cartoon o’ the day: Lebanon ceacefire

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Israel go home

from Latuff via Cold Desert

21 thoughts on “cartoon o’ the day: Lebanon ceacefire”

  1. The angry IDF man, the french traffic cop, the smiling terrorist with a hidden agenda. This sums it all up too well.

  2. @Steven_L:
    More than a month of Israeli war on Lebanon, more than 1000 Lebanese civilians killed, 1000’s of Lebanese wounded, 1000,000 civilians displaced, 100’s of buildings (exact number not known yet) razed to ground in Beirut and in the South of Lebanon. Did I mention that the whole Lebanese coast was polluted by fuel oil?

    Now, as it appears to us, Hezbollah has remained as strong as it ever was. Despite all this atrocious war, Israel failed to return the 2 captured soldiers and they also failed to invade Lebanon and reach Litani river.

    IMO, Israel has destroyed Lebanon and lost the war.

  3. I don’t think there are any civilian winners here Ahmad. Lebanon was a few years away from joining the European Economic Area, thats is set back at least 5 years if not 15.

    I do think however that these Hizbollah fighters are just unemployed young men indoctrinated by hatred of Israel. I think that the Ayatollahs will be smiling about the destruction and increased hatred of Israel, more recruits for their ‘holy’ war.

    The best thing Lebanon can do is lobby the EU in one voice for urgent aid and assistance to start rebuilding and get EU projects up and running again. If the fighting starts again in the next 5 years your country will just be plunged further back towards ruin.

    The EU is rich enough to get things moving quickly, there are lots of unemployed lebanese. I’d happily have some of my taxes being spent on it.

    My fear is that this will escalate towards a NATO v Iran war. This will overspill into Iraq and full scale civil war there. If Iran get nukes though and become untouchable Lebanon and Syria could become a front line in a new West / Middle East border.

    Ask yourself, would you rather Lebanon followed the path of Turkey or Iraq?

    Any extra support for Hizbollah in Lebanon in USA / NATO eyes is support for Iran. In US neo-conservative eyes that is support for the enemy. Lebanon, Hizbollah, Syria, Iraq and Iran put together cannot stop the swings and roundabouts of US politics (neo-con to neo-liberal). Lebanon cannot stop Russian and Chinese arms sales to the Middle East. You are powerless to prevent the swings and roundabouts of war on the middle east and the resulting fluctuations in the world markets.

    In the EU you can live peaceful lives and ride the storms. That is what I want for Lebanon and Turkey, EU membership. Seeing what I have seen just makes me want it more than ever.

    We have had war in Western Europe since the beginning of our history. After WW2 we agreed ‘never again’. Eastern Europe is joining the club,Turkey is going to, I believe Lebanon can join too.

    For all the political claptrap and shit we put up woth from the EU, seeing what I have been seeing on the news everyday reminds me why a single Europe was started.

    As for Hizbollah – they want war!

  4. Why dispite a patch or farmland with Israel when you were working towards the freedom of Europe for all Lebanese?

  6. I’m lucky enough never to have seen war first hand. Don’t let it poison you into hatred of Jews or Israelis, try to see the hatred they are surrounded by from their side. All the pictures we see on our news make what Israel have done look completely disproprtionate; I would say it is as well.

    They do have the right to fight back when attacked though and it was a militant wing of anorganisation you allow in your parliament that attacked them.

    If I were you I’d want Hizbollah outlawed. Your governments call for Hizbollah prisoners to be released is weak.

    The Lebanese should find the strength to condemn Hizbollah as well as the current Israeli governments response.

    If you, the majority, turn around to Hizbollah and tell them you want the Israeli soliders released immediately with no trade offs what can they do? They are relying for your support on war you cannot win and do not need to fight.

    Europe is a beautiful contient full of opportunity. You know whar War is first hand now Ahmad. Everyone in the UK knows someone who fought Hitler, people who liberated the Nazi concentration camps etc. We know what war is too.

    With Hizbollah in their current form and with representation in your government I would not want your country in the EU.

    You sound like the sort of person I would enjoy sharing my house with.

  7. Steven,
    There was a “National Dialogue” in Lebanon to discuss many internal issues. All the politicians in Lebanon including the leadership of Hezbollah were participating in this dialogue. Among the many issues discussed were the occupied Chebaa Farms and the disarming Hezbollah. Unfortunately, while the dialogue was still in process, Hezbollah kidnapped two Israeli soldiers and Israel started “destroying” Lebanon.

    In my opinion, now it is even more difficult to convince Hezbollah about giving up their arms, because Israel just showed how much it is willing to attack us. Some would argue that it is enough that Lebanon cannot defend its sky and its coast, should it give up defending its land? It seems that the National Resistance (currently Hezbollah) is the only way to defend land.

    Personally, I can describe myself as one of the apolitical people in Lebanon (where everyone claims to be a political analyst). I don’t read more than the news headlines and I don’t support any political party. I just want to live my life peacefully if at all possible. I am starting to give up this naïve dream in Lebanon because since all my life in Lebanon is filled with wars, 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon, 1996 Israeli operation against Lebanon, the 2006 Israeli invasion of Lebanon, add to all these the Lebanese civil war! So I would be very wise if I just pack my bag and leave.

    Regarding Lebanon being part of EU, no one ever heard anything about that here. I would appreciate it if you can provide me with a source about this issue.

  8. There is nothing formalised yet, however if you look at the history of European expansion the EU project work that was being carried out in Lebanon (one of my ex-colleagues was there when this started working on integrating your food and agricultural laws with those of the EU in order to help your main exports; foodstuffs and tobacco) it all suggests that once Turkey comes in (which is in the pipeline) the scene was set for Lebanon to (this involves harmonisation of your laws and adoption of the European Charter on Human Hights, human rights being the current sticking point with Turkey).

    Here is a link about EU project work with Lebanon

    http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/lebanon/intro/index.htm

    I quote from this document:

    ‘The security situation in South Lebanon is fragile due to the simmering conflict at the frontier and the fact that the government has declined international appeals to deploy its army at the border, allowing Hezbullah to fill the security vacuum. The Hezbullah justifies its ‘resistance activity’ on the basis of Israeli occupation since the 1967 war of 12 square kilometres of land known as the Shebaa farms, which Israel regards as Syrian and therefore part of the occupied Golan whereas Lebanon claims that the farms are part of its territory.

    ‘Israeli troops withdrew from South Lebanon in May 2000. The UN ruled that UNSCR 425 had been implemented but Lebanon considered that the withdrawal of Israeli forces was incomplete as it did not include the Shebaa farms area in the South-East. Lebanon rejects the UN demarcation line as the international frontier with Israel.’

    12 Square Kilometres for Gods sake! It makes me sick.

    You want to hear some quotes from Hizbullahs friend in Iran today?

    ‘”Aside from the humiliation it (Zionist regime) received as a result of its failure to achieve its military objectives, the myth of the regime’s military invincibility has been destroyed thanks to the the enduring faith and resistance of Lebanon’s Hezbollah,” he said. “Henceforth, all power equations in the region will witness a change,”

    From http://www.president.ir/eng/

    Iran is surrounded by NATO troops Ahmad. I know Bush and Israel sound equally as bad to someone like yourself stuck in the middle of it but the truth is they are all using you as a pawn in a game of chess. The pieces that they want to take are not 12km of farmland. However that 12km of farmland is an important square for him to have one of his pieces on. Lebanon is not even a player in this game. It is a small farming country, that’s what makes it so sickening to me.

    The big players are USA, Europe, Russia and China. Europe is the only one of those players founded on a peace agreement between waring nations. Iran in just another square and the Ayatollahs regieme another piece.

    The trap that is now set for lebanon by the players is that the people of Lebanon unite in support of Hezbollah, causing more mayhem against Israeli interests and escalating the Arab Israeli conflict. This would help the US neo-cons gain political support at home for further UN or even unilateral action against Iran, this would push Iran further on the offensive both through Hezbollah and through insurgencies in Iraq. In Iraq rival insurgencies sponsored by Iran and Syria are fighting for political and militant control. They unite against the common enemy of Israel. Russia will benefit from a USA war against Iran becuase they are net exporters of gas and oil. China and Russia flood the Middle East through with arms and benefit through sales. Control of the oil supply in Iraq and Iran for the Americans would offset OPEC control of price. In the oil driven western economies influence over the price of oil is in the interests of national security and economic wellbeing.

    Russia and China a relatively new players in this game (well the same game but under new rules, US rules) Russia could not feed it’s people and feared public uprising, China wants to expand and challenge the USA’s status as the only economic superpower. The world revolves around money Ahmad.

    From the USA’s point of view they have a huge generation of baby boomers (born after WW”) about to retire that need pensions. The stock market crash following September 11th threatens the political stablility and economic wellbeing of the USA.

    Also it is worth noting that none of the 3 big nuclear superpowers will ever go to war with each other on their own soil. Look at the Korean War, Vietnam, The Russian invasion of Afghanistan and the Iraq Iran war. These were all cold war USA v USSR by proxy. USA won v communism, now it has to fight a trade war on it’s imposed terms.

    The solution for Lebanon? The move in this game where you can spoil the game plan? If you all stood out on the street tomorrow (well nayone that is not caring for the sick and wounded) holding up an EU flag and a sign saying ‘Europe save us from war’. If you all kept doing it every day until our media were there like swarms filming you all and the images of dying children. We’d all cry out little hearts out and empty our pockets.

    But thats not the gameplan and Lebanon isn’t a player. If I were you and you can I’d get out.

  9. Try to remember, just because we (the UK) stop playing doesn’t mean anyone else will, we have mouths to feed too and we need US intelligence to defend out country. If push came to shove we are as vulnerable as the next country against the superpowers.

    Try to look at like that, a game of chess you are caught in the middle of. Iran and Syrian are squares, their regiemes pieces. They are not players. Try to look at the players as USA, Europe, Russia and China. You have to pick a side to be on. I’d choose Europe, we know the horrors of war, we were formed as an agreement never again to war with each other and we are a liberal tolerant and free society.

  10. If you’re using US intelligence, god help you. Bush certainly has no use for it, sending the reports back multiple times until they say what he wants.

    I agree that Lebanon should work towards membership in the EU, but not for the rather distasteful reasons that Steven lists, the rather thuggish: “Join our gang, we can protect you. We won’t destroy our friends when we come to your village”.

    I support it because, until the recent attacks, Lebanon was easily the most cosmopolitan and egalitarian countries in the entire region. They have a diverse population base and had been successfully turning Hezbollah from pure fighters to government workers and civil servants, although the process was taking some time. Lebanon’s culture is what makes EU membership an opportunity for Lebanon and for the EU. They could use a foothold in the region, and if other countries see the benefits, they may emulate Lebanon.

  11. It’s just the way it is raincoaster, I don’t make the rules, I don’t move the pieces.

    As for you last paragraph raincoaster, maybe this had something to do with EU project work??? What has the USA, Russia or China (or sit on the fence and slagof the yanks even though they are the ones that we own our unique defencive po sition and absolutely safety during the war on terror to CANADA) ever done for Lebanon?

    I reiterate – the whole ‘raison de etre’ of the integration of French and German coal and steel markets (the ball that got the EU rolling) was that they must never again go to war with each other. This is what the EU is about. Yes we argue, we argue, we tear our hair out, we curse each other but we do not resort to war.

    The sorry Lebanon affair reminds us why the EU is important.

  12. PS. I still think Iran is going to get it.

    ‘During Exercise Northern Edge 2006 in Alaska in early June, the F-22 proved its mettle against as many as 40 “enemy aircraft” during simulated battles. The Raptor achieved a 108-to-zero kill ratio at that exercise.’

    That plane is the dogs bollocks raincoaster and there is a window of a good few years now whilst there is nothing to stand in its way.

  15. No but judging the 108-0 kill ratio it could trash the Iranian air force in about 48 hours. Anyway, just what ‘enemy’ do you reckon they were simulating? The Russian air force? The Indian air force? The RAF?

    People like you and I can’t stop the future happening raincoaster, but when you’re skint and got debts to pay it is important to try and predict what is going to happen so you are financially prepared.

    Talking of money, guess what, my oldemployer wants me to come back and are offering me a extra £7k .

    Same old shit, they make out they are doing you the favour giving you the crap job, when you leave they beg you to come back.

    I might take it.

  16. I’d take the job dude–you’re spending waaay too much time over here.

    Me too come to think of it … and I’m at work!

    Re. the F-22. I disagree with Raincoaster about the advantages of toys, but toys do require massive support infrastructure.

    Still though, I’d be very wary of accepting as gospel any report emanating from a place where the White House wants us to believe that the Facile–Sorry, I mean Missile–Defence Shield is a success.

  17. Steven, you’re starting to scare me. I’d rather die penniless than be complicit in an unjust war just to protect my bank account. This is cold-blooded malevolence.

    I don’t fear the future, and I don’t intend to stop it. I intend and attempt to facilitate it. We have different visions of the future, though.

    As Oscar Wilde said, “we are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”

  18. I don’t mind dying penniless, its what happens between now and then I’m bothered about. All I’m saying is that you must be mindful of the future.

    Democracy is an illusion rainocaster, freedom a reality.

  21. That’s not anarchy, Steven. There are anarcho-capitalists, like Guido Fawkes. They’re somewhat to the right of Libertarians. Then there are anarchal communists like me, off to the left of Karl Marx. We believe that the best possible form of government is none and the best possible form of property is public.

    Anarchy as a word has been perverted. Read up on it; use Wikipedia if all else fails.

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