Very worrying - Middle east

[janaage]

Israel are really going to town on this one.  Involving the Lebanon could be a huge mistake.  Surely other Arab countries won't be too happy about this development.  

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/5175160.stm

The consequences of this could be huge.  Just hope we don't get involved, especially on Israel's side, even if America do.

[quinnismyhero]

Keep well away.  I worked in Israel earlier this year for 3 months - was glad to get out

[Dazzza]

If Israel start mucking about with Lebanon there's a good chance the Iranians are going to get involved, which is going to get very messy indeed.

They’re heading for a world of trouble and about to open Pandoras box but this time they're not going to get it closed again.

[janaage]

Exactly Dazzza, this could have dire consequences if this issue isn't resolved asap.  

I think we need to be very sympathetic to the Lebanon/Palestine as if we are seen to turn a blind eye to the Israelli agression the Arab world will not be too impressed.  Time to get tough with Israel and make them realise what a dangerous game they are playing.

[Foggy]

The trouble is that Blair is just a puppet on a string for Bush to play with , This is not something that we need to get involved with (on a militarty front ) Israel need to be put back on their leash before all hell breaks loose. For years the Israelies have bleated on about being a persecuted nation and now they are doing the self same thing to the Palestinians . Live and let live .

[McLovin]

As Israel is terrorising smaller countries with less defences, shouldn't the world powers be having a quiet, yet forceful word with them by now?

I vote for a war on Israel.

[Dorset Red]

As Israel is terrorising smaller countries with less defences, shouldn't the world powers be having a quiet, yet forceful word with them by now?

I vote for a war on Israel.

They are already in breach of UN Resolutions. Trouble is, as long as they are funded by the USA who is going to stand up to them?

People often ask why the Arab nations haven't rallied around. I'd just point people in the direction of Yom Kippur and the 6 days war. They tried it once and got well and truly hammered for their trouble. They have sat squarely on their hands ever since!

[McLovin]

I don't understand how their involvement with the US makes them immune. It's just wrong.

[janaage]

Don't it make you angry, to think we the people of this land get tarnished with the same brush as Bush and Blair.

I don't want to be associated with their actions.

[Foggy]

As Israel is terrorising smaller countries with less defences, shouldn't the world powers be having a quiet, yet forceful word with them by now?

I vote for a war on Israel.

They are already in breach of UN Resolutions. Trouble is, as long as they are funded by the USA who is going to stand up to them?

Good point,but then surely it is up to the UN to intervene/mediate/peacekeep ? If Israel fail to comply then i cant see how US intervention on their side can be justified by Bush or Blair.

[pauld]

Rather than hammering Israel (although they should be well and truly slapped for their violation of human rights where it occurs) if you want to look for the destablising forces in the region, look to Syria and Iran who are both heavy backers of both Hamas and Hezbollah. If you look at where the current crisis started, it began with first Hamas kidnapping an Israeli soldier in the South, then Hezbollah following suit to the North. The Israeli response, especially in Gaza, has been disgracefully disproportionate, but neither of the initial kidnappings which started this off could have taken place without the tacit approval of the Syrians at least. Who incidentally have been destabilising the Lebanon for years, long before the Israeli intervention.

[quinnismyhero]

Rather than hammering Israel (although they should be well and truly slapped for their violation of human rights where it occurs) if you want to look for the destablising forces in the region, look to Syria and Iran who are both heavy backers of both Hamas and Hezbollah. If you look at where the current crisis started, it began with first Hamas kidnapping an Israeli soldier in the South, then Hezbollah following suit to the North. The Israeli response, especially in Gaza, has been disgracefully disproportionate, but neither of the initial kidnappings which started this off could have taken place without the tacit approval of the Syrians at least. Who incidentally have been destabilising the Lebanon for years, long before the Israeli intervention.

That is a very rational summary of the situation and I agree

[Piemonte]

Too rational for my taste.

Nuke em all, thats what I say.

[Cookie]

The situation started in the late 40's I thought with the systematic removal of palestinians from their homeland??

[Cookie]

I apologise for my ignorance.

"The first wave of modern immigration to Israel, or Aliyah (עלייה) started in 1881 as Jews fled persecution, or followed the Socialist Zionist ideas of Moses Hess and others of "redemption of the soil". Jews bought land from Ottoman and individual Arab landholders. After Jews established agricultural settlements, tensions erupted between the Jews and Arabs."

Thank you Wikipedia.

Also sorry to digress.