Yuram Almanfi's Blog | The Siege of Lebanon

Comments and thoughts of an American Muslim on US Foreign policy in the Middle East and the so-called War on Terror,examining the contradictions from a perspective of justice, fairness and human rights.

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The Siege of Lebanon

26 July, 2006

Close to 400 people have been killed in Lebanon while the US Congress debates such pressing issues as stem cell research. The debate centers on the research use of fertilized eggs, that could be viewed as killing POTENTIAL HUMAN BEINGS, which most likely will be thrown out as medical waste. In Lebanon on the other hand, we are talking about ACTUAL HUMAN BEINGS, not potential ones, and the US Congress has given “Israel” a green light to destroy even more of them. I am aghast with outrage, not only at the actions of the US Congress, but also at those of the US President!

The current siege of Lebanon is a brutal display of “Israeli” power which dominates the Middle East, financed and approved by the US. To date (7-26-2006) almost four hundred Lebanese have been killed by the “Israeli” attacks, mostly civilians, with Emperor Bush giving the Zionist State all the time it wants to see how many more can be murdered. This obscene “response” to Hizbollah’s capture of two “Israeli” soldiers is not only out of proportion, but it is collective punishment of the Lebanese people and against international law.

“Israeli” Prime Minister Ehud Olmert continues to talk of fighting Hizbollah while Zionist forces bomb Lebanon, killing civilians and destroying the infrastructure.

Lt. General Dan Halutz, “Israeli” Chief of the General Staff threatens to destroy 10 buildings in Lebanon for every missile fired by Hizbollah into “Israel.”

Keep in mind that Hizbollah started as a Lebanese resistance force which was formed after the 1982 “Israeli” invasion in the aftermath of the slaughter of some 19,000 Lebanese and the wounding of 30,000. It just so happens, that Hizbollah was formed by Shi’a and, as a result, has religious ties with Iran. Also, one must look more deeply into the causes of the present crisis and not simply pin the blame on Hizbollah.

“Israel” still occupies the Golan Heights and Shebaa Farms.

“Israel” still holds Lebanese as political prisoners.

“Israel” still occupies Palestinian lands and continues attacks on Gaza.

Some 200 Lebanese per year are killed by unexploded “Israeli” mines in Lebanon.

Does the US have the power to stop “Israeli” attacks? Of course it does. The US is the world’s sole remaining super power and has demonstrated to the world that it can act quickly and ruthlessly as it has with the invasion of Iraq. All the US has to do is say stop to “Israel” and that would be it; an instant cease-fire.

The US funds “Israel” to the tune of $3 Billion in military assistance every year. I might add, also, that the Lebanese are painfully aware that the missiles and bombs being dropped upon them are made in the USA.

And what of the prospects for a cease fire? Despite a world-wide call to end the hostilities, the US Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice said she was NOT going to the Middle East for the purpose of brokering a cease-fire. She considered doing such a thing as “a quick-fix.” She said there is no point to a temporary cease fire. Saving human lives by brokering a cease-fire is now “quick-hit diplomacy.” In fact, the Secretary of State claimed that if she had rushed over to the Middle East, “… it wouldn't have been clear what I was shuttling to do." Obviously, saving Lebanese lives and infrastructure is nothing to get in a hurry about, as far as Madame Secretary is concerned.

But then what can be expected from the leaders of a country that is now rushing a special order of laser-guided bombs to “Israel”?

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan calls for a cease-fire but the US alone says NO.

President Bush expresses “concern” for the civilians being killed but doesn’t call for a cease-fire.

Press Secretary Tony Snow proudly proclaims the US to be first with humanitarian aid to Lebanon.

US Ambassador to the UN John Bolton says "Still no-one has explained how you conduct a ceasefire with a group of terrorists".

One must ask the question, what does the US hope to accomplish with its unrestrained support for “Israel” and its actions? Is this part of US psychological operations to win the hearts and minds of people in the Middle East? I have two Lebanese friends here in the US. One was somewhat pro-Hizbollah and one was strongly anti-Hizbollah before the “Israeli” invasion. Now, both are vehemently pro-Hizbollah. So much for winning hearts and minds.

No, I think this is all part of the US plan to find an excuse to attack Syria and Iran. “Israel” is merely helping to provide a convenient pretext. If “Israel” can provoke a response from Syria, then Iran would be drawn into the conflict and thus, there would be an excuse for the US to bomb Iran to protect its ally, “Israel.”

If you, dear reader, have a heart and a conscience, then take action now to stop this slaughter of our Lebanese brothers and sisters. Make a phone call, write a letter or send and email, but do something, before it’s too late.

Yuram

2006-7-26

Posted by yuram 15:57 | Lebanon | Comment(3) | Permalink

Comments

People in the middle east love to talk about US and israel killing people. The fact is there is nobody who likes to kill more than people in the middle eastern countries. Woman are treated like property and trash and human life means nothing over there and you have the right to think but only if think like everyone else. I spent 14 years living in throughout the middle east and I am convinsed that short of the congo in africa that there is no other place in the world were human life is less valued. Its the real popular thing to hate the west now days but it is about time the arab world start looking to better its self than blaming everything on the west.

Jaun Arnoldo | 27/07/2006, 17:12 [ Reply ]

Thank you for your comment. That the US or "Israel" values human life more than Middle Eastern countries is in doubt by what is happening not only in Lebanon, but Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.

US President Bush says all life is precious but refuses to push for a cease-fire in Lebanon.
Bush talks about advancing democracy but it was the CIA that overthrew the democratically elected government of Iran in 1953.
Bush signed a bill to prohibit torture, but issued a "signing statement" saying that he would not enforce the provisions that interfere with use of executive power.

My objective in writing is to point out the contradictions, move people to action and hopefully, stop the killing. Destroying a country that had a pro-western, democratically elected government will not help achieve peace and stability in the Middle East.

Yuram | 28/07/2006, 14:14 [ Reply ]

There has been a whole lot of killing and fighting long before the US or israel. You are right about conflicting Ideas of the administration the fact is I will never trust any government completly. But I think there is too much energy being spent on people in those countries trying prove how evil there enemies are instead of doing something themselves. Too many macho head strong people who are so thick headed and want it all and will not settle for a little at a time. The only way there could possibly be peace in the middle east if the people understand that you will not get everything you want overnight. To Quote a british song writer "You can't always get what you want, But if you try sometimes you get what you need. I've seen children holding weapons and yelling out death to our enemies. With that kind of thinking how can there ever be peace over there whether the US or israel or any other western country leave and never come back. My point is that the west did not start the problems in the middle east middle eastern people did. By all means I do not want you to think I hate middle eastern people I have Arab and Muslim friends I am a firm believer in "A group of people are only as safe as the most dangerous one of them". Until there is a stronger respect for the god given gift of life then war will always be in the middle east.

Jose Arnoldo | 28/07/2006, 19:29 [ Reply ]