Yara came home and asked me if I knew that Israel attacked Syria. I was surprised to hear that Israel has taken such aggressive action. They’ve been portraying themselves as the victims of suicide bombings and a campaign of terror. This action seems to run counter to that. Although it is in the spirit of the US’s attack on Afghanistan and Iraq. I’d like to believe that only the US has the moral authority to preemptively strike targets of global concern, but it looks like Israel feels it has the same authority.
I think then next few days will bring meetings at the UN denouncing Israel’s actions. These will pretty much go ignored as economic sanctions will not be imposed. Colin Powell will again be sent to the area to give stern warnings which the Israeli government will heed for a few days only to begin again after the spotlight shifts away.
If a country has a right to attack terrorist camps in another country, does that mean a country could attack one of the extremist groups training here in the US? After all, we have over 700 hate groups operating in the US. (Yeah, it f***ing scares me to see these peckers in my state).
October 7th, 2003 at 11:22 pm
speaking of hate… actually I didn’t want to write an e-mail because I’m lazy. only 12 more shopping days till Henry Park’s birthday!
October 23rd, 2003 at 5:34 pm
I guess I’ve been away too long. I would have expressed my displeasure at this post long ago.
“I was surprised to hear that Israel has taken such aggressive action. They’ve been portraying themselves as the victims of suicide bombings and a campaign of terror. This action seems to run counter to that.”
They aren’t portraying themselves as victims…they are victims. These terrorists aren’t bombing military targets, they are striking night clubs and cafe’s for the most part. Sure, they’ll get one or two soldiers, but most of the victims are women and children. As for being so aggressive lately, that has to do with who’s in charge. Ariel Sharon… I don’t think most people really know who he is. He’s the founder of the Israeli Special Unit 101. The group was designed specifically to combat the terrorist activities of the Palestinian Fedayeen. I am well aware of his involvement with Kibya. It can be viewed as a military attack or a massacre depending on who’s propaganda you believe.
When it comes to Palestinian terrorists, he’s not gonna take shit. I don’t blame them for creating a wall. The international community would have been in an uproar regardless of position of the wall.
“Colin Powell will again be sent to the area to give stern warnings which the Israeli government will heed for a few days only to begin again after the spotlight shifts away.”
I agree, the only thing the US is gonna do is say
“Shame on you Israel.” That’s it.
“If a country has a right to attack terrorist camps in another country, does that mean a country could attack one of the extremist groups training here in the US? After all, we have over 700 hate groups.”
There are major differences between the Hamas and hate groups here. If any hate group does what the militant wing of the Hamas does, the government would crack down on them and they would not be given a state paid funeral.
I agree totally that Israel have taken some extreme action within the last year. If anyone else had done the same thing, the international community would have already beat down on them. I just hate it when people criticize the action of the Israelis and turn a blind eye to what other nations have done to them.
October 24th, 2003 at 10:48 am
Although they call the Palestinians “terrorists”, they are accurately termed guerilla fighters. The Palestinians are not fighting on another country’s land, they are fighting on land that once belonged to them less than 2 generations ago.
I do consider Israel a victim. The people of Israel have been victimized, just as they have victimized numerous Palestinians. The death count tells an interesting tale as to who is suffering more: 700 dead Israelis, 1800 dead Palestinians (source: Israel’s Dangerous Crossroads by Hillel Schenker http://thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=20030203&s=schenker)
You are right about Israel’s extreme action. They are the only country I know of besides North Korea that tries to escalate tension in order to get what they want. I want to see the roadmap to peace work in the Middle East. It disappoints me that a country the US taxpayers are giving over $91 billion in aid would intentionally de-rail the peace plan the US helped architect.
October 29th, 2003 at 2:37 am
cool comments guys. i haven’t been following the middle east as of late - that’s sad considering i’m studying public policy. anyhow, thanks for the primer.
peace out bros,
hume
November 28th, 2003 at 6:41 am
Very good commentary Harry. It’s so nice to see someone back up their political arguments with factual data. You rarely see that in the mainstream media.
December 3rd, 2003 at 12:34 pm
Apparently everything I’ve typed is pure fiction because I didn’t back it up with an internet reference. We all know that if it’s on the internet then it must be true. Here’s where I get all my information from.
http://www.pro-israel.org/wars/palestine/intifada/first&second/deathtoll/1992-2003/doc.mhtml?i=20030203&s=harrysblog/rustill readingthisfakewebaddress?.txt
The Isaeli death toll of 3000 might seem inflated compared to the 500 Palestinians killed.
The page might not come up right away because of all the traffic. Just keep hitting the refresh button until it does.