So, Israel DID NOT withdraw entirely from Lebanon in 2000.

[cantstandbush]

They still occupy a portion according to the Lebanese PM and Lebanon wants it back as part of any negotiation as well as three Lebanese being held by Israel. Dang! You learn something new everyday you don't have to listen to a neocon. (Larry King now)

[rockymountaindem]

1. Are they talking about the Sheba Farms?

Because the UN says those belong to Israel.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheba_Farms

"On May 22, 2000, Israel completed its withdrawal from the south of Lebanon in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 425 <1>. The UN certified Israel's pullout <2>. The January 20, 2005 UN Secretary-General's report on Lebanon explicitly stated: "The continually asserted position of the Government of Lebanon that the Blue Line is not valid in the Shab'a farms area is not compatible with Security Council resolutions. The Council has recognized the Blue Line as valid for purposes of confirming Israel’s withdrawal pursuant to resolution 425 (1978). The Government of Lebanon should heed the Council’s repeated calls for the parties to respect the Blue Line in its entirety." <3>

[areo64]

2. It also holds many Lebanese prisoners illegally

I don't agree that Hezbollah should attack Israel for its crimes against Lebanese (although by Bush-Olmert standards it should bomb away because of "self defense"), but it's foolish to be claiming that Israel can committ aggressions and illegalities against Arabs and only when the Arabs do it is it wrong.

[cali]

5. Provide

some information please, from a reputable, non-partisan source, that backs up your claim that Israel holds many Lebanese. I know they hold many Palestinians, but it's my understanding that they hold very few Lebanese.

[DoYouEverWonder]

11. This is just data on prisoner exchanges

It seems the Israelis have held a fair number of Lebanese people over the years.


Previous Israeli Prisoner Exchanges


March 15, 1979 - Israel exchanges 66 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for an Israeli soldier captured in Lebanon.

Nov. 24, 1983 - Six Israeli soldiers captured in Lebanon are released by the Palestine Liberation Organization in exchange for 4,700 Palestinian and Lebanese prisoners held by Israel.

June 28, 1984 - 291 Syrian soldiers and 20 security prisoners were exchanged for three Israeli soldiers and three Israeli civilians as well as the remains of two Israeli soldiers.

May 21, 1985 - Three Israeli soldiers captured in Lebanon are released by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command in exchange for 1,150 prisoners held by Israel.

July 21, 1996 - Israel frees 45 Shiite Muslims and returns the bodies of 100 Hezbollah fighters to Hezbollah in exchange for the bodies of two Israeli soldiers killed in Lebanon.

June 25, 1998 - Israel frees 60 prisoners and transfers the bodies of 40 Hezbollah fighters to Hezbollah in exchange for the body of an Israeli soldier killed in Lebanon.

More at link:

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/world/15015099.htm
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EDIT: COPYRIGHT. PLEASE POST ONLY 4 OR 5
PARAGRAPHS FROM THE COPYRIGHTED NEW SOURCE
PER DU RULES.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

13. Are the identities of the prisoners made public by Israel?

I don't know one way or the other and I'm just asking. What I've been hearing in the media is that the prisoners are not being afforded counsel nor are charges being brought against them. Is Israel even giving lists of names and nationalities to know exactly who they are holding?

[INDIA]

6. Do you have that link or are you going to disappear?

Oops...I mean, welcome to DU!

[Scurrilous]

3. Shebaa Farms :

http://www.answers.com/topic/shebaa-farms

[Hardrada]

4. All black sheep!

[BayCityProgressive]

7. wow

even when the UN backs it as Israeli territory, peole here will screech falsehoods to support radical Islams causes.

[Igel]

9. Well, as Syrian territory.

Since it's occupied Syrian territory, there's not a great deal of difference in practice. But it does make having the land belong to Lebanon, not Syria, more of an abstract point--apart from justification for a large, Islamist, hate-spewing supremacist militia. Speaking abstractly.

[Igel]

8. It wasn't Lebanese until

Hezbollah needed a justification for not getting rid of its arms. Then a land claim that wasn't a problem in the '50s and '60s and '70s suddenly was activated by Hezbollah and Syria. Even in the '70s Syria said it was Syrian, and Lebanon shrugged.

The Lebanese government under Syria had to claim it when Syria said it had always been Lebanese, and the current one has little choice. However, Syria also refuses to register the transfer with any international body, and has ignored Lebanon's requests for making the land officially Lebanese. Let Syria and Lebanon settle their land differences--or Syria make a gift of some land--when Syria has the land.

To repeat: During the pullout by Israel, the Shebaa Farms area wasn't an issue. For a month or two after the pullout, it wasn't an issue. Then everybody asked Hezbollah why it wasn't disarming when the other groups were or had. Suddenly there was occupied land that justified Hezbollah's being the resistance. Relatively very few people have let themselves be manipulated.

[liberalpragmatist]

10. The UN Supports Israel's Claim

The land is Syrian.

[cantstandbush]

12. Since when does Israel pay any attention to the UN? nt

[Hardrada]

14. Good retort!

Give it to 'em boys!

[BayCityProgressive]

15. since when

do hamas or Hezbollah?