Saturday, July 22, 2006

Iraqizing Lebanon

As more Lebanese leave the country after the Israeli aggression on Lebanon intensified, we're starting to hear more and more stories from the "inside".

One person who is out of the country now told me that following the shelling that northern Lebanon (mainly Akkar and Tripoli) sustained, groups of religious Sunnis got out their guns from their basements and were getting ready to head south to fight the Israeli Army. The Lebanese Army's Intelligence Force stopped these groups at the last minute.

I did warn in one of my previous posts that "Israel has opened a can of worms (when it bombed the north and killed some 9 soldiers); many parts of Akkar are very conservative Sunni. Why is the IDF messing with a sleeping beast????!!!! Why?"

Moreover, a number of trucks filled with ammunition was sent from Syria by Rafaat Assad's son (President Assad's first cousin) to Jabal Mihsin, a dominantly Alawite area in Tripoli. Again, the Military Intelligence managed to intercept the shipment.

Unfortunately, the Lebanese Army is being targeted by the Israeli Forces, further weakening a Lebanese state institution that is tirelessly trying to put a cap on a boiling pot, which is ready to explode at any minute.

Abu Kais from Beirut to the Beltway wrote that an advisor to the Israeli Defense Minister said that the Sunni Muslim world expects the Israeli Army to fight Shiite fundamentalism and "we are going to deliver." Little does he know that the Israeli offensive on Lebanon might just make of Lebanon another Iraq.

Addendum: Read what Chercheuse D'Or has to say to Israel.

"Nobody knows how many rebellions, besides political rebellions, ferment in the masses of life which people earth."

33 comments:

Amon Ra said...

Action provokes reaction in world history and that will be the result of the prolonged and indiscriminate attacks of the last days.

But for some reason, after reading this blog for over one week, i realize why some things will never change... And how could they when human mentality remains always the same.

I dont have anything else to add

Good luck to Lebanese regardles of religious of political position. Two friends have visited Beirut in the past and they had given me the best references. I wish it will be again the same sometime in the future....

Amon Ra said...

doha,

Peace be with you and your fellow Lebanese.

The fact that many not directly- interested people participate in this blog is the proof you have done a great job and the discussion enabled many issues to be clarified.

Of course i understand your anger and i do not suggest (like anybody else) that i help by expressing my thoughts... We are strangers but some of us are quite scared.

Unknown said...

As an American, I am greatly saddened by the destruction suffered by the Lebanese civilian population. Like civilians all over the world, all these people want is to feed and educate their children, be gainfully employed, and live happy lives. But as is often the case when such violence erupts, the needs of the people have been hijacked by fanatical zealots, and it is the people--not the zealots--who suffer.

Even though the Lebanese people are suffering, the Arab world must accept that this suffering is caused by the continued tolerance by Muslims of the radicals amongst them. To blame Israelis for this pain is to attack the symptom, not the cause, of the destruction. Israel has attacked Lebanon because of the presence of Hezbollah. I accept the argument that Lebanon has its hands tied when it comes to eliminating Hezbollah because of Syria. But this merely shifts the source of blame from Lebanon to Syria. Does Syria not care about the consequences Lebanon suffers because of its support of Hezbollah? It obviously does not. But it must. What will force Syria to change its mind? Perhaps this destruction and devastation will. And that is exactly what Israel is attempting to do. When thought of in these terms, Israel's offensive does not seem so senseless after all.

fern said...

I just found this blog thanks to a post on The Well.

I'm an American of Jewish descent and I can't believe the stupidity of the Israeli government and army. What you wrote is how I've been feeling. Israel says they want the Lebanese army to occupy the border area as they bomb the army, destroy the infrastructure that would be needed to make that possible and, above all, make all Lebanese their enemy.

My God grant that some sanity returns to the region before we see even more horrible things happen.

May God grant that all of you in the middle stay safe.

blogagog said...

I'm an American not of jewish descent and I can't believe the brilliance of the Israeli government and army. What you wrote is not how I've been feeling. Israel says they want the Lebanese army to occupy the border area and take back their country from the Hezbollah terrorists, and some people think that this is a bad thing.

My God grant that some sanity returns to the region and Hezbollah is utterly destroyed before we see even more horrible things happen.

May God grant that all of you in the middle stay safe.

blogagog said...

Let's be honest here. All of the hellish problems that are currently falling on Lebanon's head are the responsibility of Hezbollah. Lebanese people have done nothing but suffer for 31 years or so, and it's time to let them live in peace and find prosperity!

The only way to do that is to remove Iran's Hezbollah. Otherwise you will always have an aggressive problem with Israel, and even more people will die than are dying now. Israel wants to be left alone. Lebanon wants to be left alone. Iran wants a war, and pays Hezbollah to make one. End Hezbollah, and peace ensues. Allow it to continue to exist politically or militarily, and both sides will get more of the same (ie lot's of dead people).

Hezbollah. Gone. The only solution.

Lirun said...

WOOOOOHOOO a peace rally in israel already waiving cedar flags.. i had no idea.. or else i would have been there.. god bless my countrymen with a conscience..

must stop reffering this as a war.. its giving everyone an excuse to draw it out..

come on peace - come through baby.. waiting for you

lirun
tel-aviv

blogagog said...

But lirun, your countrymen with an actual conscience are working very hard to make sure there is peace on the Israel/Lebanon border forever!

Is your 'peace now' goal just to have peace for a couple of years? That is not enough. Peace forever! A quick end to Hezbollah (which requires all nations to denounce them) is the only answer. So go to your peace rally, but remember to chant "The End of Hezbollah!"

Lirun said...

blogagog.. i think you're confusing me for someone you know/own/manage.. i'm quite certain you dont have any authority over me.. and ill chant what i like and attend what i like.. you can save your approvals for those who know you and are subject to your authority.. i for one am not.. you can decide for yourself and ill decide for me.. i am very envious that you have possession of a chrystal ball and can tell how the future will be and what the chain of causation is to achieve peace.. thats great.. almost as great as your arrogance..

my posted comments are varied.. in some i explain the sources of complexity of our situations.. in some i justify our actions and in others i express my sadness.. in none of them do i ask for your consent..

take care and good luck

wishing peace to our region as a matter of urgency

lirun
tel-aviv

Lirun said...

voices of reason finally..

peace is the only way forward..

lirun
telaviv
www.emspeace.blogspot.com

Lirun said...

Has anyone seen this?

http://switch3.castup.net/cunet/gm.asp?ai=214&ar=1050wmv&ak=null

funded by my taxes or brave woman?

;)

you decide for yourself..

i just want peace..

lirun
telaviv

sara said...

MAY ALLAH ASSIST Y'ALL... AMEN.
I'M GONNA PRAY FOR ALL BEINGS AS SOON AS I REACH THE KA'BA...
INSHA' ALLAH!

Lirun said...

I am not seeking to make peace with the HA.. i am seeking to make it in spite of the HA and inspite of the bad people on either side of the border who are fearful (yes they are afraid) of the uncertainty involved in peace.. this is such a crazy paradox that some people are more afraid of peace than they are of war.. surely anyone who is in control of their intellectual faculties can accept the unequivocal anomaly inherent in such a sentiment.. hehe (sorry i actually find this insanity amusing - people on both sides are actually afraid of peace)

i know very well the values of which i speak.. my good friends who include many jews.. arabs.. muslims.. christians.. hindus.. buddhists.. atheists of all races etc all know and live by these values and i am blessed by peace with them too.. i refuse to subscribe to the hatred you taunt..

i wasnt at the demonstration last night because i didnt know it was on.. but i am proud of the people in my midst how have the courage to not hide behind a website and against a lot of public opinion state their minds in the streets for everyone to criticise.. these are not people of fear.. these are heros.. just as the people behind the cedar revolution were heros and champions of peace.. i salute all of you..

dunes.. your discussion of left and right is irrelevant.. israeli left and right has nothing to do with international left and right.. if your broaden your horizons slightly you might find this out.. our left is riddled with intellectual snobbery while our right includes a lot of people who would hate a traditional right wing economic policy to take effect..

furthermore.. my nickname is my name - and you can learn all about me in my profile.. i am not a coward hiding behind some cryptic nickname that describes only a non-commital lump of sand and dust.. on the contrary.. i am brave enough to speak my own mind even though i know i wont win popularity.. and i have set up my own blog to do so..

there are many ways to promote peace.. not all of them will always coincide with putting down your weapons immediately.. but it sure is easy to spot those who have no interest in it whatsoever.. because they seek to create conflict where it may well not exist..

i exercise my right as member of this region and as citizen of the state of israel to express my desire for peace.. whether you like it or not..

and i repeat..

i wish the region a comprehensive peaceful arrangement that allows all to live together as peaceful neighbours..

lirun
tel-aviv

Lirun said...

miki/dune

a. you dont make the rules

b. you dont control other people's opinions

c. do you come here to listen or only to speak

i wont be responding to anymore of your posts - waste of time

Baroon said...

To yuri

I read THAT perspective in " lisa"`s blog 3 days ago. if putting in perspective will make wrong doings Just therfore hundreds of perspective is out there to make suacide bombers right !

Uri Kalish said...

Hizballah takes orders from Nasrallah and Iran.

Nasrallah lost a son in the previous war with Israel. All he wants is revenge and he has nothing to lose. Do you really think he cares if a few Lebanese will be killed in the process?

Do you think Iran will allow Hizballah to end this conflict so the UN will be able to continue its investigation of its nuclear plans?

Uri Kalish said...

I don’t think making a few people hate us a little bit more than they already do should guide Israel policy in Lebanon. I don’t expect any Arab to like Israel, and I don’t expect this to change in the next decades (e.g. Israelis and Germans) no matter what we do.

Uri Kalish said...

Maybe the solution is to make Nasrallah PM of Lebanon.
Maybe the responsibility will calm him down…

Voyager said...

hn Smith said...

Maybe the solution is to make Nasrallah PM of Lebanon.
Maybe the responsibility will calm him down…


That tactic has worked throughout history - Hitler was much more moderate after 1933, and Iran has been quite settled since Khomeini; and I suppose if Al-Sadr gets to run Iraq and Nasrullah runs Lebanon they'll be as quiescent as Cuba is under Castro.............

Some people let us pay a high price for their quiet life

Uri Kalish said...

Yes I know.

Lirun said...

80 rockets land in israel today.. 2 people killed and 22 injured.. almost sounds like a miracle..

one guy whose house was smashed went back to play his piano in the rubble..

one of the murdered people was driving his car and was hit while in motion..

this needs to stop.. this is madness..

WE NEED PEACE.. ENOUGH!!

i happen tobe listening to "peace on earth" by U2 while i type..

hope you're all safe

lirun
telaviv
www.emspeace.blogspot.com

blogagog said...

Lirun said: "my posted comments are varied.. in some i justify our actions and in others i express my sadness.. in none of them do i ask for your consent.."

And yet you still received it. It's like icing on the cake! Just a fyi, an ellipsis requires three dots.

Free Lebanon now! End Hezbollah's rule forever. Death to Syria and Iran if they won't leave Lebanon alone. Lebanon must be free. The Lebanese must be free! Destroy the buckets of scum that are Hezbollah. Never let them enter Lebanon again. Ever. Let the Lebanese people have generations of peace. Israel would benefit from that as well.

Lirun said...

haaretz reported one hour ago that Peretz (minister of defence) said that under certain conditions israel would agree to a nato force in south lebanon - providing it effectively maintained peace and was able to quash arms accumulation

hope this is sign that we are phasing in diplomatic efforts

constantly wishing for peace
lirun
tel-aviv
www.emspeace.blogspot.com

blogagog said...

"israel might benefit when HZA will be gone, unfortunately it will only lose by bombing lebanon like there's no tomorrow, it is just gaining more enemies by the moment.
war is SO old-fashion!"

The key is to continue the destruction until Hezbollah is despised as much as Israel is. To stop bombing before this happens would cause exactly the outcome you describe. It is heartless and horrible to do this, but there is no other option. All other options have been tried in the past 50 years, and they've all lead to death and strife in the region.

The attacks on Lebanon may be making some Lebanese people even more angry at Israel, but deep down every person in Lebanon knows the truth. This is all the fault of Hezbollah. End support for Hezbollah, and the war stops. Kick them back to Syria, and the war stops, never to resume.

Once Israel has Hezbollah beaten down, it will be up to all of Lebanon to insure peace in the region by evicting Hezbollah, both the political and the military arms, from their country. Only then can they have the same type of peace with Israel that Egypt enjoys. Sure, they don't like each other, but no one is dying over that fact.

Death and destruction to Hezbollah! Peace and prosperity to Lebanon and Israel!

Uri Kalish said...

Haustat1,

This may come as a shock to you so get ready…
Although war is always ugly and bombs can never be 100% precise, the Israel army in Lebanon, as always, is doing its best to avoid innocent civilian casualties, maybe more than any other army in the world.
I didn’t hear it on Al-Jazeera, CNN, Israeli TV or any other kind of a second hand medium. I’ve been a combat soldier in the Israeli army for 3 years. I’ve served in Lebanon, the Gaza strip, the west bank, the Golan height and almost every Palestinian city in Israel. I always encountered army orders to avoid innocent Arab civilian casualties at any cost, often putting my own life under extra risk in order to follow these orders . Every combat Israeli soldier can verify this if you care to listen.

blogagog said...

Anti-Syrian thugs!?!? The whole world is anti-syrian except for Iran (who is using you as a pawn with devastating effect). It would serve Assad right to relocate all of Hezbollah into his backyard and allow Lebanon to be a free democracy at peace with the world. Syria, maybe you want to oppress and murder your people. That's fine (for a while), but don't spread your hatred to Lebanon. It's about to cost you dearly.

Free Lebanon from the yoke of Hezbollah, Syria, and Syria's owner, Iran! The Lebanese deserve freedom and peace. Hezbollah out, now!

Uri Kalish said...

Haustat1,
You obviously don't know the first thing about moral dilemmas while risking your life defending your country against terrorists hiding in houses of innocent civilians. I do. I’m proud being a combat Israeli soldier.

blogagog said...

Haustat said...

"Itai said, I hope you'll get to live in a free country one day.

I agree with you on that point and hope so also. Unfortunately, that'll be virtually impossible as long as countries like today's America and Israel remain."

You COMPLETELY mispelled Syria and Iran. Other than that, I share your sentiments. Israel won't attack unless it is attacked. America might, but only with the goal of saving more lives than it costs and spreading freedom (this strategy hasn't worked very well in Iraq so far though!). I say don't even give America a chance to attack you.

It's easy to explain how, but difficult to accomplish. The secret? Don't allow terrorists or fomentors of hate to exist in your country. Hezbollah is an excellent example. Once Israel has blasted Hezbollah to smithereens, rise up Lebanon! Kick what's left of Hezbollah to the curb. You can have a peaceful country forever after as long as you don't allow groups that hate and kill to exist. Israel is not so lucky and will not get peace by the same methods, since too many people hate them. But Lebanon can have peace! Forever. Kick militant Hezbollah out. Kick polititians who support Hezbollah out.

It's for the good of all Lebanese. Hezbollah has to go. It's almost time to rise against them Lebanon. Get ready, and stay safe! God bless Lebanon.

blogagog said...

Chen, remember that only Hezbollah is complaining about the terrorist prisoners. Not Lebanon. Lebanon is full of good peace-loving people. Once the Hezbollah scourge is eradicated it will contain ONLY good peace-loving people. Direct your ire at Hezbollah, not Lebanon.

Hezbollah, get out of Lebanon. You buckets of scum are destroying my people! Lebanon does not want your kind anymore. Go. Now. There is no option for negotiation. You must leave or die.

blogagog said...

Iraq is certainly a serious issue, but Hezbollah is more pressing at the moment. Lebanon, are we ready to rise up against them in a fashion similar to the Cedar Revolution? I'm expatriated, but I will not stand for any oppression of my people. I'm fully willing to go back to Lebanon for 3 weeks and help out (I will lose my job if it's longer than that). I want Hezbollah out of Lebanon. Now! Someone drop me an email if I can be of use in accomplishing this goal. Hezbollah must go, and they must go immediately. Iran blows, and we want no part of you.

blogagog said...

Let's all agree that Hezbollah must convert or die. Is that fair? By 'convert', I mean 'move to Syria'. Get the f out of Lebanon you scuzzbuckets! Beautiful Lebanon, the jewel of the Mediterranean, totally destroyed by you scumbags. I HATE HEZBOLLAH, and everything you stand for. I hope Israel blows you into dust. You've destroyed my nation, and now it's your turn. You will face an eternity in hell for what you've done, and it will not be enough. Die soon Hezbollah, and despair as your creator kicks you downstairs for your atrocities.

Did I mention I'm not a fan of Hezbollah?

blogagog said...

Bah ihabnz. If you want to claim that Israel came to 'your' land, then you have to admit that you kicked them out of 'their' land a thousand years ago. That's hogwash, and believing it to be truth will only result in more death. The land belongs to Israel whether you like it or not, for the sole reason that they beat the crap out of whoever was their previously. Attacking them will only result in Israel beating the crap out of more people and taking their land as well. Quit whining about it and accept it. Don't give Israel more land. Fighting Israel will only give them more land and a justifiable reason for claiming it.

Think for a moment about the 20% of Israel that is arab. Why are they living so well, while the people in the West Bank and Gaza suffer so? You know the answer. They spend all of their available resources on attacking Israel. If they would stop, they'd learn there is more to life than hate. The arabs in Israel certainly know this.

Hezbollah, stop destroying Lebanon! Go back to Syria you sons of pigs! Leave Lebanon to enjoy peace and freedom, and take your hate to Syria. If I had any pig's blood, I'd pour it down the throats of every supporter of Hezbollah. Hezbollah is the suxx0r. I'm happy to see Hezbollah getting pwned by the IDF. Go back to Syria whimpering with your tails between your legs, Hezbollah! Lebanon deserves peace, so get out, and do it now. Scumbags.

blogagog said...

Yes Albert, only in Europe could the people believe that the victim of an attack and kidnapping is the aggressor.