going on. Hizbullah has not yet reacted to the death of Imad Mugniyeh, for which it blames Israel, but continues to state that it is its right to take revenge at any time and place for the assassination of one of its important leaders. The equation is further complicated by Hizbullah's ties to Iran. Neither will take action without deliberation and complete cooperation. The Second Lebanon War was launched by then-Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert in response to the kidnapping of three Israeli soldiers by Hizbullah. According to Hizbullah, the kidnapping was aimed at securing the release of Lebanese prisoners held for years by Israel. The sensitivity of the situation is also increased due to the Iranian threat, which Israel wants to put an end to as soon as possible. According to several reports, Israel requested a green light from the White House to launch an attack against Iranian targets while the Islamic Republic was preoccupied with demonstrations and internal conflict over the controversial re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. As neither side wants to launch an unprovoked attack, they are each waiting for the other to make a misstep so a new round of fighting can begin. When writing about the Middle East, one can always be sure of being proved right in predicting war. The question is always when, not if. This is because parties in the region are more interested in launching wars in than finding a diplomatic solution.
1 |
Chris, Israel,
Thursday Aug 13, 2009
I disagree with the claim that Israel is not interested in diplomacy. In the least, such a claim is always controversial, since it contradicts the statements made by Israeli politicians. On the other hand, Hizbullah, Hamas and Iran do not want to pay diplomacy even a lip service.
2 |
Avrohom - Israel,
Thursday Aug 13, 2009
aid writes, "Israel seems to be waiting for Hizbullah to make one wrong step so it can launch a new war and release the pressure the new American administration has been putting on it." You are spinning faster than a dreidel. Hizbollah is a terrorist organization and has been the aggressor against Israel. If it becomes part of the government in Lebanon then and attcks Israel, the government of Lebanon is part of the aggression. This is a fact, a statement that can't be refuted. The ast battle was started bu Hizbollah aggression period. Too bad Lebanon hates peace and loves war.
3 |
Ziad Khalil Abu Zayyad,
Thursday Aug 13, 2009
Avrohom...Your problem is that you just keep on looking for any word to disagree with :) Take your time and enjoy it!
4 |
JE USA,
Friday Aug 14, 2009
Avrohom, I would hope that Israel would focus on diplomacy. Your comments re: Washington's potential reaction are interesting. Ziad is partially correct. If Israel makes a few very strategic strikes in Lebanon, Washington will probably give Israel a "pass" and more time. Iran may not even make a move. However, if Israel attacks Lebanon in the style of Cast Lead or even the 2006 conflict, expect more pressure from Washington and Iran will most certainly react. More Iranian involvement would be tough for everyone. BTW: I don't believe that the Lebanese people love war any more than Israelis.
5 |
Gina USA,
Friday Aug 14, 2009
Israel does what it must in order to protect itself from people who are hostile to its very existence. Many of Israel's attempts at peace were met with bloodshed. Does Hizbullah want peace with Israel? What good actions have they taken for the sake of peace?
6 |
Aryeh (not the knuk),
Friday Aug 14, 2009
I actually commend this article. I might like his total viewpoint, but I don't see him taking sides. just equating them, which I don't agree with, He basically stated only facts except at the end. But I noticed something, His personal introduction states that he is a Palestinian-Arab living in East Jerusalem. Wow, imagine, he is not Israeli but someone from an enemy state living in the capitol, enjoying a college aducation. This shows how much Israel is willing to go for peace. Could you see the same for an Israeli Jew attending a college in Beruit?
7 |
Ziad Khalil Abu Zayyad,
Friday Aug 14, 2009
Aryeh, I have been living in Jerusalem with my family which were here before the establishment of the Israeli state...It is my right to speak and write not because israel is doing me a favor but because it is my right....YOur words seems to be threatening since you are talking as if democracy is something which ISrael is doing as an extra work...No it is not like this...democracy is an obligation and is not discussed by being measured with other countries...I am not taking sides because what i want to introduce are facts about both sides and leave the reader to choose.
8 |
Marcel Florida,
Friday Aug 14, 2009
Diplomiatic solutions with Islamic jihadists and Arab dictators have proven to be an exercise in futility and worthless as Mohammed's temporary hudna with his enemies proved to be.
We know the game Islam is playing with Israel.
That is something any astute observer can learn from this long Middle East saga where infidels
are treated as bad as Moslems treat fellow Moslems.
9 |
Joseph Lessard,
Friday Aug 14, 2009
You can always count on the Muslims to attack. Israel on the other hand has tried time and time again to make peace. She has given up land--and held out the olive branch on numerous occasions--only to be met with rocket fire and caffe suicide bombings. You cannot negotiate with Muslims. it is imbedded in their Koran and the Hadith to only make peace with your enemies until you are strong enough to conquer. It is a war like society and religion. They will out breed you, and eventually find a way to out gun you if you are not vigilant. G-d bless Israel. I would like to take up the gun in aid.
10 |
a cohen,
Friday Aug 14, 2009
Dear Mr. Abu Zayyad, most unfortunately we are victims of the same "Arab an Islamic mentality and traditions" constantly expressing themselves throughout the world. Most unfortunately from Southern Philippines, to Thailand, to India, to China, Pakistan, Iran, Chechnya, Lebanon, Palestine... and all the way to Nigeria, and now Europe your mentality of hate, your tribal culture unfortunately for all of us is putting the whole world in danger.
11 |
Avrohom - Israel,
Friday Aug 14, 2009
JE and Ziad, you are spinning gain. Israel does not attack anyone. Israel defends itself. You call it 'looking for any word to disagree with". Oh well, that is your problem that you are unwilling to speak clearly, or you choose to speak deceivingly. Israel does launch wars. When Arabs learn to live in the real world and understand this is our land and our country, legal and recognized, and Arabs put down thier aggression and offensive posture and stop waging war with Israel, we will no longer have the need to defend ourselves against Arabs. Take your time and enjoy it.
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benyitzhak, usa,
Friday Aug 14, 2009
in this authors world, Israel is a war monger, while the poor innocent pals and brothers are victims. this distorted view does not account for the reality that israel has not had a day of peace from the pals or their brothers since rebirth, only acts in self defense, and that the pals have rejected statehood since it was offered in the 40's. The only occupation of any consequence is the pals preoccupation with killing jews christians, and each other instead of declaring statehood. Nothing could stop Israel from realizing statehood, and thriving since. What is stopping them?
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jinny-los Angeles,
Saturday Aug 15, 2009
you cannot have diplomacy with terrorist and you cannot make peace with someone who wants to kill you and all your family and all your nation. When Lebanon starts acting like a soveirgn nation instead of a tool for Hizbullah and Syria, then I am sure Israel will be the first to the table.
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ralph geneva,
Saturday Aug 15, 2009
Not only wasn't the UN resolution 1701 about disarming Hezbollah implementes but it seems that this Organization has about 40.000 rockets ! What did UNIFIL and the Lebanese Government do ?
What for are those weapons ?. Hezbollah will find an excuse to launch rockets and then accuse Israel to have attacked. As usual they will use civilians ans human shield and the world will once
again blame Israel. This is the never ending story between terrorist organizations and terrorism supporting countries and Israel.
Ralph
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dov goldberg,
Saturday Aug 15, 2009
israel is the greatest lesson the arab world will ever learn
16 |
jonah Viet-Nam,
Saturday Aug 15, 2009
So what ? War against Israel has always been what the Arabs want. So come, filth column included.
17 |
JE (enjoying it in the) US,
Saturday Aug 15, 2009
Avrohom, The real world... Israel and Palestine have each created their own fantasies. Anyone who believes that Israel can or should be destroyed, is living in a fantasy world. Anyone who believes that Israel will not need to acknowledge the damage done to the Palestinian population & make concessions, is also living in a fantasy world. This is not acceptable to your neighbors or the rest of the world. From where I sit, both sides have a long way to go. You could start by actually listening to the other side & instead of having crazy knee jerk responses, you could engage in a real dialogue.
18 |
Kelky f USA,
Saturday Aug 15, 2009
maybe the Leb army will fight Hezbullah like hamas is killing Al queadas ...if we have patience...they will all kill each otehr. the prob is there so many of them ...dont they ever use condoms or get out of bed.
19 |
Leo961, Canada,
Sunday Aug 16, 2009
weird that the decadends of moses dont read history. every city in palastine has its arabic name. whats been taken by force will be retaken by force, thats history. For those who want to ignore history, muslims opened jeruslem will less than fights as islam reach europe and radicals tried to purify europe as hitler did with the jews and if am not mistakes other races were on the list as arabs. To the people of the book, non a prophet came out from the middle east. Yes, who conquers jeruslem will contorl the world no doubt, but we been promised long time, that it will be returned back...
20 |
kunza,
Sunday Aug 16, 2009
Isreal never defends itself. It occupies territory and then "attempts" to protect it, killing numerous in the wake of such 'enlightened' actions. Amazingly the government somehow adds kilometers and square feet of territory to Israel and upon reclaimation it only ends up adding to the walls. If the occupation is so rightful why the walls?why all the forces in Palestine? Why the fear of Syria and Lebonan? Because the Golan heights, East Jerusalem and west Jordan are all occupied territories and the Jews were only allowed settlement for protection from Hitler and his forces, not for occupation!
21 |
Avrohom - Israel,
Sunday Aug 16, 2009
kunza, #20, in your world the sun rises in the west, summer is cold, daytime is dark, and you are intellectually sound. Let's look at facts, not your spin and fiction. Arabs attacked us in 48, 56, 67 73 in the 80s, 90s and this decade. Now kunza, these are indisputable facts. Your fiction belongs in thw comics. Why the barier? Well, it puts a damper on the unending Arab aggression against Israel and Jews that are part of the facts, the facts you deny. No need to reply kunza. We have no need for your fiction.
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Gina, USA,
Sunday Aug 16, 2009
Leo, Kunza, you know that Israel has been the land of the Jews since Biblical times, but was taken by force by other nations, who then occupied the land! You know what happened in '67! Arab states attacked Israel to destroy it. By the grace of G-d, Israel defended itself, prevailed and won back some of its land in a war that they did not make. You don't understand the walls? For protection against people who want to kill Israeli civilians. Why the fear of Syria, Lebanon, etc.? Cuz they want to wipe Israel off the map! Stop ignoring, denying and twisting the truth! JE you have to listen too!
23 |
Ziad Khalil Abu Zayyad,
Sunday Aug 16, 2009
Avrohom...i already know what you will write before reading your comment :) Try to make a change and stop being captured in your own hate cave.
24 |
GB - USA,
Monday Aug 17, 2009
Kunza - from your writing it shows you haven't a clue about reality or is it that you don't want to acknowledge it. Totally off the wall.
25 |
JE USA,
Monday Aug 17, 2009
Gina, Do you deny the right of the Palestinians to remain in their ancestral homeland? When we talk about Palestinians, understand that they are not the "Arab States". They are people, descendants of the Canaanites, the Greeks, the Romans, the Egyptians... all who preceeded the Israelites (their cousins). Some historians have argued that the first terrorists of the 20th cent. were the Israeli Zionists who rose up against the British Mandate. I am not calling either Israelis or Palestinians terrorists but just pointing out that there are many different views about the history of the region.
26 |
JE USA,
Monday Aug 17, 2009
Avrohom- I wish we could have an actual discussion. I respond to your thoughts and you don't seem to even read what I write before responding. Everyone who posts comments here really does care about the fate of the region and your country. You may not believe it but we moderates are your best hope for peace, not the radical Israelis, not the radical Palestinians, and not the US Christian conservatives. It is going to take more than rhetoric to advance peace. It is going to take open minds and open hearts. If you continue to bury your head in the sand, onions will grow out of your ears.
27 |
Aryeh (not the Knuk),
Tuesday Aug 18, 2009
So Mr. Zayyad, you are an Israeli. My apologies, but I only commented on what was written in your personal introduction. I can only say that we have certain things in common. My family originally came from Israel (Palestine) but were forced out around 400 years ago by the Turks. My family always had a continued presence in the land until then. When they tried to come home they were not allowed. I also disagree with another thing, democracy is not a right, it is something that has to be earned. Just look at the US and you should be able to understand this.
28 |
Ziad Khalil Abu Zayyad,
Tuesday Aug 18, 2009
Mr Aryeh...With all my respect and sympathy for what your family had to go through...the issue of my right to live freely is not a gift given...every man is born free to express his opinion and beliefs...unless we are living under the rule of Nazis or those who are against humanity..The international law implies on Israel and any other state which occpuies a land to assure the rights of those who were living on it before the occupation until a solution is found between the two sides. One is to be given the right of expression...So again it is not a matter of earning..it is a norm :)
29 |
Avrohom - Israel,
Tuesday Aug 18, 2009
JE #17, as soon as Arabs start acknowledging the barest of facts there will be someone to speak with. I am a moderate. I understand that Arabs feel displaced and am willing to address their concerns even if it means compromise of our legal, moral and historical position. I see absolutely no recognition of facts and reality from Arabs. I see spin and revision and lack of accountablity from Arabs. We have made concessions over and over again, even in the face of continued attacks and aggression from Arabs. Let me know whan Arabs come to the table to compromise. We have been there since 48.
30 |
Avrohom - Israel,
Tuesday Aug 18, 2009
Ziad #23, if you already know what Iwill write, it seems amazing you argue with me. I am only writing the facts. Stop spinning and stop historical revision and then you will be able to come to the table to compsromise on issues with us. We have been waiting for a real partner for compromise and resolution since 48. We will never accept Arab demands that fly in the face of historical fact and continued Arab aggression. Go ahead and try to argue the fact that rabs started wars against us in 48,56,67, 73, from the PLO in Lebanon in the 80s, the Arab intifadas in the 90s and this decade etc.
31 |
Avrohom - Israel,
Tuesday Aug 18, 2009
JE #25, you wrote, "When we talk about Palestinians, understand that they are not the "Arab States". They are people, descendants of the Canaanites". How do you expect to be taken seriously? Your comment is absolute fiction. Not that it would matter anyway. But you insist on such foolishness to bolster some rights that do not belong to you. The facts are precisely not what you write. Please. What year was this latest spin of yours revised?
32 |
alain,
Tuesday Aug 18, 2009
Hey ABU! 1)There are almost no countries in the world where there are no-territorial-disputes among segments of the population or with neighboring countries.
2)As you know, around 200,000 years ago humans (homo sapiens sapiens) left Africa and spread around the world. Who owns what?
3)There are: 57 Muslim countries (6-7 more on the way), 22 Arab countries. Islam is not in danger, Arabic language is not in danger, ask the Europeans!
33 |
alain,
Tuesday Aug 18, 2009
ABU! also 4) Muslims countries occupy 25% of the world surface area with 22% of the world population. LUCKY YOU!
5) There are more differences between Texans and New Yorkers then between Palestinians and the rest of the Arabs. Jordan is 60% Palestinian and there are no differences in their language, culture, religion etc..
6)Hey ABU! Compassion! doesn't the QURAN say: share your wealth (5-10%) with others?!
34 |
JE USA,
Tuesday Aug 18, 2009
Avrohom #31... It is typical of persons who wish to deny the human, political and legal rights of another group to disenfranchise them and re-write history to suit their own agenda. This is what you presume: that the nomadic Israelite tribes were the first people to live there? You are crazy! You really should learn the anthropological history of the land you call home. I am interested enough to study from the US. You should be interested enough to study from where you sit. #29... I wonder what you are calling "the barest of facts"... Please elaborate. Not all Arabs or Israelis "spin".
35 |
Avrohom - Israel,
Thursday Aug 20, 2009
JE USA, #34, you wrote, "It is typical of persons who wish to deny the human, political and legal rights of another group to disenfranchise them and re-write history to suit their own agenda." You are correct. That is exactly the spin Arabs put on Jews and our connection to Israel, and the Arab's own fictional connection to Canaanites. Our connection to this land, and to har HaBayoit and the absolute absence of any connection of the modern Arab to Canaanities are all undeniable. Yet Arabs put this propaganda out daily in order to disenfranchise Jews. Thank you for your astute statement.
36 |
Avrohom - Israel,
Thursday Aug 20, 2009
JE USA #34 (cont.), once again write your own words, attribute them to me, and then criticize me for them. How long will you continue this ninsense. Where did I ever write "that the nomadic Israelite tribes were the first people to live there?" Nomadic? Sit down before you fall over from the spinning. Stop projecting your own historical condition on us. There is not one shread of evidence that the nomadic Arabs living in this land taday have any tie with Canaanites, none whatsoever. JE, you have no leg to stand on. You cannot argue with us honestly. We do not accept fiction as fact.
37 |
JE USA,
Thursday Aug 20, 2009
Avrohom, First of all, BOTH SIDES have tried to deny the others' connection to the land. Second, there is irrefutable DNA and archeological evidence that the current Palestinians are decendants of the Canaanites. Third, the Israelites were nomadic. When they arrived, they partially assimilated into the existing Canaanite cities and villages. Some of the Israelites even adopted the polytheistic (highly sexualized) religious practices of the Canaanites. This is when the Israelites began to settle. I am shocked by your ignorance. What do they teach you in Israeli schools? Propaganda?
38 |
JE USA,
Thursday Aug 20, 2009
Avrohom, Despite your obvious hatred towards myself and others, I don't hate you. Despite your inability to actually have an honest discussion, I still try to talk to you. This is how we are different. I hope that, someday, people who think like yourself will stop using fear & hatred as a basis for your arguments. When has anything great ever been achieved by your type of philosophy? Never. Fortunately, there are many people who don't think like you do. Some of them even try to talk to folks like you. They are the ones who will bring stability and peace. You can thank them later.
39 |
Jean - Georgia,
Sunday Aug 23, 2009
Surprise - Don't you bloggers recognize JEN-USA as JE USA now? Even if she used the name "D.A." her distortions of logic and twisted history are very distinctive. Bottom line, she still detests Israel, so there's no point in bothering her with facts. Just wait, she'll soon be throwing around the CastLead murder 'statistics' again, her version, of course..carefully selected from the top google factoid. Or perhaps you'll find her at the local Trader Joe's - slapping anti-Israel labels on the feta cheese containers while humming 'kumbyah'.
40 |
GB USA,
Wednesday Aug 26, 2009
Alain #32 and 33 - you make some very good points. It looks like the Arab or Muslim world wants to have all or most for themselves. Arrogant and selfish. And Jean #39 - I agree with you - facts are twisted or ignored by JE.
41 |
Avrohom - Winer,
Thursday Aug 27, 2009
JE USA, here is a statement from one of your spin doctors. Do you agree with his absolute nonsense? "The Palestinian Authority's chief Islamic judge, Sheikh Tayseer Rajab Tamimi, said on Wednesday that there was no evidence to back up claims that Jews had ever lived in Jerusalem or that the Temple ever existed.? ( [ Link to page ] ) Just wondering, JE. When the leaders of the Arabs here start acknowledging facts about Jews and our land, then there may be hope. We do not need the hatred from these supposed leaders.
42 |
Avrohom - Israel,
Thursday Aug 27, 2009
JE USA #37-38, please, I hope you do not take yourself seriously! DNA to Canaanites? Jews as nomads? Is this the nonsense you learn in your mosques and training camps? Your spin is indoctrination of the masses to believe fiction over fact. The fact is (do you know what a fact is?) the Arabs in our land today cannot trace themselves to Canaanites and those people dissapeared into history. This is Jewish land and no Arab traces back to the time we inherited our land. Arabs here today moved into the vacuum caused by occupation. These are facts.
43 |
JE USA,
Thursday Aug 27, 2009
Avrohom Whiner... If you think that I believe any spin, you obviously can't read. At least you don't read any of my previous posts! My contention has been, is & always will be that Israel belongs to everyone. Yes, everyone. No one religion, culture or any other group can claim it exclusively. If you want to believe that God gave Israel to one group of people over another, your God is a bigot. Mine isn't. You will never live in peace if you cannot find a common ground with your neighbors & learn how to share. My four year old nephew knows how to share. What is wrong with you that you can't?
44 |
JE USA,
Thursday Aug 27, 2009
It seems that these talkbacks always veer off topic, down the same roads. Does anyone want to continue the conversation that was started by Ziad's article?
45 |
alina Italy,
Wednesday Sep 09, 2009
Ziyadd it is your right to speak up your mind as it is every man's right to do, in any democracy. But because you live in Israel your rights are being respected, look at what happened in Iran recently with dissidents.... were they respected? what seems so evident and basic human rights are not in most countries and u can include most latin americans and africans countries. you live in a multicultural democracy where every individual has the right to be and express himself. Don't take it for granted and pls work so that war should never happen again.
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