Middle East Resolution
Over the past week, the France and the United States have drafted a UN resolution that would end the hostilities between Israel and Lebanon. Besides the remarkable fact France and the United States rarely agree on issues pertaining to the Middle East, I am generally supportive of the resolution. There are three important components that I support in this deal
1. An end to the violence but allows Israel to defend itself if attacked.
2. A buffer zone in southern Lebanon, patrolled only by the Lebanese army and UN-mandated forces.
3. The unconditional return of two captured Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah.
While by no means perfect, clearly the violence between Israel and Lebanon has escalated to the point that many innocent civilians are needlessly being killed. It is also important to work with Lebanon who is not the problem as opposed to working with Hezbollah whose ultimate goal is the eradication of the state of Israel. Ultimately my hope is that Lebanon will have the ability to eradicate Hezbollah without outside help. I will also say I am disappointed with Harper's lack of explanation of his party's position. While I support Israel taking reasonable action to defend itself, I believe Harper's explanation that it was a measured response was innappropriate. Did he mean the initial attacks to defend itself or was he giving Israel a blank cheque to do whatever it wanted. I expect more from our prime-minister.
1. An end to the violence but allows Israel to defend itself if attacked.
2. A buffer zone in southern Lebanon, patrolled only by the Lebanese army and UN-mandated forces.
3. The unconditional return of two captured Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah.
While by no means perfect, clearly the violence between Israel and Lebanon has escalated to the point that many innocent civilians are needlessly being killed. It is also important to work with Lebanon who is not the problem as opposed to working with Hezbollah whose ultimate goal is the eradication of the state of Israel. Ultimately my hope is that Lebanon will have the ability to eradicate Hezbollah without outside help. I will also say I am disappointed with Harper's lack of explanation of his party's position. While I support Israel taking reasonable action to defend itself, I believe Harper's explanation that it was a measured response was innappropriate. Did he mean the initial attacks to defend itself or was he giving Israel a blank cheque to do whatever it wanted. I expect more from our prime-minister.
posted by Monkey Loves to Fight at 11:02 PM
17 Comments:
Two things:
1) "Did he mean the initial attacks to defend itself or was he giving Israel a blank cheque to n do absolutely nothing right.do whatever it wanted."
If you want a further explanation of his postion on that question, just watch this (click the video link on the right and scroll to 6:00). Hardly unclear.
2) He's said that he supports the resolution in question.
It truly is amazing how you can find a way to attack Harper even when you agree with him.
It's quite obvious at this point that in your eyes, the man can do nothing right.
The one fatal flaw in the resolution is Israel is allowed to stay in Lebanon until the multi-national force is in place.
I have serious doubts that a multi-national force capable of disarming Hezbollah will ever be deployed. However, assuming the best it will takes weeks if not months to deploy such a force.
During that time Israel will be in Southern Lebanon and it will be resisted by Hezbollah, so the violence will go on, which will further delay the deployment of the international force, leading to more violence, etc, etc. A nasty vicious circle to say the least.
The resolution as it is written will not stop the violence but it is something Israel can live with so they can accept it thus putting pressure on Lebanon to accept yet another foreign occupation and setting them up for the fall guy when the "ceasefire" inevitably fails.
If I were of the conspriatorial bent I would even say that is the goal of the US UN Ambassador. Israel has taken alot of heat in recent weeks and the failure of this resolution would shift that heat off of them onto Lebanon very nicely.
Brandon - My problem with Harper is he has failed to articulate his position.
Ottlib - You have some good points here. Certainly I only think the Israeli army should be in Lebanon in legitimate self-defence. But lets remember this is not just as US resolution, but is jointly supported by France who tends to be quite pro-Arab in their Middle East policy.
I agree Miles but the wording of the resolution is very problematic.
Of course it is just a draft and these things never pass in their original form.
My concern is Israel has handed Hezbollah a handsome victory in this crisis. They are now supported by a large majority of the Lebanese population and I believe they will be trying hard to consolidate that support into political power in the Lebanese government.
If the ceasefire resolution favours Israel too much the international community will be creating the conditions that will make it much easier for Hezbollah to succeed in that goal.
Hezbollah has shown itself to be able to take on the Israelis and win while the Lebanese government, which is still dominated by moderate, somewhat pro-western factions, has been shown to be completely helpless in defending Lebanon and its people from the Israeli onslaught.
If this Lebanese government is not given some kind of diplomatic victory Hezbollah will be able to use that to attempt to push the moderates out of government and take over themselves. And they might just succeed considering the current political climate in Lebanon.
I believe that such an outcome is not in the interests of any of the civilized world.
Ottlib - I certainly agree that United States and France should try to find a resolution acceptable to both Lebanon and Qatar who are moderate Arab governments. I do think Israel should pull out of Lebanon, but at the same time be allowed to take action against Lebanon if Hezbollah launches attacks. Lets remember while the Lebanese government is not the problem, Hezbollah wants nothing more than to see Israel wiped off the map.
Hezbollah is a problem but they have achieved their short-term goals in this conflict. After a ceasefire is declared they will have no incentive to renew hostilities, unless of course Israeli forces are still in Lebanon.
They will probably focus their efforts on converting their new found popularity into political power in Lebanon.
Hezbollah does want to destroy Israel but give them some credit and realize that they know they will not be able to do that as a terrorist group of about 5000 men armed with small arms and some 10,000 Katusha rockets.
Taking control of a sovereign country, however, is gold. Throw in the continued support of Iran and the growing support of an energized Shia movement in both Iraq and Syria and they become a real threat to Israel.
Of course there is no guarantee that they will be able to achieve government in Lebanon but there is no denying that Israel has not done itself any favours in the last month.
I think Hezbollah will continue to attack Israel no matter what. Certainly Israel bombing Lebanon doesn't help matters in terms of Hezbollah rallying more support, but the solution here is to work with the Lebanese government to help eradicate them. Hezbollah is a group you cannot negotiate with. The fundamentalists on both sides need to be stopped while moderates on both sides must work together if peace in the Middle East is to be achieved.
Hezbollah is a political force in Lebanon. Lebanon is a democracy, the only one besides Israel. So Hezbollah will not be eradicated.
They are gaining political strength and it is being solidified with every bomb Israel drops and every Lebanese civilian it kills.
Unfortunately Hezbollah is not going away and Israel and the rest of the world better get use to it.
Hezbollah is a political force in Lebanon. Lebanon is a democracy, the only one besides Israel. So Hezbollah will not be eradicated.
Actually they only have a few seats in the legislature at the moment, so they are more of a military force than political force.
They are gaining political strength and it is being solidified with every bomb Israel drops and every Lebanese civilian it kills.
Certainly Israel should show more restraint and not escalate things more perfectly, but I don't believe they should stand aside and let Hezbollah fire rockets at civilian population daily. If another country was doing this to Canada, I don't think Canadians would advocate Canada doing nothing, so why should Israel be any different. Unlike the Iraq war, which was unprovoked, this was in response to an attack. Now sure it was an overreaction, but a response was still justified.
Unfortunately Hezbollah is not going away and Israel and the rest of the world better get use to it.
I am not suggesting they will go away, but if we work with moderate Arabs as opposed to Hezbollah, we can weaken their influence. Hezbollah is a terrorist organization and we should not negotiate with them. Lets negotiate with the Lebanese government who BTW doesn't support Hezbollah (their support primarily comes from Syria and Iran).
Certainly Israel should show more restraint and not escalate things more perfectly, but I don't believe they should stand aside and let Hezbollah fire rockets at civilian population daily. If another country was doing this to Canada, I don't think Canadians would advocate Canada doing nothing, so why should Israel be any different. Unlike the Iraq war, which was unprovoked, this was in response to an attack. Now sure it was an overreaction, but a response was still justified.
Didn't Israel fire first, in response to its soldiers?
Actually no Hezbollah started this by constantly firing missiles at civilian areas across the border. The kidnapping of the soldiers was simply the tipping point. Israel had to eventually say enough to Hezbollah. My preference would be the Lebanese government take them out, but if they cannot, then Israel should not have to stand aside and do nothing. Lets remember Hezbollah wants to see Israel wiped off the map and they will not negotiate for anything less.
From my perspective I believe the resolution drafted by the U.S and France do not solve any conflict at all. Isreal is a state forged out from the Middle East and this country has been attacking every single country around its border along with supporting every U.S initiative.
By allowing Isreal to not take responsiblity for its destruction of Lebanon's people and economy is not acceptable. Again this is from how I add the facts together. By deploying multinational forces in this area is another way for the western world to infiltrate the heart of the Middle East.
The current crisis was started by the kidnapping of the Israeli soldiers and Israel's over reaction to it. However Israel and Hezbollah have been going at each other for over 2 decades
Hezbollah has 14 seats and 2 cabinet positions in the Lebanese Parliament and its battles against Israel and Israel's actions have caused it be become more popular in the country. Indeed, for the first time in Lebanon's recent history one political movement has found support in all of the factions that caused Lebanon to suffer 25 years of civil war.
Hezbollah is not going away. If anything they are much stronger. If Israel's intent was to destroy Hezbollah they failed. Instead they have handed Hezbollah a major victory by unifying the 2 dozen or so different factions behind Hezbollah.
When a ceasefire is finally declared Hezbollah will have survived and it will probably switch gears and attempt to leverage its new found, broad support into real political power in Lebanon. If it succeeds then its victory in this crisis will be complete.
Hezbollah realizes that its ultimate goal will not be realized overnight. It is going to take years and involve a whole bunch of different steps. Taking over the government of a country that borders on Israel would be a very important stepping stone.
From my perspective I believe the resolution drafted by the U.S and France do not solve any conflict at all. Isreal is a state forged out from the Middle East and this country has been attacking every single country around its border along with supporting every U.S initiative.
By allowing Isreal to not take responsiblity for its destruction of Lebanon's people and economy is not acceptable. Again this is from how I add the facts together. By deploying multinational forces in this area is another way for the western world to infiltrate the heart of the Middle East.
I should note Lebanon has now come out in favour of the resolution. You also seem to suggest that Israel shouldn't have the right to exist. I strongly believe in the right of Israel to exist. The reality is most Israelis were born since 1948 so you cannot kick them out. In addition Israel usually only attacks others in legitimate self-defence, although often overreacts. In reality much of Arab world wants to see Israel wiped off the map, so they do have to defend themselves. I for one don't want to see Israel wiped off the map.
Ottlib - You have some interesting points. My problem here is if Israel does nothing Hezbollah will continue its attacks. Certainly the level of the attacks didn't help. My hope is they can work with the current Lebanese government to try to eradicate them. Hezbollah has one goal, which is the destruction of the state of Israel and they have made clear they will never compromise. I for one will not accept the idea Israel should be wiped off the map. I should note the Liberal party has always supported the right of Israel to exist. In addition Canada was already moving too a more pro-Israeli position under Paul Martin although Stephen Harper took it a step further. Some Liberals like Warren Kinsella have been totally supportive of Israel.
Perry604 - I noticed you go to SFU. I was there until last spring when I graduated and I now work in the financial sector. I am also a member of the BCYL and still come out to most events
Miles:
I also strongly support Israel's right to exist and Hezbollah's ultimate goals are diametrically opposed to that so eradicating Hezbollah would be ideal.
However, they are a political force in Lebanon and they are only going to get stronger as a result of the latest conflict. So Hezbollah will not be eradicated any time soon.
So the world is going to have to accept the fact that they will have to deal with it.
Ottlib - I never doubted you supported Israel's right to exist, I was directing my comments to perry604. Also I should note that both Israel and Lebanon have accepted the current ceasefire so hopefully this can work, although it is tough to say. I agree getting rid of Hezbollah won't be easy, but I don't think one can say Israel doesn't have the right to defend itself. If we could join the United States in attacking Afghanistan in response to 9/11 I think the case for Israel going after Hezbollah is a lot stronger. Warren Kinsella recently in the National Post wrote a very good article on this. Like me he is no fan of US foreign policy, but is a strong backer of Israel. I also think Joe Volpe (who I still think is a slimeball on the whole) and Scott Brison provided the best positions of the Liberal leadership candidates.
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