Israel vs. Hezbollah

We can all tell what side Shirley Groves is on [Letters, “Lebanon leanings,” Aug. 3], but she is obviously getting the facts from the wrong sources. The Shaba farms have always been part of Syria. Israel acknowledges this, and so does the UN Security Council. Israel has always agreed to return it, but Syria has stalled in requesting it. Lebanon never had any ownership of the area.

Those “Lebanese prisoners of war” are terrorists. Firstly, no one considers this a war. Secondly, with the exception of the Arab states, nobody seems to care about the prisoners. This whole thing started with Hezbollah capturing two Israeli soldiers only to demand prisoners from Israeli jails to be released. If some terrorist group captured two Canadian soldiers, would you want criminals in Canadian jails released? They did it once, they’ll do it again.

Hezbollah is no country. It can’t demand anything. Very few countries would even speak to Hezbollah because they are branded as a terrorist organization. Most of Europe won’t talk to them. Neither would Canada or the U.S. As for Hezbollah’s “resistance,” they have never been part of any country. Not Lebanon. Not Syria. How can they resist? They occupy a chunk of Lebanon that they shouldn’t. The Lebanese government is too weak to toss out these terrorists—or maybe they just don’t care. They probably don’t, as all they care about is a ceasefire and not a proper end to this conflict. If they were strong, they would have pushed Hezbollah out of southern Lebanon.

While I agree that there has been too much killing on both sides, you also have to remember that Israel has bomb shelters in most buildings, as required by law—hence, fewer deaths. As for Lebanon, judging by the way the buildings there were destroyed (even a Katusha rocket can drop a building), it looks like they are built very flimsily. Lebanon has no early warning system (sirens). Israel does.

Israel gave Lebanese citizens advance warning to leave areas before a bombing. But if you see the images on various news on TV, they don’t seem to care. Yes, some can’t leave.

The Katusha rocket has no guidance system. You aim it at a location and it can end up miles east or west of its intended destination. When Israel hits a building, they’re using information that a rocket was first fired from there. It’s hard to know that a family lives in the same building where the rocket was fired. But firing rockets from residential buildings and then using the people living there as shields is typical of Hezbollah.

Yes, there have been issues regarding where Israel rockets have struck, such as the UN observers, but those unarmed observers should have left their site when this began. Why were they there? Hezbollah seems to be hitting residential areas of Israel and—with one known exception—not one military compound.

When Israeli Arabs are killed, which has happened a few times already, has Hezbollah had any remorse? No.

» Gis Bun

In her concise letter, Shirley Groves presents an accurate perspective of Israeli oppression of Hezbollah, Hamas and the Palestinian population.

But the main issue is continually omitted: occupation. Unless occupation is kept in the forefront, there will be no resolution to the ongoing crisis. Occupation has never peaceably existed in world history, be it in India, South Africa, or, where every July 4 is the jubilant celebration of the end of occupation, in the U.S.

On the same topic, Adrian Burhop’s letter decries the lack of awareness of civilized society to the carnage in Lebanon. Indeed so, but this apparent blindspot is not endemic to only the U.S. and Canada—more so, the wealthy oligarchies of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan. They are the “moderate” Arab powers, and they detest the Palestinians. They prefer the bread that has the butter. They are virtual lackeys of U.S., U.K. and Israeli policy. With friends as these, who needs Israel?

Finally, your cartoon of the same page [Rosen, Aug. 3], the blasting of Israeli credibility and your news report by Patrick Lejtenyi, “Hate control,” raises skepticism. All too frequently, critical reporting on Israeli policy is translated to prejudice and hate against Jews. Is Israel truly synonymous with Judaism? Lejtenyi gave notable mention to the Friends of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, and they should be brought to task in this regard. Their parent, B’nai Brith of Canada and the U.S., is a tax-exempt, benevolent organization that, while espousing remembrance, remains as a staunch supporter of Israeli policy.

The contributions of Judaism should not be masked by an unrelenting support for Israel, which, unfortunately, has evolved into a fascist state.

» Edward Abramic

Kansas lefties speak

While I thought Lorraine Carpenter’s review of White Whale’s debut album was right on [Discs, Aug. 3], I found her musings about the band’s home state of Kansas offensive. Yes, Kansas voted overwhelmingly for George Bush. But it’s important to note that White Whale is from Lawrence, Kansas, a major stop on the Underground Railroad in the 1800s and now a college town known for its staunch liberalism and a kick-ass music scene. In fact, Carpenter would find a walk down Massachusetts St. in Lawrence quite similar to one down St-Laurent here in Montreal, minus the French language thing. Those interested in learning more about this blue ship that floats in a sea of red, visit www.lawrence.com.

» Todd Broockerd

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