Tel Aviv - Israel | July 23
Dear Lebanese Neighbors..
Im reading your comments about this terrible war going on..and my heart is crying for you..
I can deeply understand what you
are going threw.. I can imagine exactly how is it like to be in a
war..to live under missiles attacks, to leave in fear, to mourn for a
close friend or a relative who was killed in the war, even though he
didnt take part in the war...to live with no running water,
electricity turning of frequently, sleep in a shelter with many other
people, in the heat and humidity, hardly getting food for several days..
Since, I have passed it all as well, and I am not that old, only 35 years old. I know exatly what do you going threw right now.
I have passed it in the golf war,
while saddam (with his own reasons) decided to fire missiles all the
way from Iraq into a country he had never visited and met the kind of
people living here..(that time it was even harder being in the shelter
because I was covered with a frightening mask against a possible
chemical missiles attach..)
I am feeling for you, dear Lebanese
neighbors, since I know exactly what you are going threw..Beacuse Im
going threw the same, here and now, in Israel, just like you do.
I am not a politician, and this is the first time for me to write to you.
I would like to tell you that I was
a student until not long ago, lucky to study in France on a student
exchange program..meeting there many Lebanese who became to be my best
friends over there.. and I guess I know why..Beacuse we had more in
common then with any other nationality..having same Falafel (still
urging where is there origin whether in Israel or Lebanon) eating same
Labaneh and thinking in the same way about many things and issues..
I am sorry for your suffer at this war..
But let me end this mail by telling just a bit of what I think about the Hezbollah and its supporters front Syria and Iran:
They wont let peace in the Middle
East, it is out of their agenda..They are here with their
fundamentalist governments and believes to get us (Israelis) out of
here..
But...sorry to say, we, my family
and friends have no plans to leave, because of a simple reason, we have
no place where to go to, since when my grandmother, who was living here
childhood in Europe was running for here life, living her family behind
to be murdered by the Nazis, explained me, that a Jewish state is
a must, and if it was decided to be in Israel, this is the land that
we, as Jews, should keep faithfully and fearlessly, even if we will
have to sacrifices our lives for living here as a free nation..simple
as that..
So, ending my letter, I can find a
solution only if Iran, Syria and their extensions such as Hezbollah on
our northern border and Hamas on our southern border will realize that
Israel is here to exist as a Jewish country, and all the region
including them (Syria and Iran) and of course the Palestinians and you
the Lebanese can gain from it much, for modest reasons such as:
Good neighbor relationship
Similar culture and music
Similar food (such as falafel and labaneh)
High technology knowledge we can share (my specialty is Internet and High tech, like many of my friends)
Good pubs and disco places
Nice whether (i guess similar to the whether in your place)
And free borders to pass threw
Europe to Africa (since Israel is just right in the middle to make you,
Lebanese, come over, by car, threw Israel to visit Jordan Egypt and the
rest of Africa, and we, Israelis, coming threw your country, Lebanon,
by car, saving flight ticket, enjoying an incredible trip, threw your
county, into Turkey and to rest of Europe (and maybe one day, threw
Syria, to Iran and Iraq (which is where my Father was born...yes I am
half Iraqi and Half Hungarian.. you see what the Hollocost cause, it
cause 2 people like my father, escaping from Iraq to Israel, while he
was seven years old to meet my mother who where born the same day like
Israel 1948, after her mither was running from the Nazis in Europe..
still you can see the number The Natzis burnd on her arm while she was
in the most terrifying ghetto Aushvitz in Germany..)
May the way to find peace will be
find. May god will be with all of us for preventing war world no. 3 to
happen, this time, the worst time, involving nuclear weapons of mass
destruction for making chaos all around the Middle East....
Bless You, Lebanese neighbors and Friends.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Monday, July 31, 2006
July 22
I cannot understand how president bush has the balls to say that Israel is defending itself against terrorism. It seems that he fails to see the terror that Israel is causing in Lebanon. So many people have been injured, so many others killed.. I do not understand how an idiot like bush is the president of the most powerful country in the world. Stop the terrorism in lebanon, stop destroying the country, stop killing innocent people and stop the war. Shame on Israel and also shame on this international community that is doing nothing for the lebanese people.
I cannot understand how president bush has the balls to say that Israel is defending itself against terrorism. It seems that he fails to see the terror that Israel is causing in Lebanon. So many people have been injured, so many others killed.. I do not understand how an idiot like bush is the president of the most powerful country in the world. Stop the terrorism in lebanon, stop destroying the country, stop killing innocent people and stop the war. Shame on Israel and also shame on this international community that is doing nothing for the lebanese people.
Monday, July 31, 2006
July 22
The Israeli Video Game
From the unclaimed airspace
It's a simple video game
For the Israeli pilots
Swarming over Lebanon.
No need for hate, nor for ferocity
At that altitude, to pulverize
The Lebanese citizens effectively;
What's a small bus on a bridge
Or a building housing a hundred souls
In this Game? Just aim and press the button;
The rest is taken care of by soulless computers.
The pilots would not be blamed for the kill
For as children they had been doing it all the time,
And for the G8 members dining with Putin,
It has also become a video game!
The Israeli Video Game
From the unclaimed airspace
It's a simple video game
For the Israeli pilots
Swarming over Lebanon.
No need for hate, nor for ferocity
At that altitude, to pulverize
The Lebanese citizens effectively;
What's a small bus on a bridge
Or a building housing a hundred souls
In this Game? Just aim and press the button;
The rest is taken care of by soulless computers.
The pilots would not be blamed for the kill
For as children they had been doing it all the time,
And for the G8 members dining with Putin,
It has also become a video game!
Monday, July 31, 2006
Cedar Rapids - IA - United States of America | July 22
Enough! Aggression on ALL sides is wrong. Look at the results. Half a million people have been displaced. Hundreds have been killed, mostly civilians and a full one-third of which are children. Bombings are used as group punishment for the sins of a few. And much of this violates international law and UN mandates. I've had enough.
I will write to my representatives and ask them to stop the insanity. Please join me in insisting that the US government call for a cease fire. With one phone call the President could end these atrocities. Please email or write your representatives today.
Enough! Aggression on ALL sides is wrong. Look at the results. Half a million people have been displaced. Hundreds have been killed, mostly civilians and a full one-third of which are children. Bombings are used as group punishment for the sins of a few. And much of this violates international law and UN mandates. I've had enough.
I will write to my representatives and ask them to stop the insanity. Please join me in insisting that the US government call for a cease fire. With one phone call the President could end these atrocities. Please email or write your representatives today.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Ainab - Lebanon | July 22
It’s been 10 days now and this is the 11th… and the madness still hasn’t stopped. I don’t think our systems have fully registered what is going on… one minute we were having a normal summer, the next we’re in a full blown out bloody war… a war we didn’t start…a war we don’t condone. We feel like prisoners in our own country… like we’ve been taken hostage and are being used as pawns or human shields in someone else’s war…we stand in shock and awe and not a little heart break as we look at the state Lebanon was brought to in a few days…Lebanon that has always been the envy of the Middle east, and has been the scapegoat in the region’s crises… actually calling it a scapegoat would imply the choice was random, whereas the choice has always been calculated and spiteful… Lebanon has always been the beacon of education and democracy and co-habilitation of several religions…its citizens are smart, resilient, life-loving people whose creativity and talent has shone all over the world and in all fields…those qualities are what make Lebanon a potential haven of beauty and democracy in the Middle East…and that’s what always makes it a target for hostility. I think back to last February when the assassination of ex-PM Hariri, an event that was thought by the perpetrators (and we all know who those are) to bring Lebanon to its knees and create more division between its people…but what happened instead…was so politically mature, so harmonic, so overwhelmingly emotional that it inspired even Western countries and warmed every Lebanese heart that had refused to believe that the Lebanon they knew existed and COULD exist if outside factors relented…was not a fantasy… the Lebanon Hariri believed in even when things seemed very bleak…the Lebanon he paid with his life for… now, not even a year after the last political assassination of our free political thinkers…we find the “Lebanese Dream” as I like to call it…threatened yet again…and it breaks my heart… Our house overlooks Beirut and so we can see and hear all bombs that drop in Southern Beirut and the International Airport…I was heading up after a series of bombings, and as soon as I saw Beirut I broke down…I started silently beseeching Hariri to help us…for in these hard times he is missed the most. He was always a pillar of support to the Lebanese and always managed to ‘get things done’ …after all, he rebuilt half of Lebanon and helped boost our economy...it is because of him that this summer was supposed to be a record high in tourism…and to see it bludgeoned like that, and thus take us back years is sometimes too much to accept…”Look ya Abou-Baha2 what they’re doing to us!” …where is the hope we had after the March 14 movement?... where are the results of years and years of hard work?... I know Lebanon will rise again…it is in our genes… our history boasts of Lebanon’s capabilities of literally rising from its ashes…just like the Phoenix that is so rightly associated with us…but for someone who loves Lebanon with all her heart, I must ask…Till when will Lebanon bare the brunt of intolerance and political primitiveness in the Middle East? Till when will Lebanon have to keep fighting for its independence and prosperity? Till when will mothers and dads and wives mourn martyrs? … Till when?
It’s been 10 days now and this is the 11th… and the madness still hasn’t stopped. I don’t think our systems have fully registered what is going on… one minute we were having a normal summer, the next we’re in a full blown out bloody war… a war we didn’t start…a war we don’t condone. We feel like prisoners in our own country… like we’ve been taken hostage and are being used as pawns or human shields in someone else’s war…we stand in shock and awe and not a little heart break as we look at the state Lebanon was brought to in a few days…Lebanon that has always been the envy of the Middle east, and has been the scapegoat in the region’s crises… actually calling it a scapegoat would imply the choice was random, whereas the choice has always been calculated and spiteful… Lebanon has always been the beacon of education and democracy and co-habilitation of several religions…its citizens are smart, resilient, life-loving people whose creativity and talent has shone all over the world and in all fields…those qualities are what make Lebanon a potential haven of beauty and democracy in the Middle East…and that’s what always makes it a target for hostility. I think back to last February when the assassination of ex-PM Hariri, an event that was thought by the perpetrators (and we all know who those are) to bring Lebanon to its knees and create more division between its people…but what happened instead…was so politically mature, so harmonic, so overwhelmingly emotional that it inspired even Western countries and warmed every Lebanese heart that had refused to believe that the Lebanon they knew existed and COULD exist if outside factors relented…was not a fantasy… the Lebanon Hariri believed in even when things seemed very bleak…the Lebanon he paid with his life for… now, not even a year after the last political assassination of our free political thinkers…we find the “Lebanese Dream” as I like to call it…threatened yet again…and it breaks my heart… Our house overlooks Beirut and so we can see and hear all bombs that drop in Southern Beirut and the International Airport…I was heading up after a series of bombings, and as soon as I saw Beirut I broke down…I started silently beseeching Hariri to help us…for in these hard times he is missed the most. He was always a pillar of support to the Lebanese and always managed to ‘get things done’ …after all, he rebuilt half of Lebanon and helped boost our economy...it is because of him that this summer was supposed to be a record high in tourism…and to see it bludgeoned like that, and thus take us back years is sometimes too much to accept…”Look ya Abou-Baha2 what they’re doing to us!” …where is the hope we had after the March 14 movement?... where are the results of years and years of hard work?... I know Lebanon will rise again…it is in our genes… our history boasts of Lebanon’s capabilities of literally rising from its ashes…just like the Phoenix that is so rightly associated with us…but for someone who loves Lebanon with all her heart, I must ask…Till when will Lebanon bare the brunt of intolerance and political primitiveness in the Middle East? Till when will Lebanon have to keep fighting for its independence and prosperity? Till when will mothers and dads and wives mourn martyrs? … Till when?
Monday, July 31, 2006
United States of America | July 21
I just wanted to send a note saying that I am fully disgusted by what is taking place in Lebanon and further disgusted by un-diplomatic actions of the White House. I am an American citizen and I stand by the Lebanese people at this time. I have sent emails around to people here in the U.S. urging them to speak out to their senators and I have donated money to help Lebanon.
I just want you to know that many people in the U.S. deplore what is happening there and are working to stop it.
I just wanted to send a note saying that I am fully disgusted by what is taking place in Lebanon and further disgusted by un-diplomatic actions of the White House. I am an American citizen and I stand by the Lebanese people at this time. I have sent emails around to people here in the U.S. urging them to speak out to their senators and I have donated money to help Lebanon.
I just want you to know that many people in the U.S. deplore what is happening there and are working to stop it.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Windsor - Ontario - Canada | July 21
I just want to say Im praying for Lebanon and that we had a really nice peace rally here the other day (Windsor Ontario Canada)..THe fact that Israel is doing this and is being supported by other countries is making me sick! I have seen the difference between the CNN reports and the arabic news..my husband is lebanese and we all gather to watch the news from Lebanon and it is much different, it shows pictures that wud devastate anyone. Lebanon must stay strong and I Know that they will and when all this is done they will re-build, and we should all help. Its a beautiful country that I hoped to visit one day. I Love the lebanese and arabic people and they accepted me when i met him. I wish i cud help in any way.
May Allah stop this soon!
I just want to say Im praying for Lebanon and that we had a really nice peace rally here the other day (Windsor Ontario Canada)..THe fact that Israel is doing this and is being supported by other countries is making me sick! I have seen the difference between the CNN reports and the arabic news..my husband is lebanese and we all gather to watch the news from Lebanon and it is much different, it shows pictures that wud devastate anyone. Lebanon must stay strong and I Know that they will and when all this is done they will re-build, and we should all help. Its a beautiful country that I hoped to visit one day. I Love the lebanese and arabic people and they accepted me when i met him. I wish i cud help in any way.
May Allah stop this soon!
Monday, July 31, 2006
United States of America | July 21
An American who taught in Lebanon reviews the current disaster
The cost of Israel’s attack on Lebanon, to the Lebanese people and to America, is much greater than the president or the media seem to understand.
My wife and I worked as educators in Lebanon from 2002 to 2004, and this past May we spent a week with our friends, colleagues, and former students in Beirut, prior to the current crisis.
In emails and phone calls, my friends are now calling desperately for help and are describing a city and countryside I have grown to love brought to its knees. The situation that is now nearly apocalyptic for the Lebanese people threatens to become apocalyptic for the entire region and possibly the entire planet.
The lighthouse on the Mediterranean coast, in whose shadow I dined on Arabic mezze and tea just a few weeks ago, and the residential community around it, has been targeted by Israeli bombs. The Beqa’a Valley orchard where my wife and I gathered mulberries in 2004 has been destroyed. The girl’s school behind our apartment, where scarved and un-scarved adolescents woke me each Saturday with their basketball games and cheers down below, is now filled with refugees from the South. The boulevards of south Beirut, thickly populated with Shi’as who had been driven from the South by the first Israeli invasion of 1978, is now a scene of flattened apartments and carnage. Many people are living in the streets and parks without water and other necessities. Our friends hide in the mountains, wondering how long food supplies may last and dreading that the social order in the cities below may collapse in a storm of looting and panic. An economy crawling back after a fratricidal civil war, an oppressive Israeli occupation, and a recent series of political assassinations is now devastated and at a standstill. A thousand bonds of friendship and interdependence fostered by American educators, businesspeople, aid workers, NGO representatives, and tourists in a land where generous hospitality is the common language, has been shattered by American bombs and rockets delivered by Israeli jets.
As of this writing, at least 230 Lebanese have been killed, almost all civilians, while Israel has suffered 31 dead, about half of them civilians. Hundreds of thousands are displaced. The economic infrastructure—roads, bridges, waterworks, power plants, airports, and seaports—has been systematically devastated. 25,000 Americans, along with tens of thousand of other foreigners, languish in harm’s way, many clamoring to escape. Given the true scope of the catastrophe and the danger it provides to the world, it is no exaggeration to say that Israel has wildly and disproportionately reacted to Hezbollah’s recent hostage taking.
Furthermore, Israel’s objective of smashing Hezbollah, of isolating it from the rest of the country, or of forcing it to disarm is doomed and can only lead to a greater disaster for all. Hezbollah is highly respected by most Lebanese, and revered by many, since only Hezbollah was capable of whittling away at the hated Israeli occupation that lasted from 1978 to 2000. Hezbollah also fills a social vacuum, providing, with Syrian and Iranian assistance, necessary social services among the disadvantaged Shi’a population in a country dominated by neoliberal economic policies and afflicted with clientelism and corruption. Hezbollah has a twenty-four year history in Lebanon, born as an Iranian-inspired Shi’a militia that fought the Israelis and evolved into an established political party with a broad spectrum of allies and a reputation for honest governance.
There are many distinct world views represented among the Lebanese, largely along religious lines, but that would be an oversimplification. Some oppose Hezbollah vehemently. Some support the Iraq war. Some support the Syrian influence, some oppose, and some say the Syrians have left, so Syria is a non-issue. Some believe European colonialism brought parliamentary democracy to the benighted Arab world. Some revere Generalissimo Franco and the Crusaders. Some revere Ayatolla Khomeini. Some operated under Israeli tutelage when they massacred the Palestinians of the Sabra and Chatila refugee camps, nestled in the Shi’a neighborhoods of south Beirut. But these disparate views obscure the fact that most are good people, dedicated to their families, struggling with life’s vicissitudes in their individual ways, vulnerable as human beings to terror and hysteria, but open to a reasonable resolution of their conflicts if it respects their dignity and rights. And in spite of their differences, right now they are all victims of Israeli violence and an American President who has abandoned his responsibility to use diplomacy to restore peace. When American forces were sent to Beirut in 1983 by an administration ignorant of Lebanese realities, 241 marines, soldiers, and sailors paid the price. Today, the price may be immensely higher.
The only other insight I can provide given our recent visit is regarding Hezbollah’s motivation for a violent and irresponsible escalation for which all Lebanese are paying a bloody price. The role of Iran or Syria in prodding Hezbollah to raise the stakes with a cross-border action can only be speculated. It was clear as we rode through the Shi’a neighborhoods in the south of Beirut in late May of this year that Hezbollah was in a heightened state of solidarity with the embargoed Hamas-led government in Palestine. Hezbollah activists with their yellow and green flags collected funds for Palestine at stoplights. Furthermore, Hezbollah has attempted at least two similar incursions, one in November of 2005 and one that failed a few months ago with the lost of three Hezbollah soldiers. Israel’s response at that time was no more than the tit-for-tat dance that has gone on for years with its tacit limits and only occasional fatalities, but that was before Israel’s current punitive expedition into Gaza. Robert Fisk, the premier journalist writing for the British Independent—generally unflinching in reporting unpleasant truths about Israeli policy and not given to speculation—puts much of the blame on Syria and its leader Bashar Assad, a pale shadow of his ruthless but wiser father, Hafez. Unfortunately, the U. S. has not had open channels of communication with Syria since the extraordinary rendition of Maher Arar, the Canadian national seized in New York by American officials and abused for a year in a Syrian grave-sized dungeon. There are a number of issues afflicting Lebanon and motivating Hezbollah that are generally below the American radar screen, but these must be discussed in any negotiations leading to a lasting settlement: remaining hostages, hundreds of Lebanese missing since the Israeli occupation, 140,000 Israeli landmines left in Lebanon, Litani River water rights, Israeli overflights by supersonic jets, and disputed territories such as the Sheba’a Farms.
We must demand that President Bush join the call for an unconditional cease-fire between Lebanese Hezbollah and Israel. If any truce or cease-fire is to lead to peace, negotiations that follow should be open to all outstanding issues. If there is to be a multinational force inserted in southern Lebanon, it must be acceptable to the Lebanese. Of course, any ultimate resolution would include Israel’s compliance with U. N. resolution 242, a return to its 1967 borders, and its acceptance of the government of Palestine, but this crisis transcends competing viewpoints about that root conflict.
So, my friends, write, march, plead and demand. Recently Representative Denise Kucinich introduced H. Con. Res. 450, calling on the president to promote and immediate, unconditional cease-fire. You can urge your representative to sign on at http://capwiz.com/pdamerica/issues/alert/?alertid=8919726&type=CO. To reiterate and suggest talking points:
Diplomacy and negotiations are superior to missiles and bombs.
I have left out volumes here about the current conflict that I believe the reader can find elsewhere, especially concerning the whole history and analysis of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that is of course the context for almost everything in the Middle East, not to mention the complicated history of Lebanon. However, if you wish to delve deeper into the subject, there is a subscription information service designed for journalists and other professionals for 12 bucks a month, very up to date and objective at www.lebanonwire.com.
Sala’am, Paix, Shalom
An American who taught in Lebanon reviews the current disaster
The cost of Israel’s attack on Lebanon, to the Lebanese people and to America, is much greater than the president or the media seem to understand.
My wife and I worked as educators in Lebanon from 2002 to 2004, and this past May we spent a week with our friends, colleagues, and former students in Beirut, prior to the current crisis.
In emails and phone calls, my friends are now calling desperately for help and are describing a city and countryside I have grown to love brought to its knees. The situation that is now nearly apocalyptic for the Lebanese people threatens to become apocalyptic for the entire region and possibly the entire planet.
The lighthouse on the Mediterranean coast, in whose shadow I dined on Arabic mezze and tea just a few weeks ago, and the residential community around it, has been targeted by Israeli bombs. The Beqa’a Valley orchard where my wife and I gathered mulberries in 2004 has been destroyed. The girl’s school behind our apartment, where scarved and un-scarved adolescents woke me each Saturday with their basketball games and cheers down below, is now filled with refugees from the South. The boulevards of south Beirut, thickly populated with Shi’as who had been driven from the South by the first Israeli invasion of 1978, is now a scene of flattened apartments and carnage. Many people are living in the streets and parks without water and other necessities. Our friends hide in the mountains, wondering how long food supplies may last and dreading that the social order in the cities below may collapse in a storm of looting and panic. An economy crawling back after a fratricidal civil war, an oppressive Israeli occupation, and a recent series of political assassinations is now devastated and at a standstill. A thousand bonds of friendship and interdependence fostered by American educators, businesspeople, aid workers, NGO representatives, and tourists in a land where generous hospitality is the common language, has been shattered by American bombs and rockets delivered by Israeli jets.
As of this writing, at least 230 Lebanese have been killed, almost all civilians, while Israel has suffered 31 dead, about half of them civilians. Hundreds of thousands are displaced. The economic infrastructure—roads, bridges, waterworks, power plants, airports, and seaports—has been systematically devastated. 25,000 Americans, along with tens of thousand of other foreigners, languish in harm’s way, many clamoring to escape. Given the true scope of the catastrophe and the danger it provides to the world, it is no exaggeration to say that Israel has wildly and disproportionately reacted to Hezbollah’s recent hostage taking.
Furthermore, Israel’s objective of smashing Hezbollah, of isolating it from the rest of the country, or of forcing it to disarm is doomed and can only lead to a greater disaster for all. Hezbollah is highly respected by most Lebanese, and revered by many, since only Hezbollah was capable of whittling away at the hated Israeli occupation that lasted from 1978 to 2000. Hezbollah also fills a social vacuum, providing, with Syrian and Iranian assistance, necessary social services among the disadvantaged Shi’a population in a country dominated by neoliberal economic policies and afflicted with clientelism and corruption. Hezbollah has a twenty-four year history in Lebanon, born as an Iranian-inspired Shi’a militia that fought the Israelis and evolved into an established political party with a broad spectrum of allies and a reputation for honest governance.
There are many distinct world views represented among the Lebanese, largely along religious lines, but that would be an oversimplification. Some oppose Hezbollah vehemently. Some support the Iraq war. Some support the Syrian influence, some oppose, and some say the Syrians have left, so Syria is a non-issue. Some believe European colonialism brought parliamentary democracy to the benighted Arab world. Some revere Generalissimo Franco and the Crusaders. Some revere Ayatolla Khomeini. Some operated under Israeli tutelage when they massacred the Palestinians of the Sabra and Chatila refugee camps, nestled in the Shi’a neighborhoods of south Beirut. But these disparate views obscure the fact that most are good people, dedicated to their families, struggling with life’s vicissitudes in their individual ways, vulnerable as human beings to terror and hysteria, but open to a reasonable resolution of their conflicts if it respects their dignity and rights. And in spite of their differences, right now they are all victims of Israeli violence and an American President who has abandoned his responsibility to use diplomacy to restore peace. When American forces were sent to Beirut in 1983 by an administration ignorant of Lebanese realities, 241 marines, soldiers, and sailors paid the price. Today, the price may be immensely higher.
The only other insight I can provide given our recent visit is regarding Hezbollah’s motivation for a violent and irresponsible escalation for which all Lebanese are paying a bloody price. The role of Iran or Syria in prodding Hezbollah to raise the stakes with a cross-border action can only be speculated. It was clear as we rode through the Shi’a neighborhoods in the south of Beirut in late May of this year that Hezbollah was in a heightened state of solidarity with the embargoed Hamas-led government in Palestine. Hezbollah activists with their yellow and green flags collected funds for Palestine at stoplights. Furthermore, Hezbollah has attempted at least two similar incursions, one in November of 2005 and one that failed a few months ago with the lost of three Hezbollah soldiers. Israel’s response at that time was no more than the tit-for-tat dance that has gone on for years with its tacit limits and only occasional fatalities, but that was before Israel’s current punitive expedition into Gaza. Robert Fisk, the premier journalist writing for the British Independent—generally unflinching in reporting unpleasant truths about Israeli policy and not given to speculation—puts much of the blame on Syria and its leader Bashar Assad, a pale shadow of his ruthless but wiser father, Hafez. Unfortunately, the U. S. has not had open channels of communication with Syria since the extraordinary rendition of Maher Arar, the Canadian national seized in New York by American officials and abused for a year in a Syrian grave-sized dungeon. There are a number of issues afflicting Lebanon and motivating Hezbollah that are generally below the American radar screen, but these must be discussed in any negotiations leading to a lasting settlement: remaining hostages, hundreds of Lebanese missing since the Israeli occupation, 140,000 Israeli landmines left in Lebanon, Litani River water rights, Israeli overflights by supersonic jets, and disputed territories such as the Sheba’a Farms.
We must demand that President Bush join the call for an unconditional cease-fire between Lebanese Hezbollah and Israel. If any truce or cease-fire is to lead to peace, negotiations that follow should be open to all outstanding issues. If there is to be a multinational force inserted in southern Lebanon, it must be acceptable to the Lebanese. Of course, any ultimate resolution would include Israel’s compliance with U. N. resolution 242, a return to its 1967 borders, and its acceptance of the government of Palestine, but this crisis transcends competing viewpoints about that root conflict.
So, my friends, write, march, plead and demand. Recently Representative Denise Kucinich introduced H. Con. Res. 450, calling on the president to promote and immediate, unconditional cease-fire. You can urge your representative to sign on at http://capwiz.com/pdamerica/issues/alert/?alertid=8919726&type=CO. To reiterate and suggest talking points:
- The catastrophe to the Lebanese People is incalculable: hundreds killed, hundreds of thousands displaced, the economy devastated, and society on the verge of chaos.
- Tens of thousands of Americans and other foreign nationals are in grave danger of Israeli bombs, Lebanese retaliation, and social chaos.
- The country is rapidly approaching a point of no return, and the world cannot wait for the conflict to play itself out.
- American influence, the development of democracy, and respect for human rights are likely to be the victims of Israel’s actions.
- Israel’s use of American weapons to inflict almost entirely civilian casualties and to destroy the civilian infrastructure violates Section 4 of the (U.S.) Arms Export Control Act and the Fourth Geneva Convention.
- The region and the world are endangered by a spreading conflict.
- Hezbollah is too entrenched, too popular, and too well-armed to be crushed without a totally unacceptable loss of life on all sides.
- Hezbollah has a stake in the democratic and peaceful development of Lebanon.
- Lebanese society is too complex for simplistic attempts at re-engineering by violence.
- The Lebanese people can resolve their differences with support, not interference by their neighbors.
- Given the scale of the disaster and the danger to the world, the Israeli reaction to Hezbollah’s hostage taking is wildly disproportionate and irresponsible.
- President Bush must support a cease-fire without conditions for either side. Hezbollah stops its missile attacks on Israel and Israel ends all missile attacks, shelling, and bombing of Lebanon.
Diplomacy and negotiations are superior to missiles and bombs.
I have left out volumes here about the current conflict that I believe the reader can find elsewhere, especially concerning the whole history and analysis of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that is of course the context for almost everything in the Middle East, not to mention the complicated history of Lebanon. However, if you wish to delve deeper into the subject, there is a subscription information service designed for journalists and other professionals for 12 bucks a month, very up to date and objective at www.lebanonwire.com.
Sala’am, Paix, Shalom
Monday, July 31, 2006
France | July 21
"Aux femmes de Beyrouth: ("To the women of Beyrouth"):
Aujourd'hui, j'ai dû me cacher pour qu'on ne me voie pas pleurer. Je suis allée voir des évacuations de Libanais. C'était dans le jardin Al-Sanayeh, où j'avais pris des photos il y a quelques jours et vu des vieux donner à manger aux pigeons. Pendant la guerre précédente, un panneau accroché à l'entrée avertissait:
"Il est interdit d'entrer avec des armes"...
Eh bien, dans ce parc étaient à présent réunis des Libanais émigrés en Allemagne et venus passer ici leurs vacances, sur lesquels toute cette horreur s'est abattue il y a une semaine. J'ai escaladé la grille du parc avec ma maladresse et mes 63 ans, j'ai pris une photo, j'ai essayé de redescendre et je me suis rendu compte que ma manche s'était accrochée à l'une des pointes de la grille. J'ai vite compris que je préférais sauver mon genou gauche, quitte à sacrifier au moins l'une de mes manches. Je me suis laissée tomber et là, avec une délicatesse que je ne saurais restituer avec des mots, un groupe de femmes m'a entourée, m'a embrassée et m'a couverte avec mon châle. Elles m'ont raconté leur tragédie. Au lieu de vous la décrire, je vous demanderais d'utiliser vos neurones et de l'imaginer.
L'évacuation de ceux qui sont toujours vaincus, toujours perdus. De ces femmes extraordinaires qui luttent fièrement pour leurs enfants et leur famille, et qui, même si elles détestent profondément les formes démocratiques avec lesquelles nous aidons Israël à se défendre, ont entouré l'Occidentale que je suis et l'ont couverte de tendresse.
Je n'ai pas pu m'empêcher d'aller chez mon ami Antoine le libraire, pour lui demander les oeuvres complètes de la poètesse libanaise Nadia Tuéni. Je vous lis un poème d'elle, intitulé Femmes de mon pays:
"Femmes de mon pays, / une même lumière durcit vos corps, / une même ombre le repose; / doucement élégiaques en vos métamorphoses. / Une même souffrance gerce vos lèvres, / et vos yeux sont sertis par un unique orfèvre. /Vous, / qui rassurez la montagne, / qui faites croire à l'homme qu'il est homme, / à la cendre qu'elle est fertile, / au paysage qu'il est immuable. / Femmes de mon pays, / vous, qui dans le chaos retrouvez le durable."
Femmes du Liban voilées ou découvertes, qui doivent vivre et que nous devons sauver de cette folie. Pour qu'elles continuent à garder les pieds sur terre, qu'elles aient toujours cet esprit fébrilement en quête de solutions quotidiennes, et aussi cette sainte colère avec laquelle elles crient aux journalistes: "Pourquoi? Pourquoi ils nous font ça ? Qu'est-ce que nous avons à voir là-dedans, nous et nos enfants ?" Femmes de Tripoli, de Saïda, de Tyr, de Jezzin, de Beyrouth... si promptes à donner la vie et à la conserver, si aguerries par la souffrance.
Aujourd'hui nous sommes lundi, mais on se croirait un dimanche ou un vendredi, la ville est fermée, et le Musée national, une fois de plus, est protégé. Le long chemin d'antan redevient un désert menaçant, hérissé de barbelés, de blocs de ciment, de soldats, de blindés légers. On voit briller au loin, sous le soleil, le patient musée qui renferme les vies antérieures de ce pays si difficile à comprendre et si facile à aimer. Ou l'inverse.
Je me suis rendue ensuite dans le quartier [commerçant] de Hamra, dont 80 % des magasins sont fermés. Un vrai crèvecreur : car quand Hamra n'est plus Hamra, ce sont les derniers. bastions de l'espoir qui s'effondrent. Parmi les boutiques restées ouvertes, deux sont particulièrement touchantes. La première, qui vend des parfums de contrefaçon (mettons du Chianel ou du Dioret), est dans le noir (n'ont d'électricité que ceux qui possèdent un groupe électrogène). La vendeuse, Mara, dit qu'elle ne cherche pas à vendre; tout ce qu'elle veut, c'est qu'on lui tienne compagnie. L'autre est un magasin de lingerie qui m'a fait rire et pleurer en même temps, parce qu'il est spécialisé dans les grandes tailles et, vu la tournure que prennent les événements, je vais avoir besoin de rechanges.
En parlant de femmes, hier, à l'hôpital Sahel, à Ghobeiry, au sud de Beyrouth, des journalistes étrangers se pressaient autour du médecin, en quête d'informations. "Et vous ?", ai-je demandé à l'une des femmes présentes. "Moi,je ne suis qu'infirmière", m'a-t-elle répondu. Elle s'appelle Aida. Dans une autre salle, deux autres qui n'étaient elles aussi qu'infirmières regardaient les infos à la télévision; près d'un banc, à proximité, se trouvait le landau vide d'un bébé. "Sa mère, une infirmière, est allée le promener, tant qu'il n y a pas de bombes." Elles dorment ici depuis le début des bombardements.
Les femmes de ce pays. Sauvez-les. ".
Maruja Torres
(dans journal El Pais, Madrid, traduction Courrier International)
Maruja Torres a été longtemps correspondante de guerre au Liban. Elle est arrivée à Beyrouth quelques jours avant le début des bombardements israéliens. Elle était venue faire des reportages sur la renaissance de la capitale libanaise…
Que faire, nous…ici en France? après avoir vu, lu et entendu ce que les média nous montrent au Liban…
Peut-être appeler à se rassembler devant les ambassades et consulats d'Israël (et d'autres pays du G8 + l'Elysée, les préfectures,…), pour y jeter des noyaux d'abricots (c'est la saison…) et y faire jouer à fond et sans interruption le "I put a spell on you" de Natacha Atlas…
Ceux qui ont vu le magnifique film "Intervention Divine" (de Elia Suleiman, 2002) auront compris…
Pour les autres, explications ci-dessous + écouter extraits de "I put a spell on you" sur Itunes; + chercher "Intervention Divine" sur "Google" ou http://www.cannes-fest.com/2002/f_divine.htm
"Intervention divine"
Film réalisé par Elia Suleiman (2002 )
Prix du jury, Prix de la Critique - Cannes 2002
(1e scène:
Tout en roulant, anodinement, le personnage joué par Suleiman jette par la fenêtre de sa voiture un noyau d'abricot… qui fait exploser un char israélien
2e scène:
Le personnage joué par Suleiman se trouve à un feu rouge, avec à sa gauche un Juif dans une voiture garnie de drapeaux israéliens; Il met en route à fort volume une cassette de Natacha Atlas en fixant derrière ses lunettes noires l'homme dans la voiture d'à côté : "I put a spell on you", je te jette un sort… par ce geste, c'est plutôt un "tu vois, je suis là moi aussi" que Suleiman lance à tous ceux qui répandent la haine et le mépris des Arabes de Palestine…)
"Aux femmes de Beyrouth: ("To the women of Beyrouth"):
Aujourd'hui, j'ai dû me cacher pour qu'on ne me voie pas pleurer. Je suis allée voir des évacuations de Libanais. C'était dans le jardin Al-Sanayeh, où j'avais pris des photos il y a quelques jours et vu des vieux donner à manger aux pigeons. Pendant la guerre précédente, un panneau accroché à l'entrée avertissait:
"Il est interdit d'entrer avec des armes"...
Eh bien, dans ce parc étaient à présent réunis des Libanais émigrés en Allemagne et venus passer ici leurs vacances, sur lesquels toute cette horreur s'est abattue il y a une semaine. J'ai escaladé la grille du parc avec ma maladresse et mes 63 ans, j'ai pris une photo, j'ai essayé de redescendre et je me suis rendu compte que ma manche s'était accrochée à l'une des pointes de la grille. J'ai vite compris que je préférais sauver mon genou gauche, quitte à sacrifier au moins l'une de mes manches. Je me suis laissée tomber et là, avec une délicatesse que je ne saurais restituer avec des mots, un groupe de femmes m'a entourée, m'a embrassée et m'a couverte avec mon châle. Elles m'ont raconté leur tragédie. Au lieu de vous la décrire, je vous demanderais d'utiliser vos neurones et de l'imaginer.
L'évacuation de ceux qui sont toujours vaincus, toujours perdus. De ces femmes extraordinaires qui luttent fièrement pour leurs enfants et leur famille, et qui, même si elles détestent profondément les formes démocratiques avec lesquelles nous aidons Israël à se défendre, ont entouré l'Occidentale que je suis et l'ont couverte de tendresse.
Je n'ai pas pu m'empêcher d'aller chez mon ami Antoine le libraire, pour lui demander les oeuvres complètes de la poètesse libanaise Nadia Tuéni. Je vous lis un poème d'elle, intitulé Femmes de mon pays:
"Femmes de mon pays, / une même lumière durcit vos corps, / une même ombre le repose; / doucement élégiaques en vos métamorphoses. / Une même souffrance gerce vos lèvres, / et vos yeux sont sertis par un unique orfèvre. /Vous, / qui rassurez la montagne, / qui faites croire à l'homme qu'il est homme, / à la cendre qu'elle est fertile, / au paysage qu'il est immuable. / Femmes de mon pays, / vous, qui dans le chaos retrouvez le durable."
Femmes du Liban voilées ou découvertes, qui doivent vivre et que nous devons sauver de cette folie. Pour qu'elles continuent à garder les pieds sur terre, qu'elles aient toujours cet esprit fébrilement en quête de solutions quotidiennes, et aussi cette sainte colère avec laquelle elles crient aux journalistes: "Pourquoi? Pourquoi ils nous font ça ? Qu'est-ce que nous avons à voir là-dedans, nous et nos enfants ?" Femmes de Tripoli, de Saïda, de Tyr, de Jezzin, de Beyrouth... si promptes à donner la vie et à la conserver, si aguerries par la souffrance.
Aujourd'hui nous sommes lundi, mais on se croirait un dimanche ou un vendredi, la ville est fermée, et le Musée national, une fois de plus, est protégé. Le long chemin d'antan redevient un désert menaçant, hérissé de barbelés, de blocs de ciment, de soldats, de blindés légers. On voit briller au loin, sous le soleil, le patient musée qui renferme les vies antérieures de ce pays si difficile à comprendre et si facile à aimer. Ou l'inverse.
Je me suis rendue ensuite dans le quartier [commerçant] de Hamra, dont 80 % des magasins sont fermés. Un vrai crèvecreur : car quand Hamra n'est plus Hamra, ce sont les derniers. bastions de l'espoir qui s'effondrent. Parmi les boutiques restées ouvertes, deux sont particulièrement touchantes. La première, qui vend des parfums de contrefaçon (mettons du Chianel ou du Dioret), est dans le noir (n'ont d'électricité que ceux qui possèdent un groupe électrogène). La vendeuse, Mara, dit qu'elle ne cherche pas à vendre; tout ce qu'elle veut, c'est qu'on lui tienne compagnie. L'autre est un magasin de lingerie qui m'a fait rire et pleurer en même temps, parce qu'il est spécialisé dans les grandes tailles et, vu la tournure que prennent les événements, je vais avoir besoin de rechanges.
En parlant de femmes, hier, à l'hôpital Sahel, à Ghobeiry, au sud de Beyrouth, des journalistes étrangers se pressaient autour du médecin, en quête d'informations. "Et vous ?", ai-je demandé à l'une des femmes présentes. "Moi,je ne suis qu'infirmière", m'a-t-elle répondu. Elle s'appelle Aida. Dans une autre salle, deux autres qui n'étaient elles aussi qu'infirmières regardaient les infos à la télévision; près d'un banc, à proximité, se trouvait le landau vide d'un bébé. "Sa mère, une infirmière, est allée le promener, tant qu'il n y a pas de bombes." Elles dorment ici depuis le début des bombardements.
Les femmes de ce pays. Sauvez-les. ".
Maruja Torres
(dans journal El Pais, Madrid, traduction Courrier International)
Maruja Torres a été longtemps correspondante de guerre au Liban. Elle est arrivée à Beyrouth quelques jours avant le début des bombardements israéliens. Elle était venue faire des reportages sur la renaissance de la capitale libanaise…
Que faire, nous…ici en France? après avoir vu, lu et entendu ce que les média nous montrent au Liban…
Peut-être appeler à se rassembler devant les ambassades et consulats d'Israël (et d'autres pays du G8 + l'Elysée, les préfectures,…), pour y jeter des noyaux d'abricots (c'est la saison…) et y faire jouer à fond et sans interruption le "I put a spell on you" de Natacha Atlas…
Ceux qui ont vu le magnifique film "Intervention Divine" (de Elia Suleiman, 2002) auront compris…
Pour les autres, explications ci-dessous + écouter extraits de "I put a spell on you" sur Itunes; + chercher "Intervention Divine" sur "Google" ou http://www.cannes-fest.com/2002/f_divine.htm
"Intervention divine"
Film réalisé par Elia Suleiman (2002 )
Prix du jury, Prix de la Critique - Cannes 2002
(1e scène:
Tout en roulant, anodinement, le personnage joué par Suleiman jette par la fenêtre de sa voiture un noyau d'abricot… qui fait exploser un char israélien
2e scène:
Le personnage joué par Suleiman se trouve à un feu rouge, avec à sa gauche un Juif dans une voiture garnie de drapeaux israéliens; Il met en route à fort volume une cassette de Natacha Atlas en fixant derrière ses lunettes noires l'homme dans la voiture d'à côté : "I put a spell on you", je te jette un sort… par ce geste, c'est plutôt un "tu vois, je suis là moi aussi" que Suleiman lance à tous ceux qui répandent la haine et le mépris des Arabes de Palestine…)
Monday, July 31, 2006
July 20
Le Liban, en reconstruction depuis quinze ans, avait-il besoin de voir tous ses efforts anéantis en moins de quinze jours par une armée israélienne arrogante et totalement dépourvue de discernement, bombardant des civils, des femmes, des enfants, des hommes, assez pauvres pour ne pas bénéficier des protections dont dispose de son côté Israël ?
J'accuse l'Etat israélien de se livrer au pogrom pur et simple du Peuple Libanais, au mépris du droit international.
Et je m'inquiète : compte tenu des quelques islamistes qui vivent sur le territoire français, n'aurons-nous pas droit aussi, dans un futur proche, à une expédition punitive du même genre ?
Se pourrait-il qu'un jour Paris soit bombardé parce que quelques fanatiques qui déplaisent à l'Etat d'Israël conspirent contre lui à Barbès ?
Je suis libanais de coeur, des membres de ma famille, qui essuient actuellement les frappes israéliennes à Beyrouth, ont la double nationalité, et j'en suis fier.
Je déclare par conséquent criminelle et terroriste l'agression du Liban par Israël.
Le Liban, en reconstruction depuis quinze ans, avait-il besoin de voir tous ses efforts anéantis en moins de quinze jours par une armée israélienne arrogante et totalement dépourvue de discernement, bombardant des civils, des femmes, des enfants, des hommes, assez pauvres pour ne pas bénéficier des protections dont dispose de son côté Israël ?
J'accuse l'Etat israélien de se livrer au pogrom pur et simple du Peuple Libanais, au mépris du droit international.
Et je m'inquiète : compte tenu des quelques islamistes qui vivent sur le territoire français, n'aurons-nous pas droit aussi, dans un futur proche, à une expédition punitive du même genre ?
Se pourrait-il qu'un jour Paris soit bombardé parce que quelques fanatiques qui déplaisent à l'Etat d'Israël conspirent contre lui à Barbès ?
Je suis libanais de coeur, des membres de ma famille, qui essuient actuellement les frappes israéliennes à Beyrouth, ont la double nationalité, et j'en suis fier.
Je déclare par conséquent criminelle et terroriste l'agression du Liban par Israël.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Jeddah - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia | July 20
Lebanon will have to face the real issue after the end of this nightmare. The reality will show that up to this day, half of the vital infrastructures are destroyed, in addition to a demographical problem after the emigration of more than half million Lebanese.
Long term plans should be set as soon as possible, leaving politicians to work on stopping the attacks while investors draw a reconstruction plan, working in parallel will lift Lebanon faster to regain its economical status in the Middle East.
With its already $40 Billion public debt, Lebanese government can no longer allow reconstruction expenses; European and Arab countries should get involved in this reconstruction plan, by giving damaged bridges to Germany, airport to France or Holland, houses to Arab countries (specially that this is an opportunity to construct new organized buildings after the chaos that was ruling in the southern suburb of Beirut).
Finally, this is no longer a war against Hezbollah or a military action in order to get back kidnapped soldiers, it's a total destruction of the Lebanese economy for the next 5 years, a booming economy that Israel always feared.
Lebanon will have to face the real issue after the end of this nightmare. The reality will show that up to this day, half of the vital infrastructures are destroyed, in addition to a demographical problem after the emigration of more than half million Lebanese.
Long term plans should be set as soon as possible, leaving politicians to work on stopping the attacks while investors draw a reconstruction plan, working in parallel will lift Lebanon faster to regain its economical status in the Middle East.
With its already $40 Billion public debt, Lebanese government can no longer allow reconstruction expenses; European and Arab countries should get involved in this reconstruction plan, by giving damaged bridges to Germany, airport to France or Holland, houses to Arab countries (specially that this is an opportunity to construct new organized buildings after the chaos that was ruling in the southern suburb of Beirut).
Finally, this is no longer a war against Hezbollah or a military action in order to get back kidnapped soldiers, it's a total destruction of the Lebanese economy for the next 5 years, a booming economy that Israel always feared.
Monday, July 31, 2006
France | July 20
C'est si difficile d'adresser une parole d'amitié et de soutien au peuple libanais : chaque mot semble indécent, tant le Liban a besoin d'action plus que de compassion.
Pourtant, le peuple libanais est dans notre coeur.
C'est si difficile d'adresser une parole d'amitié et de soutien au peuple libanais : chaque mot semble indécent, tant le Liban a besoin d'action plus que de compassion.
Pourtant, le peuple libanais est dans notre coeur.
Monday, July 31, 2006
United Arab Emirates | July 19
We talk about uniting for Lebanons sake... we talk about standing together hand by hand to fight for our beloved country.
We ask for forgiveness and mercy. We pretend to forget our problems with each other. My message here, this time is to all who care.
Lebanon at this state isnt looking for our stupid jealousy and personal fights.
Asking people to say what they feel or say prayers through a forwarded email, "i know" wont make any difference, but definitely will show people all over the world that there is people who care about their country and nation. It will also give a chance to people to say what they feel towards this war, hoping to be heard.
I know it wont get us anywhere, I know it wont stop the war..but i want to assure you that it would and already have reached to people in the States, Canada, France, Italy, India, Pakistan, Jordan, Egypt and more to come...
We want our wishes to reach to the world, we want our prayers to be heard by people. And i know that it will - definitely will- reach the goverments...
TO ALL LEBANESE AND THE ARAB WORLD...
UNITE FOR OUR WORLD, FOR THE GIFT WE RECEIVED FROM GOD...
If no one in the world wants to stand by our side..we are able to do it...ONLY IF WE UNITE.
We talk about uniting for Lebanons sake... we talk about standing together hand by hand to fight for our beloved country.
We ask for forgiveness and mercy. We pretend to forget our problems with each other. My message here, this time is to all who care.
Lebanon at this state isnt looking for our stupid jealousy and personal fights.
Asking people to say what they feel or say prayers through a forwarded email, "i know" wont make any difference, but definitely will show people all over the world that there is people who care about their country and nation. It will also give a chance to people to say what they feel towards this war, hoping to be heard.
I know it wont get us anywhere, I know it wont stop the war..but i want to assure you that it would and already have reached to people in the States, Canada, France, Italy, India, Pakistan, Jordan, Egypt and more to come...
We want our wishes to reach to the world, we want our prayers to be heard by people. And i know that it will - definitely will- reach the goverments...
TO ALL LEBANESE AND THE ARAB WORLD...
UNITE FOR OUR WORLD, FOR THE GIFT WE RECEIVED FROM GOD...
If no one in the world wants to stand by our side..we are able to do it...ONLY IF WE UNITE.
Monday, July 31, 2006
United States of America | July 19
I'd simply like to add my written support for the thoughts and motives of this site and the people who populate it. As an American, the silence of my government in regards to the destruction of Lebanon's infrastructure is devastating. This method of attacking "terrorism" through mass bombings and civilian casualties is as much a despicable act as it was when the U.S.invaded Iraq three years ago. I pray for safety for all of you in Lebanon and I pray for the leaders of our nations to come together to stop this violence.
I'd simply like to add my written support for the thoughts and motives of this site and the people who populate it. As an American, the silence of my government in regards to the destruction of Lebanon's infrastructure is devastating. This method of attacking "terrorism" through mass bombings and civilian casualties is as much a despicable act as it was when the U.S.invaded Iraq three years ago. I pray for safety for all of you in Lebanon and I pray for the leaders of our nations to come together to stop this violence.
Monday, July 31, 2006
London - England | July 19
Israel's attack on Lebanese civilians is illegal...however it is a shame that the international community fail to see that. Israel's retaliation has caused pratically no Hezbollah militants to be killed....BUT in doing so have caused the death of hundreds of innocent Lebanese civilians including the elderly, women and children...
Israeli officials accused Syria and Iran of providing Lebanese guerrillas with sophisticated weapons, saying the missiles that hit Haifa had greater range and heavier warheads than those Hezbollah had fired before. I myself am half Iranian. I am not Lebanese, I am not Syrian, I am not Israeli, and I am not Palestinian. I have never been to Lebanon but I have heard amazing things about its people and their suffering. My heart goes out to them. My thoughts and prayers are with all those in Lebanon and will try my best to do what I can for its people.
All I have to say is, let go of political differences, let go of social differences, and let go of religious differences. We are all for the same cause, unite as one and do not let your support wane. Do not let this attack split the people, Israel attacking the Lebanese army and killing Lebanese soldier’s shows us ultimately their ulterior motive. The Israelis are provoking the Lebanese Army and it is clear they are trying to incite civil war...
The US staying "quiet" says it all; they are way over extended to deal with anything, what with having troops all across the Middle East in their "War on Terror", and in trying to dismantle the “Axis of Evil” as they call it.
The UN has yet again failed to do anything about this illegal attack as it did regarding Afghanistan AND Iraq.
Israel never answers to the UN and in my opinion never will. I believe they planned this whole attack. The US’s support was wavering and they were actually beginning to negotiate with Iran regarding Nuclear Weapons. The media coverage had moved away from Syria and Iran, and it looked as if diplomacy was working. It was a way to get America to take a second look by blaming Iran as well as Syria, and as a result has led to increased hatred across the world against the Israeli’s. It is no longer a war over "religion" or "race" it is a war over what is best for Israel's interests. They have compromised their own principles and even their own people’s faith in the government.
However, it is wrong to say that all Israeli’s are alike to their government, some Israeli's themselves have been protesting. Around 1,000 Israeli's lined the streets of Tel Aviv on July 16th voicing their opinions about the illegal strikes in Southern Lebanon. The citizens were heard chanting "Olmert agreed with Bush: War and Occupation", and calling for the international community to intervene. This is what must continue, the international community must be constantly reminded of what is happening in Lebanon. The media may forget and move on to a bigger story but we must never stop our efforts in helping the Lebanese cause.
I will leave you all with a quote by Ernest Hemingway - “Never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime.”
My love to all Lebanese and my prayers to those who have lost loved ones in this horrific military bombardment. Stay strong and be safe.
Israel's attack on Lebanese civilians is illegal...however it is a shame that the international community fail to see that. Israel's retaliation has caused pratically no Hezbollah militants to be killed....BUT in doing so have caused the death of hundreds of innocent Lebanese civilians including the elderly, women and children...
Israeli officials accused Syria and Iran of providing Lebanese guerrillas with sophisticated weapons, saying the missiles that hit Haifa had greater range and heavier warheads than those Hezbollah had fired before. I myself am half Iranian. I am not Lebanese, I am not Syrian, I am not Israeli, and I am not Palestinian. I have never been to Lebanon but I have heard amazing things about its people and their suffering. My heart goes out to them. My thoughts and prayers are with all those in Lebanon and will try my best to do what I can for its people.
All I have to say is, let go of political differences, let go of social differences, and let go of religious differences. We are all for the same cause, unite as one and do not let your support wane. Do not let this attack split the people, Israel attacking the Lebanese army and killing Lebanese soldier’s shows us ultimately their ulterior motive. The Israelis are provoking the Lebanese Army and it is clear they are trying to incite civil war...
The US staying "quiet" says it all; they are way over extended to deal with anything, what with having troops all across the Middle East in their "War on Terror", and in trying to dismantle the “Axis of Evil” as they call it.
The UN has yet again failed to do anything about this illegal attack as it did regarding Afghanistan AND Iraq.
Israel never answers to the UN and in my opinion never will. I believe they planned this whole attack. The US’s support was wavering and they were actually beginning to negotiate with Iran regarding Nuclear Weapons. The media coverage had moved away from Syria and Iran, and it looked as if diplomacy was working. It was a way to get America to take a second look by blaming Iran as well as Syria, and as a result has led to increased hatred across the world against the Israeli’s. It is no longer a war over "religion" or "race" it is a war over what is best for Israel's interests. They have compromised their own principles and even their own people’s faith in the government.
However, it is wrong to say that all Israeli’s are alike to their government, some Israeli's themselves have been protesting. Around 1,000 Israeli's lined the streets of Tel Aviv on July 16th voicing their opinions about the illegal strikes in Southern Lebanon. The citizens were heard chanting "Olmert agreed with Bush: War and Occupation", and calling for the international community to intervene. This is what must continue, the international community must be constantly reminded of what is happening in Lebanon. The media may forget and move on to a bigger story but we must never stop our efforts in helping the Lebanese cause.
I will leave you all with a quote by Ernest Hemingway - “Never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime.”
My love to all Lebanese and my prayers to those who have lost loved ones in this horrific military bombardment. Stay strong and be safe.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Beirut - Lebanon | July 19
If Israel is defending itself, how do you justify them defending an occupied land. I do realise that it was done in a wrong way, but after 50 plus years of occupation and holding prisoners one tends to resort to any way possible to be heard. Just like a person who has lost his arms will learn to survive using his legs. Its suffocating now.... fresh milk is not available now...
If Israel is defending itself, how do you justify them defending an occupied land. I do realise that it was done in a wrong way, but after 50 plus years of occupation and holding prisoners one tends to resort to any way possible to be heard. Just like a person who has lost his arms will learn to survive using his legs. Its suffocating now.... fresh milk is not available now...
Monday, July 31, 2006
Beirut - Lebanon | July 18
I am not here to blame anyone, I am not here to insult the guilty. I am here to ask for a favor, a favor that might change the history of a nation. Help, HELP is the favor I am asking for.
It is a word formed by four letters, but those four letters form a strong word.
One week ago, my friends and I were enjoying the calm sunny summer days in our beloved country. One week ago, I was spending my days with my friends who came from different countries to enjoy the summer in their country: LEBANON.
But what are we doing now?
Some of us are trying to find ways to leave to a safer place.
Some of us are hiding in the mountains, scared of the bombs and the aircrafts flying above our heads.
Some of us spends their nights, making themselves sleep while repeating to themselves "that are everything is going to be fine"
That in brief is what we are doing lately.
Where will this lead, what might become to us isn't what we are really thinking of right now. The only thing that is dominating our minds is "what might become to us right now" in two minutes, in an hour, tomorrow.
I am here to ask for a favor.
HELP US!
I am not here to blame anyone, I am not here to insult the guilty. I am here to ask for a favor, a favor that might change the history of a nation. Help, HELP is the favor I am asking for.
It is a word formed by four letters, but those four letters form a strong word.
One week ago, my friends and I were enjoying the calm sunny summer days in our beloved country. One week ago, I was spending my days with my friends who came from different countries to enjoy the summer in their country: LEBANON.
But what are we doing now?
Some of us are trying to find ways to leave to a safer place.
Some of us are hiding in the mountains, scared of the bombs and the aircrafts flying above our heads.
Some of us spends their nights, making themselves sleep while repeating to themselves "that are everything is going to be fine"
That in brief is what we are doing lately.
Where will this lead, what might become to us isn't what we are really thinking of right now. The only thing that is dominating our minds is "what might become to us right now" in two minutes, in an hour, tomorrow.
I am here to ask for a favor.
HELP US!
Monday, July 31, 2006
U. of Warwick |
England | July 19
It is hard to believe that any government could set out to destroy the infrastructure of one of its neighbours. This is an act of war to be seen as similar to Hitler's blitzkrieg against neighbouring states. I hope that all Western democrats and academics will line up to stop this disaster.
It is hard to believe that any government could set out to destroy the infrastructure of one of its neighbours. This is an act of war to be seen as similar to Hitler's blitzkrieg against neighbouring states. I hope that all Western democrats and academics will line up to stop this disaster.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Mexico | July 19
Israelis,
I am from Mexico, a big forgotten country.
I really wish you could come to this land and live in it, (a portion of the north) so you could stop fighting for that dessert. Please leave the Arabs alone. What use is a blooming dessert if your hearts are rotten?
I really hope the Arab people win this war. It is not good if a nobody like me rejoyces when a battleship of yours is blasted.
I can tell you, you cause me one of the gratest pains, which is impotence.
I have nothing but my thougts for the arab people.
You are bad, bad humans.
Israelis,
I am from Mexico, a big forgotten country.
I really wish you could come to this land and live in it, (a portion of the north) so you could stop fighting for that dessert. Please leave the Arabs alone. What use is a blooming dessert if your hearts are rotten?
I really hope the Arab people win this war. It is not good if a nobody like me rejoyces when a battleship of yours is blasted.
I can tell you, you cause me one of the gratest pains, which is impotence.
I have nothing but my thougts for the arab people.
You are bad, bad humans.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Canada | July 19
"...in-shalla..." ONE DAY I WILL COME TO LEBANON AND SEE HER BEAUTIFULL FACE,FEEL THE SOFT TOUCH OF HER OCEAN BREEZE AND WET MY LIPS WITH HER ICE COLD TEARS THAT COME ROLLING DOWN FROM HER PEAKS."...in-shalla..." I WILL BE BLESSED ONE DAY WITH A MOMENT OF INTIMACY, HER AND I ALONE.AS I GAZE INTO THE STARS AS IF THEY WHERE HER BRIGHT EYES AND BREATHE HER PINE SENTED AIR AS IF IT WERE HER BREATH."...in-shalla..." WHEN MY "ONE STEP CLOSER TO DEATH",
HAS BECOME MY LAST . SHE WOULD WRAP HERSELF AROUND ME EVER SO LOVINGLY AND I WOULD DISSOLVE INTO HER ROOTS SPROUTING INTO AN EAGER SAPLING. HER HEAVENLY RAINS AND WARM
SUNSHINE SMILES AND I WILL GROW TO BE TALL AND STRONG. FOREVER WILL I BE PROTECTED BY ALL WHO STAND WITH ME AND SEE ME."...in-shalla..." HER STRONG DARK ROOTED GREEN HAIR,WHICH IS KNOWN TO US AS THE "CEDARS"
"...in-shalla..." ONE DAY I WILL COME TO LEBANON AND SEE HER BEAUTIFULL FACE,FEEL THE SOFT TOUCH OF HER OCEAN BREEZE AND WET MY LIPS WITH HER ICE COLD TEARS THAT COME ROLLING DOWN FROM HER PEAKS."...in-shalla..." I WILL BE BLESSED ONE DAY WITH A MOMENT OF INTIMACY, HER AND I ALONE.AS I GAZE INTO THE STARS AS IF THEY WHERE HER BRIGHT EYES AND BREATHE HER PINE SENTED AIR AS IF IT WERE HER BREATH."...in-shalla..." WHEN MY "ONE STEP CLOSER TO DEATH",
HAS BECOME MY LAST . SHE WOULD WRAP HERSELF AROUND ME EVER SO LOVINGLY AND I WOULD DISSOLVE INTO HER ROOTS SPROUTING INTO AN EAGER SAPLING. HER HEAVENLY RAINS AND WARM
SUNSHINE SMILES AND I WILL GROW TO BE TALL AND STRONG. FOREVER WILL I BE PROTECTED BY ALL WHO STAND WITH ME AND SEE ME."...in-shalla..." HER STRONG DARK ROOTED GREEN HAIR,WHICH IS KNOWN TO US AS THE "CEDARS"
Monday, July 31, 2006
July 19
I know what am about to say has been said a million times but I will say it again until it has been clearly HEARD! The US and the international community MUST push for a ceasefire! This is a war; a war is about the killing and the destruction of HUMAN lives and dreams. I know for people living peacefully and far away from trouble these are plain words that are not concrete to them. I do not understand what law, what religion, what faith or convictions prioritize INTERESTS over the lives of human beings! I am disgusted and disappointed. WAKE UP! LOOK BEYOND YOUR RELIGION AND INTERSETS! STOP THIS NONSENSE!!! HELP SPREAD THE WORD...
I know what am about to say has been said a million times but I will say it again until it has been clearly HEARD! The US and the international community MUST push for a ceasefire! This is a war; a war is about the killing and the destruction of HUMAN lives and dreams. I know for people living peacefully and far away from trouble these are plain words that are not concrete to them. I do not understand what law, what religion, what faith or convictions prioritize INTERESTS over the lives of human beings! I am disgusted and disappointed. WAKE UP! LOOK BEYOND YOUR RELIGION AND INTERSETS! STOP THIS NONSENSE!!! HELP SPREAD THE WORD...
Monday, July 31, 2006
July 19
Il est temps pour une fois de ne plus chercher à comprendre ; il est temps de laisser en suspend les analyses ou les logiques pour se faire simple rapporteur des tourments qu’endure une fois de plus la communauté libanaise. A mes côtés mes proches souffrent et c’est pourquoi je souhaite devenir un maillon de cette chaîne de solidarité qui peine à voir le jour au niveau international, mais qui se manifeste tous les jours à nos côtés comme au côté des libanais.
Depuis le 12 juillet 2006, la diaspora libanaise retient son souffle. Chacun se demande jusqu’où va s’arrêter cette folie destructrice qu’un froid calcul politique a déclenché. Le drame se déroule devant les écrans. Pour un cœur en exil, il n’est rien de pire que de voir son pays détruit. La télévision reste avec internet la source principale d’information. Ouverts au monde, les libanais ont l’embarra du choix. Ils zappent volontiers entre les chaînes francophones comme TF1 ou TV5, anglophones, principalement CNN et arabophones comme LBC, Futur ou Al Jazira. Le salon devient rapidement une salle de rédaction où chaque dépêche déclenche une volée de coup de fils. On cherche à prévenir, à savoir, à comprendre.
Sur tous les visages, la gravité se lit à chaque flash d’information. Les actualités peuvent prendre différentes couleurs selon le média qui la transmet. Attention au contresens politique ou à l’approximation parfois scandaleuse avec laquelle sont traitées les informations. Amalgame, inconséquence ou partialité déclenchent de vives réactions. On est déçu de la prise de position de tel homme publique. On s’indigne qu’une communauté entière soit résumée par un seul mot : terrorisme. Enfin, on se demande pourquoi la mort a un impact différent en fonction de part et d’autre de la frontière ?
On cherche ensuite à contacter ses proches, à vérifier auprès d’eux que ce que l’on a vu n’est qu’un mauvais rêve, que finalement l’obus a tapé à côté, qu’il est tombé dans la mer. Au fil des jours, il devient de plus en plus difficile d’obtenir une ligne. Le réseau a été d’abord saturé, puis endommagé ; demain il sera détruit. Comment ferons-nous pour les contacter ? Lorsqu’un missile s’abat sur une antenne de cellulaire, se sont des centaines de milliers de voix qui sont réduites au silence. Lorsqu’un pilote, par erreur, largue sa bombe sur un hôpital, le silence fait place au néant. L’intervention serait pire que celle de 1982. Entre ces 24 ans, finalement très peu de choses ont changé. Le Liban saigne, ses ennemis s’acharnent, ses amis se défilent.
Lors des réunions de famille, on parle à demis mots du futur ; d’un avenir ? On évite de blâmer les autres, conscient que ces querelles ouvriraient la voie à la discorde, ce que le pays ne souhaite plus. On se persuade que le temps ne retournera pas en arrière jusqu’à cette date de 1975. Les libanais sont solidaires face aux périls et c’est cette solidarité qui donne espoir. Ces questions reviennent sans cesse ; combien de temps encore ? Que va-t-il rester du pays ? Qui pourra desserrer l’étau qui enserre le Liban ? On ne va pas plus loin car chaque phrase n’est que conjecture. La décision de guerre ou de paix a échappé aux libanais.
Des mots voilés sont employés à ne pas alarmer ceux qui se sont retrouvés coincés ici, à nos côtés, prisonniers du blocus et du morcellement du pays. Les plus chanceux sont en famille, mais d’autres ont été surpris en plein voyage. Il faut dire qu’il y a une semaine, la saison des festivals débutait comme chaque année. La trêve était proclamée, mais la tempête est venue d’une figure nationale, prenant tout le monde au dépourvu. Après cinq jours, on parle déjà de faillite, d’exode, d’immigration, de visas. Déjà on apprend que ceux qui le pouvaient ont quitté Beyrouth rejoignant les villages. Douze mille personnes ont fuit le sud.
Parmi les appels que l’on guette, il y a aussi tout ceux qui sonnent spontanément : « j’ai appris pour le Liban » ; « tu as des nouvelles de ta famille ? » ; « et ta femme ? »… La solidarité est grande et les amis se sentent concernés. Je ne suis pas encore allé aux manifestations de soutien qui s’organisent partout en France. Je ne doute pas que l’atmosphère y soit constructive.
Est-ce que ces considérations sont des banalités pour vous ? Evidemment elles me touchent personnellement, moi qui suis libanais de cœur. Moi qui ai profité de la chaleur et de l’accueil de ce peuple. Je pense aujourd’hui à la promenade que j’avais faite il y a quelques mois en descendant vers ce sud au littoral sauvage ; à la traversé des montagnes humbles et fières à la lisière de Marjayoun ; au repas de Mézzés pris sur le port de Sour. Je n’ose imaginer que cela ne soit plus. Chateaubriand, qui en son temps a fait le voyage d’Orient, décrivait ces peuples maudits « nés pour renverser et non pour fonder ». Le Liban se trouve sur le chemin de l’un de ces peuples et je ne peux me résoudre à l’idée que la folie des hommes est en train de réduire en cendres une Nation, un peuple, une identité.
Il est temps pour une fois de ne plus chercher à comprendre ; il est temps de laisser en suspend les analyses ou les logiques pour se faire simple rapporteur des tourments qu’endure une fois de plus la communauté libanaise. A mes côtés mes proches souffrent et c’est pourquoi je souhaite devenir un maillon de cette chaîne de solidarité qui peine à voir le jour au niveau international, mais qui se manifeste tous les jours à nos côtés comme au côté des libanais.
Depuis le 12 juillet 2006, la diaspora libanaise retient son souffle. Chacun se demande jusqu’où va s’arrêter cette folie destructrice qu’un froid calcul politique a déclenché. Le drame se déroule devant les écrans. Pour un cœur en exil, il n’est rien de pire que de voir son pays détruit. La télévision reste avec internet la source principale d’information. Ouverts au monde, les libanais ont l’embarra du choix. Ils zappent volontiers entre les chaînes francophones comme TF1 ou TV5, anglophones, principalement CNN et arabophones comme LBC, Futur ou Al Jazira. Le salon devient rapidement une salle de rédaction où chaque dépêche déclenche une volée de coup de fils. On cherche à prévenir, à savoir, à comprendre.
Sur tous les visages, la gravité se lit à chaque flash d’information. Les actualités peuvent prendre différentes couleurs selon le média qui la transmet. Attention au contresens politique ou à l’approximation parfois scandaleuse avec laquelle sont traitées les informations. Amalgame, inconséquence ou partialité déclenchent de vives réactions. On est déçu de la prise de position de tel homme publique. On s’indigne qu’une communauté entière soit résumée par un seul mot : terrorisme. Enfin, on se demande pourquoi la mort a un impact différent en fonction de part et d’autre de la frontière ?
On cherche ensuite à contacter ses proches, à vérifier auprès d’eux que ce que l’on a vu n’est qu’un mauvais rêve, que finalement l’obus a tapé à côté, qu’il est tombé dans la mer. Au fil des jours, il devient de plus en plus difficile d’obtenir une ligne. Le réseau a été d’abord saturé, puis endommagé ; demain il sera détruit. Comment ferons-nous pour les contacter ? Lorsqu’un missile s’abat sur une antenne de cellulaire, se sont des centaines de milliers de voix qui sont réduites au silence. Lorsqu’un pilote, par erreur, largue sa bombe sur un hôpital, le silence fait place au néant. L’intervention serait pire que celle de 1982. Entre ces 24 ans, finalement très peu de choses ont changé. Le Liban saigne, ses ennemis s’acharnent, ses amis se défilent.
Lors des réunions de famille, on parle à demis mots du futur ; d’un avenir ? On évite de blâmer les autres, conscient que ces querelles ouvriraient la voie à la discorde, ce que le pays ne souhaite plus. On se persuade que le temps ne retournera pas en arrière jusqu’à cette date de 1975. Les libanais sont solidaires face aux périls et c’est cette solidarité qui donne espoir. Ces questions reviennent sans cesse ; combien de temps encore ? Que va-t-il rester du pays ? Qui pourra desserrer l’étau qui enserre le Liban ? On ne va pas plus loin car chaque phrase n’est que conjecture. La décision de guerre ou de paix a échappé aux libanais.
Des mots voilés sont employés à ne pas alarmer ceux qui se sont retrouvés coincés ici, à nos côtés, prisonniers du blocus et du morcellement du pays. Les plus chanceux sont en famille, mais d’autres ont été surpris en plein voyage. Il faut dire qu’il y a une semaine, la saison des festivals débutait comme chaque année. La trêve était proclamée, mais la tempête est venue d’une figure nationale, prenant tout le monde au dépourvu. Après cinq jours, on parle déjà de faillite, d’exode, d’immigration, de visas. Déjà on apprend que ceux qui le pouvaient ont quitté Beyrouth rejoignant les villages. Douze mille personnes ont fuit le sud.
Parmi les appels que l’on guette, il y a aussi tout ceux qui sonnent spontanément : « j’ai appris pour le Liban » ; « tu as des nouvelles de ta famille ? » ; « et ta femme ? »… La solidarité est grande et les amis se sentent concernés. Je ne suis pas encore allé aux manifestations de soutien qui s’organisent partout en France. Je ne doute pas que l’atmosphère y soit constructive.
Est-ce que ces considérations sont des banalités pour vous ? Evidemment elles me touchent personnellement, moi qui suis libanais de cœur. Moi qui ai profité de la chaleur et de l’accueil de ce peuple. Je pense aujourd’hui à la promenade que j’avais faite il y a quelques mois en descendant vers ce sud au littoral sauvage ; à la traversé des montagnes humbles et fières à la lisière de Marjayoun ; au repas de Mézzés pris sur le port de Sour. Je n’ose imaginer que cela ne soit plus. Chateaubriand, qui en son temps a fait le voyage d’Orient, décrivait ces peuples maudits « nés pour renverser et non pour fonder ». Le Liban se trouve sur le chemin de l’un de ces peuples et je ne peux me résoudre à l’idée que la folie des hommes est en train de réduire en cendres une Nation, un peuple, une identité.
Monday, July 31, 2006
London - England | July 19
I am a Syrian engineer working in the UK. Like many young people, I was forced to leave my country seeking a better life. I have left behind my family, my friends, my neighborhood, and my memories. I do not know what I would do if I start to lose them!
My Lebanese friend was spending his honeymoon in Beirut with his British bride when the war struck. This is not about ideals, religions, countries, or interests. It is about people’s lives and their dreams.
Some people do not know what that means. Their lives and others’ lives are too cheap for them. We who enjoy life drive them mad because we show them that their life is meaningless.
Please demonstrate against war raising LEBANON FLAGS ONLY. It is the only symbol for joy, for love of life, and for resilience in this crazy war.
I am a Syrian engineer working in the UK. Like many young people, I was forced to leave my country seeking a better life. I have left behind my family, my friends, my neighborhood, and my memories. I do not know what I would do if I start to lose them!
My Lebanese friend was spending his honeymoon in Beirut with his British bride when the war struck. This is not about ideals, religions, countries, or interests. It is about people’s lives and their dreams.
Some people do not know what that means. Their lives and others’ lives are too cheap for them. We who enjoy life drive them mad because we show them that their life is meaningless.
Please demonstrate against war raising LEBANON FLAGS ONLY. It is the only symbol for joy, for love of life, and for resilience in this crazy war.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Lebanon | July 18
Reading the above opinions, I realize I am not the only one voicing my frustration about those recent events.
I quote: "In this world there are two types of evil people, those who do evil and those who see evil but don't do anything about it."
So that is why we must take action. Now I will not voice my opinion here because the above articles have already done so. But if we want to wait for the political figures to do something then WITH ALL MY RESPECT we will get nowhere. NOWHERE.
They have been elected to serve their country so why do we expect them to do something about ours? Anyway our downfall is important so that they can stay powerful and control our lives. Wow, that boring geography lesson three years ago actually serves me well now.
Now, I am by no means politically oriented… politics actually gives me a headache and bird gabber is more comprehensible to me then politics. However, this does not mean that I can tolerate seeing them sit around mahogany tables, sharing jokes and splurging on hors d'oeuvres while the Lebanese are seeking refuge and food.
Who are they kidding?
As one anonymous author said: War does not determine who is right, but what is left.
Reading the above opinions, I realize I am not the only one voicing my frustration about those recent events.
I quote: "In this world there are two types of evil people, those who do evil and those who see evil but don't do anything about it."
So that is why we must take action. Now I will not voice my opinion here because the above articles have already done so. But if we want to wait for the political figures to do something then WITH ALL MY RESPECT we will get nowhere. NOWHERE.
They have been elected to serve their country so why do we expect them to do something about ours? Anyway our downfall is important so that they can stay powerful and control our lives. Wow, that boring geography lesson three years ago actually serves me well now.
Now, I am by no means politically oriented… politics actually gives me a headache and bird gabber is more comprehensible to me then politics. However, this does not mean that I can tolerate seeing them sit around mahogany tables, sharing jokes and splurging on hors d'oeuvres while the Lebanese are seeking refuge and food.
Who are they kidding?
As one anonymous author said: War does not determine who is right, but what is left.
Monday, July 31, 2006
July 18
I am a Lebanese-American who was born in Latin America. I am shocked at Israel's barbarism and I am certain that this disproportionate response was meant to cripple Lebanon more than to punish Hizballah.
I want to say that I am, for the first time in my life, fighting back. I have been calling my senators and representative, and I urge everyone to do the same. IMMEDIATELY.
No matter what one's thoughts on Hizballah, we must realize that Lebanon and the Lebanese have no friends. Not Syria, not the USA, not France, and certainly not the remaining Arab states. We need to help one another and we need to send a strong message to Israel (and everyone else for that matter): We will not be silent, in Lebanon or abroad.
Oh yeah, and one more thing. This time around, when we rebuild, it will be better than last time.
I am a Lebanese-American who was born in Latin America. I am shocked at Israel's barbarism and I am certain that this disproportionate response was meant to cripple Lebanon more than to punish Hizballah.
I want to say that I am, for the first time in my life, fighting back. I have been calling my senators and representative, and I urge everyone to do the same. IMMEDIATELY.
No matter what one's thoughts on Hizballah, we must realize that Lebanon and the Lebanese have no friends. Not Syria, not the USA, not France, and certainly not the remaining Arab states. We need to help one another and we need to send a strong message to Israel (and everyone else for that matter): We will not be silent, in Lebanon or abroad.
Oh yeah, and one more thing. This time around, when we rebuild, it will be better than last time.