|
Front Page
Sections |
Israel Is Justified In Lebanon BombingsTo the Daily:I am writing in response to a letter by Amer Zahr that appeared in the Daily ("Israel should stop bombing Lebanon," 4/26/96). I felt that this letter was not only inappropriate, but incorrect as well.The Israeli actions in Lebanon have nothing to do with the fact that Israel is "occupying land in South Lebanon." In Southern Lebanon there is a security zone between Israel and Lebanon, for that purpose and that purpose only. This security zone is small, not "half your backyard," as the letter stated. Israel is not and has never been looking to expand its boundaries, as it is not an imperialist country. Israel is retaliating against the Hezbollah, not against Lebanon. The Hezbollah is an Iranian-backed terrorist organization, which was originally started to create unrest in Lebanon. When they fire Katyushas on Israel, however, there is no choice but to retaliate in the interests of Israeli security and the protection of innocent civilians. Israel started its bombings in response to Hezbollah attacks, and should continue to do so until Hezbollah is disarmed or stops firing on Israel. Israel has done its best to protect innocent Lebanese from harm, no matter how "inhumane" these actions may seem. And it continues to do its best to avoid hurting innocent people. Certainly there is nothing to gain (except sheer propaganda for the Hezbollah) from killing the innocent citizens of Lebanon. This is, however, a state of war, and in a war innocent people are bound to be hurt. Israelis, too, have been injured and continue to be at risk. This letter also states that Israel is guilty of illegal acts "all over the Middle East." I fail to see any factual basis for this claim. It also implies that the existence of Israel is the only obstacle to peace in the Middle East - again an irrational and fallacious argument. The aggressor in this situation is the Hezbollah and none other. If Hezbollah stops its bombings, Israel will more than willingly stop bombing as well. Pressure must be given to Syria, not the United States, to end violence. It is Syria who is in control of Lebanon, and who has in the past managed to control terrorist activity there. In addition, I must say that I feel that the printing of this article in The Michigan Daily was completely inappropriate. Are letters to the Daily simply a means of expressing political views? There is no rational explanation for why that letter should have appeared. Since, however, it did appear, I feel it is my duty to make the other side of the argument known.
Jamie Kantor
|