Back From the Brink - E. J. Dionne Jr.

[Fozzledick]

The question in Israel's war with Hezbollah is not whether the Israeli government had a right to retaliate. It is whether there is a way of avoiding full-scale war in the Middle East.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert responded to Hezbollah's attacks on Israeli soldiers because Israel has been trying to do what the world has told the Jewish state it had to do: live within internationally recognized borders and pull Israeli troops out from lands it came to occupy as a result of past military victories.

Ari Shavit, a columnist for the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, put the matter as well as anyone: "Israel is currently waging the most just war in its history," he wrote Monday. "Not a war of occupation, but rather a war of defense. Not a settlements war, but rather a Green Line war. A war over the validity of an international border that was drawn, defined and recognized by the United Nations."

As it happens, Shavit is also critical of the Israeli government's handling of this war and suggests a unilateral 72-hour cease-fire to give the "international community" a chance to resolve the "problem of the northern border by nonviolent means." In the meantime, Israel could plan "thoroughly and meticulously" to defeat Hezbollah if everyone else's efforts failed.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/17/AR2006071701155.html

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Although to many it may sound satisfying

to "destroy" Hezbullah once and for all, I don't think it can be done militarily. Violence, especially involving people who were not involved in Hezbullah before, only recruits more people who are bent on revenge.

I do think there is a better way-first of all, encourage and pay attention to peace organizations in the region. Rabbi Learner was talking about this on Al Franken today.

[ConservativeDemocrat]

2. What about the kidnapped soldiers?

What are the peace organizations going to do about them?

I'll admit that attacking Christian areas of Lebanon is counterproductive, but let's be realistic about Hezbullah. You can't get an agreement to "end the violence" if they refuse to agree to end the violence. A cease-fire isn't the same thing as a peaceful border.

- C.D. Proud Member of the Reality Based Community

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. What about the innocents who have been killed?

Rabbi Lerner stated on Al Franken today that he felt a more appropriate response from Israel was to negotiate for the release of the soldiers. I agree with him. I don't see how launching attacks are getting them released.