“This isn’t just a border clash”

Robert Howard at the Hamilton Spectator wrote an editorial on the conflict in Lebanon:

Israel has reacted with force in its war on Hezbollah, consistent with its long-standing policies that military efforts must be forceful, even overwhelming, to defeat enemies. It has not been indiscriminate in its attacks, but innocents have died nonetheless. There is never any good excuse for civilian casualties, but Hezbollah must share the blame for sheltering in residential neighbourhoods.

(Full text available here.)

I wrote a letter in response:

Re. “This isn’t just a border clash” by Robert Howard, July 18, A15

Robert Howard’s editorial reads like an Israeli press release: no matter what Israel does in Lebanon, it’s not Israel’s fault.

But regardless of who started this latest conflict – and it should be pointed out that Israel still imprisons Lebanese citizens in addition to 9,600 Palestinians, has regularly violated Lebanese airspace since its withdrawal in 2000, and has refused to give the Lebanese government a map of the 400,000 land mines it planted in Southern Lebanon – all parties have a responsibility to minimize civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure.

As of July 18, Israel has killed at least 215 Lebanese, all but 14 of them civilians. The dead include 20 Lebanese, including nine children, who were fleeing Marwaheen in civilian vehicles after being warned by the Israeli military to leave, contradicting Mr. Howard’s assertion that civilian casualties are a result of Hezbollah’s “sheltering in residential neighbourhoods”. Where, one wonders, was Hezbollah sheltering in this convoy of refugees: in the trunks?

It’s true that Hezbollah and Hamas are a threat to peace and security in the region, but they are not alone in this distinction. Israel’s dramatic escalation of the conflict, utter disregard for the lives of civilians, and continued annexation of Palestinian land makes it clear that Israel is not interested in a lasting, compromise peace any more than the Islamists.

I’ll let you know if it gets published.

[tags]Israel, Lebanon[/tags]