I have a simple challenge for those who think that Israel is overreacting in Lebanon. If you are not an anti-semitic Jew-hater, then none of you should have any problem agreeing that the following things must be done regarding the stability of the region immediately surrounding Israel and Lebanon.
- Israel is not obligated to cease operations in and around Lebanon until Hezbollah agrees to an immediate and permanent cease-fire.
- The identification, disarmament and barring from all public service of all members of Hezbollah. No other militia, including Muslim, would suffer this fate. Only Hezbollah due to their hostile connections and loyalty to Syria and Iran that have caused them to undermine the sovereignty of Lebanon and to provoke the current war with Israel.
- The unconditional withdrawl of all Syrian and Iranian weapons and personnel from Lebanon.
- Permission for the Israelis to periodically conduct surveillance, coordinated with Lebanese intelligence, along Lebanon's borders for foreign agents and weapons entering Lebanon from Syria or Iran.
- Obligation of Israel to assume partial responsibility for the defense of Lebanon until the Lebanese government and military are strong enough to repel foreign intrusion from hostile Islamic and secular states. This should last up to three years after the first three criteria have been met by Lebanon. During this time, Israel would also be partially responsible for rebuilding damaged infrastructure and training the Lebanese Army to act as a self-defense force modeled on Japan's Army.
How could anyone have fundamental objections to a plan that would disarm a dangerous militia/terrorist group with foreign loyalties and the construction of a modern self-defense force to keep Lebanon safe from foreign influence while keeping Israel's northern towns safe?
good stuff, Mike, but of course we know that these conditions would never be agreed to by barbarians whose sole purpose is to destroy Israel...also, Hezbollah, not caring about world opinion like Israel's liberal elite, know that they just have to wait for the liberal morons to force more "peace talks"
I know that Hezbollah wouldn't agree to any of this. It was just a little suggestion, put on the table, for anyone who might claim to be not anti-semitic, but who doesn't support Israel at all here.
Good ideas, Mike. I certainly support this course of action.
I was never trying to imply that one has to be a True Believer(tm) of Israel in order to pass the "not anti-semitic test." There is plenty of room for criticism of Israel. What I was getting at is that if you are firmly against Israel in this case, then chances are you are an anti-semite because of all of the factors involved.
Hmm, I don't think failing to harbor unconditional positive regard for the state of Israel isn't synonymous with Jew-hating (which isn't the same as being anti-semetic). I'm never going to approve of any state spying on the United States. But that doesn't mean I froth at the mouth about it or wish ill on anyone. In the grand scheme of things, it doesn't have much to do with me.
I think the state of Israel, a sovereign player on the world stage, has the right to do anyting it concieves itself getting away with. And it has the responsibilities and/or spoils of the consequences reaped. I would just prefer private charities to bankroll foreign aid instead of my tax dollars and uninflated value of my savings, is all.
Well stated, Mike.
Sometimes it helps to remember that the government of the State of Israel is distinct from the nation of Israel referenced in the Bible.
It's a bit like recognizing that the Constitutional Republic once known as the united States of America bears little resemblance to the current government here, in the People's Democracy of Amerika.
I for one am not very fond of the argument that says that we must support Israel or God will get particularly pissy with us. The modern state of Israel is a pluralistic society that is not, to my knowledge, more than marginally based on Jewish traditions. The fact that 1/6 of its population is Arab puts a dampener on that. I'm not saying that they should be expelled, just that one would think that if it were a bonafide recreation of the ancient Jewish state, it would be a mostly purely Jewish state.