Lebanese Prime Minister presumably wants Hezbollah disarmed. He would presumably prefer that it not happen through IAF bombing raids on Beirut neighborhoods.
But he has chosen to at least de facto rally behind Hezbollah.
- Has he offered to arrest those involved in ordering the kidnappings and rocket attacks?
- Has he offered to share intelligence with Israel, allowing them to pinpoint attacks against Hezbollah positions, and concentrate on those outside urban areas?
- Has he offered to disrupt Hezbolla’s cash flow?
- Has he offered to shore up the Syrian border to prevent further rockets from coming in?
- Has he offered to arrest Nasrallah and turn him over to an international war-crimes tribunal?
- Has he offered to use Lebanese police and army units to seize the buildings in Beirut that Israel is bombing?
- Has he used the slightest bit of political capital within his own parliament to restrain, even if not evict Hezbollah?
You may say “An Arab government can’t work with Israel while their territory is under attack.” I say it’s a new freakin’ day and the rules have changed. We all know Israel will do anything to protect her people. Clearly Lebanon cannot say the same. They’ll do anything except put their troops at risk or cooperate with Israel.
The Lebanese government is like a ‘hood rat complaining about crack dealers and gang violence while wearing a “No Snitches” t-shirt.
The Lebanese people deserve better.
Its about priorities. Israel’s priorities are its citizens. Lebanon’s priorities are about maintaining control of their country. And Lebanon fears that if they side with Israel against Hezbollah thata Syria would come storming back into their country.
Israel will have temporary compromises with Arab countries, but it will never ally with one of them; at least not up to now. Israel will do anything to defend her people, because she has military superiority, and a guarantee of impunity given by the big sister an ocean over to the West. The Lebanese government (like the Palestinians) has no support because the US has already co-opted their Arab dictator neighbours with oil-dollars, and US-military bases. They may even have to ignore their pride, and call Syria back to defend them, which would just be a tragedy, and an undeserved vindication Assad’s government.
Don’t get me wrong, Hezbollah goofed, and acted very irresponsibly (not that it surprises me). But the response by Israel is so disproportionae, that even if I can understand their primary motivations (the kidnapped soldiers), it was equally irresponsible. No responsible government starts an offensive that may result in the arrival of WWIII.
Nice post Eric. Just a couple of points. Hezbollah representatives make up about 15% of the Lebanese government and about 10% of Sinioara’s cabinet. Also, I’ve read that about 50% of the Lebanese army is sympathetic to Hezbollah. So, even if the PM personally wants to dispose of, or at least neuter, Hezbollah he may have no choice but to quietly be satisfied that Israel is doing it for him.
Israel certainly could not be hitting so many critical targets so accurately without some help from the “inside”. Maybe it’s coming from him. (shhh don’t tell anyone.)
AfroVoltaire, you are assuming incorrectly that the only reason Israel attacked Hezbullah was to get back her soldiers.
She went after Hezbullah to put an end to the six years of border attacks and destroy the 13,000 rockets lining her northern border.
If it starts WWIII, it isn’t Israel that is to blame. Who bought and paid for those rockets? Who built them?
Iran and Syria.
You got everything right except the Lebanese people deserve better.
They are getting exactly what they deserve.
They made a bargain with the devil at Israels expence.
The bill has come in marked over due. Late fees apply.