8/11 Middle East Live Thread

By the way, I want to make it clear that I do hold Olmert primarily responsible for this. I hope beyond hope that he gets thrown out of office soon. For the sake of Israel and freedom-loving people around the world, I'd like to see Bibi come back.

That didn't mention the kidnapped Israeli soldiers at all...it also didn't mention Hezbollah at all.

What a crock!

Well...that is two things we definitely agree on.

Olmert is not a man. Graffiti was seen in Israel stating, "Olmert, the job is bigger than you are." Because it is. He is nothing more than a cowardly paper pushing bureaucrat.

As for the US behavior in this fiasco, we did no better. This whole affair leads me to believe that Bush is not fighting a war on terror; he is fighting a war against Al Qaida. Why else would he ignore Hizbullah, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad?

The one thing I'd disagree with you on is the part where you say Israel did all it could. If Bibi had been in power instead of Olmert, Israel would have been quite a bit stronger in its response. So while I don't think the US did its part, that doesn't mean I think Israel did the best job it could have.

You are right though that this is all free people's war. :) I'm glad you see where I'm coming from.

http://corner.nationalreview.com/

However... [John Podhoretz]

...Olmert is still toast. My nephew, who is a veteran of the Israeli army but has not been called up because he's here in the States for a few months, writes:

"I can't believe he's doing this. I cannot believe we are once again running from Lebanon with our tails between our legs. Olmert's picture will now appear in the dictionary next to the word 'coward.'"

This will be a very common opinion across the political spectrum.

It was designed to be an operation to end the rocket fire and get the soliders back. Since the Israeli govt had no desire to occupy Lebanon with 40000+ troops, having the UN put 15K in there and having the rockets stop after pounding Hezbollah for a month was a deal they'd take.

Anyone care to start a poll as to when the rockets begin flying over the heads of Unifil and the "Lebanese Army"???

They'll stand around and remark to each other that it sure is strange that meteors are going up rather than coming down!

exactly right. the hezzies are going to claim israel agreed to a unilateral ceasefire.

1. Calls for a full cessation of hostilities based upon, in particular, the immediate cessation by Hizbollah of all attacks and the immediate cessation by Israel of all offensive military operations;

2. Upon full cessation of hostilities, calls upon the government of Lebanon and UNIFIL (The U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon) as authorized by paragraph 11 to deploy their forces together throughout the south and calls upon the government of Israel, as that deployment begins, to withdraw all of its forces from southern Lebanon in parallel;

3. Emphasizes the importance of the extension of the control of the government of Lebanon over all Lebanese territory in accordance with the provisions of resolution 1559 (2004) and resolution 1680 (2006), and of the relevant provisions of the Taif Accords, for it to exercise its full sovereignty, so that there will be no weapons without the consent of the government of Lebanon and no authority other than that of the government of Lebanon;

4. Reiterates its strong support for full respect for the Blue Line (separating Israel and Lebanon);

5. Also reiterates its strong support, as recalled in all its previous relevant resolutions, for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon within its internationally recognized borders, as contemplated by the Israeli-Lebanese General Armistice Agreement of 23 March 1949;

6. Calls on the international community to take immediate steps to extend its financial and humanitarian assistance to the Lebanese people, including through facilitating the safe return of displaced persons and, under the authority of the government of Lebanon, reopening airports and harbors, consistent with paragraphs 14 and 15, and calls on it also to consider further assistance in the future to contribute to the reconstruction and development of Lebanon;

7. Affirms that all parties are responsible for ensuring that no action is taken contrary to paragraph 1 that might adversely affect the search for a long-term solution, humanitarian access to civilian populations, including safe passage for humanitarian convoys, or the voluntary and safe return of displaced persons, and calls on all parties to comply with this responsibility and to cooperate with the Security Council;

8. Calls for Israel and Lebanon to support a permanent cease-fire and a long-term solution based on the following principles and elements:

— full respect for the Blue Line by both parties,

— security arrangements to prevent the resumption of hostilities, including the establishment between the Blue Line and the Litani River of an area free of any armed personnel, assets and weapons other than those of the government of Lebanon and of UNIFIL as authorized in paragraph 11, deployed in this area,

— full implementation of the relevant provisions of the Taif Accords, and of resolutions 1559 (2004) and 1680 (2006), that require the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon, so that, pursuant to the Lebanese cabinet decision of July 27, 2006, there will be no weapons or authority in Lebanon other than that of the Lebanese state,

— no foreign forces in Lebanon without the consent of its government,

— no sales or supply of arms and related materiel to Lebanon except as authorized by its government,

— provision to the United Nations of all remaining maps of land mines in Lebanon in Israel's possession;

1. Calls for a full cessation of hostilities based upon, in particular, the immediate cessation by Hizbollah of all attacks and the immediate cessation by Israel of all offensive military operations;

2. Upon full cessation of hostilities, calls upon the government of Lebanon and UNIFIL (The U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon) as authorized by paragraph 11 to deploy their forces together throughout the south and calls upon the government of Israel, as that deployment begins, to withdraw all of its forces from southern Lebanon in parallel;

3. Emphasizes the importance of the extension of the control of the government of Lebanon over all Lebanese territory in accordance with the provisions of resolution 1559 (2004) and resolution 1680 (2006), and of the relevant provisions of the Taif Accords, for it to exercise its full sovereignty, so that there will be no weapons without the consent of the government of Lebanon and no authority other than that of the government of Lebanon;

4. Reiterates its strong support for full respect for the Blue Line (separating Israel and Lebanon);

5. Also reiterates its strong support, as recalled in all its previous relevant resolutions, for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon within its internationally recognized borders, as contemplated by the Israeli-Lebanese General Armistice Agreement of 23 March 1949; 6. Calls on the international community to take immediate steps to extend its financial and humanitarian assistance to the Lebanese people, including through facilitating the safe return of displaced persons and, under the authority of the government of Lebanon, reopening airports and harbors, consistent with paragraphs 14 and 15, and calls on it also to consider further assistance in the future to contribute to the reconstruction and development of Lebanon; 7. Affirms that all parties are responsible for ensuring that no action is taken contrary to paragraph 1 that might adversely affect the search for a long-term solution, humanitarian access to civilian populations, including safe passage for humanitarian convoys, or the voluntary and safe return of displaced persons, and calls on all parties to comply with this responsibility and to cooperate with the Security Council;

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8. Calls for Israel and Lebanon to support a permanent cease-fire and a long-term solution based on the following principles and elements:

— full respect for the Blue Line by both parties,

— security arrangements to prevent the resumption of hostilities, including the establishment between the Blue Line and the Litani River of an area free of any armed personnel, assets and weapons other than those of the government of Lebanon and of UNIFIL as authorized in paragraph 11, deployed in this area,

— full implementation of the relevant provisions of the Taif Accords, and of resolutions 1559 (2004) and 1680 (2006), that require the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon, so that, pursuant to the Lebanese cabinet decision of July 27, 2006, there will be no weapons or authority in Lebanon other than that of the Lebanese state,

— no foreign forces in Lebanon without the consent of its government,

— no sales or supply of arms and related materiel to Lebanon except as authorized by its government,

— provision to the United Nations of all remaining maps of land mines in Lebanon in Israel's possession;

. Monitor the cessation of hostilities;

b. Accompany and support the Lebanese armed forces as they deploy throughout the south, including along the Blue Line, as Israel withdraws its armed forces from Lebanon as provided in paragraph 2;

c. Coordinate its activities related to paragraph 11 (b) with the government of Lebanon and the government of Israel;

d. Extend its assistance to help ensure humanitarian access to civilian populations and the voluntary and safe return of displaced persons;

e. Assist the Lebanese armed forces in taking steps towards the establishment of the area as referred to in paragraph 8;

f. Assist the government of Lebanon, at its request, to implement paragraph 14;

12. Acting in support of a request from the government of Lebanon to deploy an international force to assist it to exercise its authority throughout the territory, authorizes UNIFIL to take all necessary action in areas of deployment of its forces and as it deems within its capabilities, to ensure that its area of operations is not utilized for hostile activities of any kind, to resist attempts by forceful means to prevent it from discharging its duties under the mandate of the Security Council, and to protect United Nations personnel, facilities, installations and equipment, ensure the security and freedom of movement of United Nations personnel, humanitarian workers, and, without prejudice to the responsibility of the government of Lebanon, to protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence;

13. Requests the secretary general urgently to put in place measures to ensure UNIFIL is able to carry out the functions envisaged in this resolution, urges member states to consider making appropriate contributions to UNIFIL and to respond positively to requests for assistance from the force, and expresses its strong appreciation to those who have contributed to UNIFIL in the past;

14. Calls upon the government of Lebanon to secure its borders and other entry points to prevent the entry in Lebanon without its consent of arms or related materiel and requests UNIFIL as authorized in paragraph 11 to assist the government of Lebanon at its request;

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15. Decides further that all states shall take the necessary measures to prevent, by their nationals or from their territories or using their flag vessels or aircraft,

(b) the provision to any entity or individual in Lebanon of any technical training or assistance related to the provision, manufacture, maintenance or use of the items listed in subparagraph (a) above,

except that these prohibitions shall not apply to arms, related material, training or assistance authorized by the government of Lebanon or by UNIFIL as authorized in paragraph 11;

16. Decides to extend the mandate of UNIFIL until 31 August 2007, and expresses its intention to consider in a later resolution further enhancements to the mandate and other steps to contribute to the implementation of a permanent cease-fire and a long-term solution;

17. Requests the secretary-general to report to the council within one week on the implementation of this resolution and subsequently on a regular basis;

18. Stresses the importance of, and the need to achieve, a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East, based on all its relevant resolutions including its resolutions 242 (1967) of 22 November 1967 and 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973;

19. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

Freepmail

That's kind of the way I see it too. (Minus your comments on Bush fighting a war against AQ instead of all terror.) Israel didn't do its part. We didn't do our part. Perhaps if one had done its part, then the other would have done its part too. Sadly, we'll never know.This whole thing is beyond depressing.

and then what? israel wants it to end here, they had 3 weeks to mount a major ground operation - we were all here every night begging them to go in force - they do not want to do it.

GOOD....so far, that is the only good news.

Bibi did well...he didn't pull a Kerry and blast Olmert...he let Olmert bury himself.

Bibi better be in power there soon...because the soldiers are NOT in the resolution. Who is going to get them back??

The Hezzies weren't in the resolution....who is gonna take care of them??

The Israeli troops were used as pawns in a coward's game of politics...who is going to lead them??

If that happens, then the whole thing will start up again, only this time, Olmert and Kadima will be gone and Israel will have much better leadership.

Olmert is going to blame Bush for "making us stop". watch. just like the US Dems, whatever happens - "blame Bush" is the solution.

YNET NEWS:

Foreign Ministry: Operation aimed at enabling Lebanese army to take over

A spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem said that the continuation of the Israel Defense Forces operation in Lebanon is aimed at paving the way for the Lebanese army to take over the area.

Earlier it was reported that the IDF will continue its operation in southern Lebanon in spite of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's decision to recommend on Sunday that the government accept the UN ceasefire agreement. (AP)

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/1,7340,L-3289907,00.html

What a mess, huh?

Calls on the international community for reconstruction.....

International community? Thats us....right?

Since when did Israeli sons and daughters die to secure land for an Arab government to move its troops in..

Talk about crazy..

I'm in shock I think. I can only imagine...what the citizens of Israel are thinking..

The ramifications of this will be with us for a long, long time.

To every #$%^%$# lib who wants us to negotiate in a broad way with our friends in the international community, who want multi-lateral discussions to reach consensus and agreements...you've dug us a pit..