On Disarming Hezbollah

[So here goes...this has been welling up in me for some time...and I'm writing this a bit rushed...]

The 24-hour news networks have become a constant in our house. Something reached me a couple of days (actually weeks) ago through the white noise of hourly updates and flashy news graphics. Israel is hellbent on 'disarming Hezbollah'. This seems to be the primary obstruction to a permanent cease fire and peace talks in the region.

[ASIDE: It is interesting (but not surprising) to note the lack of support in disarming Israel, a nation that has demonstrated its ability to use its superior weapons against civilian populations with blatant disregard for life. Or the question: why Hezbollah should be disarmed? Or rage on part of the U.N. and the West in response to Israel's so called 'Measured' response?]

Israel's strategy for 'disarming' Hezbollah has consisted of 'targeting Hezbollah hideouts and infrastructure' ( Mark Regev, a spokesman for Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs). However, Israeli policy on the issue does not account for the fact that Hezbollah is not a foreign government (although they do provide many government services to the Lebanese people, more on this later). Unlike traditional governments, Hezbollah lacks isolated 'strongholds'. They have no hardened bunkers, or government complexes or structured centers. Their infrastructure is intertwined with civilian infrastructure. In effect, the Israeli army has (knowingly) been targeting primarily civilian areas, civilian roads, and civilian homes. Wiping out 'Hezbollah supply lines' essentially means blocking aid from entering Lebanon. Shelling Hezbollah strongholds essentially means the displacement and destruction of Lebanese civilians and civilian properties.

Hezbollah's integration with the civilian population is far greater than traditional 'guerilla ' organizations or other resistance movements. In terms of categorization, Hezbollah falls somewhere in the gray zone between militia, social organization, grassroots movement and social services provider. According to CNN: "Hezbollah did everything that a government should do, from collecting the garbage to running hospitals and repairing schools." The U.N. reported that Hezbollah "boasts an extensive social development programme. The group currently operates at least four hospitals, 12 clinics, 12 schools and two agricultural centres that provide farmers with technical assistance and training. It also has an environmental department and an extensive social assistance programme." It maintains media programs for much of Southern Lebanon. It is an active advocate for women’s rights and has been key to aid efforts such as water purification in devastated regions. So when Israel says it is targeting Hezbollah strongholds, the statement is not to be taken lightly. Are these military strongholds or are they centers for Hezbollah's other branches? Does Israel care? Israel's history with the region (Lebanon, Palestine etc.) suggest that they don't. The casualties suggest they don't (for God's sake, look at the numbers). First hand reports from journalists, bloggers and extracted Lebanese suggest they don't.

By simply throwing firepower in Hezbollah's general direction, Israel has bolstered support for the group. National and international support for the organization was extremely high during the previous occupation of Lebanon and even higher during the Qana massacre, Israel's previous show of force. No, continuous shelling will not weaken Hezbollah like it did to the P.L.O. Even Israeli military officials disagree with the tao of the Israeli army. Captain Mitch Pilcer, a military spokesman concluded that if the shelling of Lebanon results in a flattened town, the population would simply turn and join Hezbollah. Another Israeli soldier remarked that "Nobody here looks down on Hezbollah. This is their home, they're the defenders." I think at the end of the day, Hezbollah has already won this bout, because Israel will not take care of clean up duty in shell shocked Lebanon. It has only added to the chaos and displaced a quarter of the population.

So what is the answer? Diplomacy, I'd guess. I do not know...but there HAS to be an immediate ceasefire (without conditions). If Israel truly hopes to 'disarm' Hezbollah, they must realize something. It was perhaps best expressed best by the Lebanese Prime minister: The continued presence and threat of Israeli occupation of Lebanese lands, the unfair and often illegal imprisonment of Lebanese is what contributes to the presence of Hezbollah's arms. Stockpiles of arms steadily increased during mounting tensions between Israel and Hezbollah just before everything came to a head.

Still...when the deathcount stands at 11 Lebanese : 1 Israel (bear in mind 1/3 of Lebanese casualties are children under 12) and displacement sits at 3 Lebanese : 1 Israeli (total of 1 Million displaced Lebanese...about a 1/4 of the population) and there is no heavy defense for Southern Lebanon besides Hezbollah, one must ask why Hezbollah should be disarmed? What of Israel who has used tanks and carpet bombings on civilian targets and stone throwers?

These I think are difficult questions...slippery slopes. At the end of the day, Israeli and Lebanese civilians are the losers. Because as the rockets and guns stop firing on either side, both lands will be left in the silence of grieving families, devastated homes and displaced populations. Allah help them.

You Have Your Lebanon and I Have My Lebanon
Khalil Gibran

You have your Lebanon and its dilemma. I have my Lebanon and its beauty. Your Lebanon is an arena for men from the West and men from the East.

My Lebanon is a flock of birds fluttering in the early morning as shepherds lead their sheep into the meadow and rising in the evening as farmers return from their fields and vineyards.

You have your Lebanon and its people. I have my Lebanon and its people.

...

Let me tell you who are the children of my Lebanon.

They are farmers who would turn the fallow field into garden and grove.

They are the shepherds who lead their flocks through the valleys to be fattened for your table meat and your woolens.

They are the vine-pressers who press the grape to wine and boil it to syrup.

They are the parents who tend the nurseries, the mothers who spin the silken yarn.

They are the husbands who harvest the wheat and the wives who gather the sheaves.

They are the builders, the potters, the weavers and the bell-casters.

They are the poets who pour their souls in new cups.

They are those who migrate with nothing but courage in their hearts and strength in their arms but who return with wealth in their hands and a wreath of glory upon their heads.

They are the victorious wherever they go and loved and respected wherever they settle.

They are the ones born in huts but who died in palaces of learning.

These are the children of Lebanon; they are the lamps that cannot be snuffed by the wind and the salt which remains unspoiled through the ages.

They are the ones who are steadily moving toward perfection, beauty, and truth.

...

You have your Lebanon and I have my Lebanon.

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-TWS Out