Topic: Opinion
By Paul Barleycorn
Watching a conflict from the outside sometimes has its advantages. It allows you to formulate unbiased opinions and observations that are hard to see and understand if you are emotionally involved in a fight. As of this writing the conflict between Israel, Lebanon, the Palestinians, and the militant Islamic groups has been raging since July 12, 2006 when Israel went into Gaza in response to one of their soldiers being kidnapped. The conflict is still intensifying, and peace talks have failed to produce any worthwhile cease fire between the waring parties. It is a conflict that carries worldwide consequences, and a high possiblity of dragging the middle east region into the conflict. If left unchecked it could potentially become a worldwide conflict.
Watching the news as the conflict develops I am increasingly becoming appalled at how Israel is being treated by the rest of the world. Israel has shown so much restraint in their responses to their neighboring countries who are allowing militant Islamic groups to shoot missles into Israel, killing hundreds of innocent people. It has shown restraint when these militant groups send in suicide bombers to kill more innocent people. And now, these groups have become so arrogant that they have kidnapped Israeli soldiers. They have the nerve to then say in surprise, "we don't understand why Israel has responded so harshly?" Helloooo, your previous actions at any other time in world history would be considered acts of war. If you don't like Israel fighting you and destroying your cities then don't fire missles at them and don't send in your suicide bombers to kill innocent people. If you live by the sword, then you must be willing to die by it.
I was appalled to learn that the cease fire talks did not include Israel. They were'nt even invited. Fortunately, Israel's friend, the United States was there to at least provide some support for the Israeli position. But, it would have been more productive to include all the waring parties. The UN's behavior is ridiculous. They have failed in their responsibilities of protecting their observation posts. If they don't want their soldiers to fight in the conflict, then they should have removed them from the battle field. Accidents happen and people get killed in war. That is what war is about. It is a breakdown of civilized behavior, and it is extreme in its violence. It is imoral and it drives people to do things they might not do in normal situations. I don't believe Israel purposely targeted that UN outpost. They were caught in the middle of a battle and were struck by accident. Israel has announced that it is going to investigate the situation, so the world should back off and assume that this is an accident until it is proven otherwise. But, due to the world's hatred of Israel they are paying a price. A price they have been paying ever since it erupted on the scene during World War II. That is, a hatred and mistrust towards the Jews.
The United States is also viewed with suspicions. Here we were attacked on our own soil and the world is upset that we responded the way we did. Regardless of whether our response was right or wrong, the fact is, as a sovereign nation, a response was mandatory. Otherwise, if there is no cost to a hostile party for attacking the United States, what is going to prevent future attacks like what happened on September 11? I am proud that this country is willing to stand by Israel and support her in her hour of need. I hope that our support for her continues if this conflict escalates and spreads. It doesn't matter what the rest of the world thinks of us if we are doing the right thing. Europe has forgotten what happened to it during World War II--the last time they tried appeasing their enemy. Hitler simply used their appeasement against them, and he almost succeeded in conquering all of Europe. If it wasn't for the British and the Americans, Europe would still be under a regime of hatred and oppression. Somebody has to stand up to these militant groups who believe they are on some sort of holy mission to force everyone to believe their limited and violent doctrine of hatred. I'm glad that Israel has the guts to face them. I'm also glad that the United States is also willing to stand up and face them along side our friend, Israel. --Paul
