Tuesday, July 25, 2006

The current state of turmoil in the Middle East has left many American’s grasping the inherit differences between right and wrong. In most complex world events it seems as if there is no clear cut, black and white, distinguishing factors between good and evil; ultimately we are usually left with conflicts consisting mostly of “grey area” in which each side has a logical believable reasoning for provoking conflict. However, in our current situation this is absolutely not the case. The simple fact remains that Israel has exhausted all means of a diplomatic solution; even forcibly removing its citizens and conceding lands to its neighbors as a bargaining chip for peace. Now not one but both of these neighbors have taken this time of so-called peace to do nothing but build up their arsenal in order to attack the State of Israel more ruthlessly than before, using the conceded lands as a staging ground for attacks. The topic of this essay is meant to focus on the Hezbollah militia and the role of the Nation of Lebanon in which they operate. I’ve heard arguments stating that Lebanon and the Lebanese bear no fault in this situation, which has left me questioning the responsibilities of the government of Lebanon and its citizens.

All governments derive their power from the consent of its people, this term rings true to all Americans being as it is a cornerstone to our own Declaration of Independence but I hear time and time again that this simple truth only applies to a Democracy. It is my contention that this is not the case and it is not only a right of the people but their responsibility to rise up against any government that is either abusing its powers for an unjust cause or simply not fulfilling the basic functions of government. If the citizens do not then they are condoning the acts of the government and are just as guilty as the national leadership itself. If the people do stand up against their government then I believe it is the responsibility of the civilized world to aid those rebels in altering or abolishing their current government to allow the citizens to form new government that will secure the basic human rights that we all deserve.

In the case of Hezbollah and Lebanon we have a particularly awkward situation. The government of Lebanon is claiming to be a victim in this situation while Hezbollah continues an assault on Israel. Meanwhile the government of Lebanon is doing nothing to hinder Hezbollah. How could this be? What nation would allow a rouge militia to conduct war within its boarders? The reason for this is that Hezbollah is not some rouge militia as some may believe, in fact it is almost entirely made up of Lebanese citizens and I for one cannot see how the citizens of a country can want war but the government itself claims to be a victim. It may be that Hezbollah is not the majority opinion of Lebanon but if they are truly in the minority then it is still the responsibility of the Government of Lebanon to take a stand against its own citizens and carry out the will of the majority. If Hezbollah is greatly supported by the people of Lebanon then this week’s events are nothing short of a declaration of war by the state of Lebanon. It is the responsibility of the Lebanese to decide which side of this conflict they are on; neutrality is not an option for the State of Lebanon while its citizens are conducting acts of war against Israel.

Israel has every right to defends itself against such outright assaults and until Hezbollah returns the captured soldiers and disarms then I see no reason for Israel to stand down and work towards a path of diplomacy. Being as Israel’s last attempts at diplomacy were great concessions of land that were only used to stage attacks by its enemies, how can any sane being believe that diplomacy would work in favor of Israel this time? The strong swift response is the appropriate one and the State of Lebanon should stand with Israel against Hezbollah if diplomacy is ever to work.

The burden of this conflict falls directly on the shoulders of Hezbollah and the blood of every civilian death, Israeli and Lebanese, is on the hands of Hezbollah. They hold the keys to peace but refuse to use them. The Lebanese government could stand with Israel in ridding Lebanon of this militia and peace would come quickly, but they will not. Yet the world expects Israel to accept these outright acts of war and trust in a diplomatic system that has let them down countless times. I do not nor will I ever understand this logic. The world must stand with Israel against terrorism and if the world will not; it is no reason that America should not.

The world may be afraid of war, as it should be no war is welcomed by civilized nations, but fear is no reason to not go to war. Ultimately in this fight there is a clear good and a clear evil and we cannot negotiate with evil for its promises are empty and its plans are devious. Just before the attack on Pearl Harbor Japan made peace with the United States knowing full well their intentions to bring war to America. When will we start learning from our history? Is the world’s memory so short? I say that Hezbollah and Hamas have shown their true character in this first half of 2006 and must make great concessions to Israel before they could ever be trusted at the table of peace. Until then their total eradication should be the goal of the world. We will not be held hostage by threats of terrorism and radical behaviors, I for one am not afraid of the fight knowing that the alternative is the destruction of civilization as we know it.

-Jamie Drane