The Right State

For a good look at why Israel must continue its struggle against Hezbollah in spite of the turning of world opinion against them, this article by Jules Crittenden is a must read.

The war in Lebanon must not end short of its logical conclusion. Its logical conclusion is not the successful use of human shields by Hezbollah to hamstring the Israeli Defense Forces. Its logical conclusion is the destruction of Hezbollah as a military and political force that will always remain a threat to peace and stability of the region. (snip)

This shows that Israel, and by extension the free world, is facing an enemy on a spiritual par with the Japanese in the Pacific in World War II, though not nearly as capable as that enemy was, even when that enemy had similarly overplayed its hand. But equally tenacious and delusional, seeing futile acts of suicide and homicide as tactical and strategic coups. (snip)

To end the present suffering of its people, Lebanon cannot be allowed to remain a defacto Shiite-extremist state, dominated by Syria and Iran. An international peacekeeping force cannot be brought in until the root of war is dug out, and Hezbollah is destroyed or effectively removed from Lebanon. That means that for now, as terrible as the toll has been, the use of human shields by Hezbollah cannot be a deterrent to utterly exterminating Hezbollah as a political and military threat and just as significantly, as a symbol of resistance.

This war, like all just wars against aggression, must not end short of its logical conclusion. Its logical conclusion is the extermination of Hezbollah.

It is what I have been saying all along, just not quite this eloquently.  The Israelis must be allowed to protect themselves.  Israel was attacked, has been attacked in the past by this terrorist group, and is fighting for its very survival.  I think Israel must be allowed as long of a leash at they want to finish the job.  By stepping in and stopping the war now, President Bush would not be giving Tel Aviv a lasting peace.

World opinion keeps mentioning the killing of civilians, but it must be remembered that both sides are losing civilians.  Lebanon loses people through the unintentional targeting of houses which house these people.  Israel on the other hand is losing civilians through the use of unguided rockets intended to kill as many civilians as possible.  Lebanese ‘civilians’ will continue to die as long as Hezbollah places them in harms way.

Hat tip: BlackFive

Tags: President Bush, War //