Israel-Lebanon Conflict

The Republic of France condemns the militant group of Hezbollah for their capture of two Israeli soldiers. We urge the Lebanese government to make all efforts possible to ensure these soldiers are freed unharmed, and the situation does not become a replay of the last time an Israeli soldier was captured by Hezbollah. We send our sympathies to the families of the soldiers.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/5171616.stm

Scroll to see replies

Reply 1

Nefarious

brimstone

Tonga echoes the sentiments of France but urges Israel not to overreact.

Reply 2

aiman

The United States is extremely displeased with these turn of events and condemns Hezbollah. It urges Israel to take action against the terrorist group and requests that the Lebanese government take all actions towards annihilating Hezbollah.

Reply 3

gemgems89

Israel is disgusted at the latest kidnappings by Lebanon and condemns Hezbollah for this hideous crime. There was absolutely no need for Lebanon to start getting involved. Does Lebanon crave some war? Does it feel as though it is missing out on all the action in Gaza? What does Lebanon hope to achieve? Israel will not act with restrain, we will not take it easy and we will react. Whatever actions we take can not be seen as overreacting for that is relative. Our actions will be proportionate and if our soldiers are not given back, Lebanon can expect their infrastructure to be damaged. It is Lebanon who started this act of war. Israel urges all countries to pressure the Lebanese government into releasing our soldiers, in a healthy and unharmed state. We also call on international pressure to the capturers of Gilad who is still being held in Gaza.

Israel will not stand for these outrageous terrorist acts and will not be seen as an easy target anymore.

The State of Israel is in a state of mourning and prayer. We call on other countries to do so too.

Reply 4

Jangliss

Russia notes that Israel had already invaded Lebanon, a sovereign democratic state, and that Hezbollah, part of the government of Lebanon, took them as legitimate prisoners of war. If Israel invade Lebanon again Russia will retaliate.

Reply 5

Knogle

... and you wonder what happens when militant groups from Syria, Jordon, and Egypt join this quagmire. Is Israel going to stretch its already thin military and invade of all the above-mentioned territories?

From my understanding, Lebanon is a completely sovereign state which doesn't recognise Hezbollah.

Hezbollah was completely wrong by capturing the aforementioned Israeli soldiers, but with that said, Israel is in NO POSITION to invade Lebanon to achieve its political objectives.

Israeli should instead attempt to resolve the crisis through diplomatic means. Until and unless that channel has been exhausted, and that the Lebanese government and proclaimed its support for Hezbollah and refuses to conduct investigations or anti-terror raids, Israel must NOT send its forces across the border into foreign territory.

We condemn Hezbollah for resorting to such disgusting and dastardly acts of terror, but we are equally disgusted and consternated that Israel has responded in an appalling manner.

Reply 6

aiman

We're willing to help Israel if things get out of hand.

Reply 7

gemgems89

Jangliss

Israel ended its occupation in lebananon 6 years ago. Lebanon is not a democracy. Get your facts right. And if Hezbollah, A TERRORIST GROUP, is part of the governement, then the Lebanese government is somewhat corrupt and we sympathise.

Russia will retaliate? Are you also craving some action? What have you got to do with all this? Israel condemns these ridiculous statements by Russia and is ashamed that you have not called on the capturers to hand the soldiers back.

Even the (real) UN representative for Lebanon has condemned the kidnappings. It is a shame that Russia is unable to do so.

Knogle

Do you expect us to sit there and watch them join? And not fight back? Well maybe the UK approves of kidnapping but we certainly do not. Just by the way, Jordan and Egypt are at peace with Israel. And yes, Syria are already involved - they played part of the capture of Gilad and also host a large Hamas leadership.

We condemn Hezbollah for resorting to such disgusting and dastardly acts of terror, but we are equally disgusted and consternated that Israel has responded in an appalling manner.

An appalling manner? Why don't you condemn Lebanon for launching dozens of Katyusha rockets and mortar bombs at the Israeli town of Shlomi? Why don't you notice that there are actually more Israeli casualties in this so far? Are you forgetting 3 Israeli soldiers have already been killed? Israel is disgusted at both the UK's and Russia's remarks and hopes other countries will respond a bit more positively. Surely, if the situation was reversed and if it was Israel who did the kidnapping, we would receive LOADS of condemnations. But if Lebanon went into Israel to find their missing soldiers, there would be no problem. In fact, they would probaly be commended.

Israel thanks the US for its valued support in this difficult time.

Reply 8

aiman

An appalling manner? Why don't you condemn Lebanon for launching dozens of Katyusha rockets and mortar bombs at the Israeli town of Shlomi? Why don't you notice that there are actually more Israeli casualties in this so far? Israel is disgusted at both the UK's and Russia's remarks and hopes other countries will respond a bit more positively. Surely, if the situation was reversed and if it was Israel who did the kidnapping, we would receive LOADS of condemnations. But if Lebanon went into Israel to find their missing soldiers, there would be no problem. In fact, they would probaly be commended.

Indeed. It is a sad world that we live in where terrorists are condoned, if not accoladed. We ask other members of the United Nations, to think without bias, at who the real agressors are in this situation; Hezbollah.
We cannot think of many countries that would act differently from Israel, and we note that should Israel, 'let this go', such abductions will continue.

Reply 9

Knogle

Don't mince my words. We expect you to fix the problem through diplomatic means - NOT immediately let your horses lose and violate the sovereignty of another state. Israel is clearly warmongering.

I know that the death toll as a result of Israel's recent invasion of the Gaza Strip has climbed past 50, and frankly that is ridiculous. Israel promised us at the start of all this that it would avoid all civilian casualties, but clearly this hasn't been the case. The proof is in the pudding. We would support your actions if you could actually be trusted and reliable, but Israel is full of trash talk and utterly alarming military action right now.

Yes, you would have been condemned if you kidnapped the soldiers (well, i think. some countries just have ulterior motives if they choose not to). So what distinguishes you from a terrorist state? Nothing, it seems. The both of you resort to violence to achieve your desired objectives. Israel's leadership abuses its military and operates through the state at the command of the PM. Hezbollah, on the other hand, achieves its objectives through an outlawed security wing. You might want to note that the EU has not categorised Hezbollah (particularly its political wing) as a terrorist group per se.

Diplomatic channels exist for a reason. Like you said the Lebanese rep has already condemned the kidnappings - a clear demonstration of the government's posture on this issue. Why don't you let them, a sovereign state, handle investigative and recovery efforts?

Again, let me make it clear. WE CONDEMN THE KIDNAPPINGS, but we are horrified by Israel's response to this development.

Reply 10

aiman

Don't mince my words. We expect you to fix the problem through diplomatic means - NOT immediately let your horses lose and violate the sovereignty of another state. Israel is clearly warmongering.

It's fairly obvious what will happen if this is left to the Lebanese government. Yes, they'll condemn it; it takes nothing to condemn. But if they're are asked to take action, they'll probably do nothing or act ineffectively. The reason for that is fairly obvious, Hezbollah has political influence and support from the Lebanese population.

You might want to note that the EU has not categorised Hezbollah (particularly its political wing) as a terrorist group per se.

That doesn't mean its not a terrorist group. We, for example, identify Hezbollah for its terrorism.

Reply 11

Knogle

You're an accidental theorist my friend. Just like you expect the world to exert immense international pressure on North Korea, the same can be done on Lebanon. You haven't even tried!

That doesn't mean its not a terrorist group. We, for example, identify Hezbollah for its terrorism.

The US does. The EU doesn't. Thank God for the ability to decide our own foreign policy.

Reply 12

Longshoredrift80

Jangliss

Russia notes that Israel had already invaded Lebanon, a sovereign democratic state, and that Hezbollah, part of the government of Lebanon, took them as legitimate prisoners of war.

That makes no sense. If Lebanon is taking Israeli POWs then surely Israel is well within its rights to wage war against Lebanon. You can't take 'prisoners of WAR' without being at war, idiot.

Jangliss

If Israel invade Lebanon again Russia will retaliate.

No you won't. You couldn't even if you wanted to, stop posturing.

Reply 13

Knogle

[off topic]Ah, I was wondering how long it was gonna be before JonH made his grand appearance. :biggrin:

[/off topic]

Reply 14

Longshoredrift80

Knogle

From my understanding, Lebanon is a completely sovereign state which doesn't recognise Hezbollah.

Hezbollah was completely wrong by capturing the aforementioned Israeli soldiers, but with that said, Israel is in NO POSITION to invade Lebanon to achieve its political objectives.

Lebanon allows Hezbollah to essentially RUN the south of the country. Hezbollah has military positions and flies its flag without any opposition from the Lebanese government. Thus Israel is well within its rights to go in to Lebanon to fight and reclaim its men. It would be utterly indefensible for Lebanon to allow Hezbollah to exist and function as a terror organisation and then complain when Israel comes to fight it.

Knogle

but we are equally disgusted and consternated that Israel has responded in an appalling manner.

What rubbish. Israel suffered an unprovoked attack by a known terror group. Israeli soldiers were killed and kidnapped. And the UK comes in and condemns Israel for responding to what is essentially a declaration of war? What idiocy.

Reply 15

Longshoredrift80

Knogle

Don't mince my words. We expect you to fix the problem through diplomatic means - NOT immediately let your horses lose and violate the sovereignty of another state. Israel is clearly warmongering.
So Hezbollah launches a massive assault against military and civilian targets within Israel, killing and capturing Israeli soldiers, and when Israel responds to this incredible provocation, the UK accuses ISRAEL of 'warmongering'?

I have never read such backwards, illogical nonsense.

Reply 16

aiman

You're an accidental theorist my friend. Just like you expect the world to exert immense international pressure on North Korea, the same can be done on Lebanon. You haven't even tried!

Have you seen what China is doing on the N. Korean issue? Backing out, in a manner of speaking... We also see that many nations hold an anti-Israel stance, and a good number of them oppose anything other than bland and pointless resolutions. Although we respect diplomacy, we see that diplomacy, especially through the UN, is extremely slow and ineffective. By the time this issue has been dicussed, first in the GA, then the SC, Hezbollah could have easily killed the Israelis or hidden them, and removed all evidence of the culpable.

Reply 17

gemgems89

Knogle

Don't mince my words. We expect you to fix the problem through diplomatic means - NOT immediately let your horses lose and violate the sovereignty of another state. Israel is clearly warmongering.

We are warmongering? Remember it was Lebanon that actually kidnapped and killed 3 soldiers in the first place? So surely it is them that feels the need to join in on the action they clearly yearn.

We have avoided civilian casualties, but you must realise they get caught in cross-fire. It is literally impossible to when the terrorists mingle with civilians. We are sorry for the civilians killed. The news is somewhat hazy and Israel denied the attack that killed innocent civilians yesterday I think it was.

Yes, you would have been condemned if you kidnapped the soldiers (well, i think. some countries just have ulterior motives if they choose not to). So what distinguishes you from a terrorist state? Nothing, it seems. The both of you resort to violence to achieve your desired objectives. Israel's leadership abuses its military and operates through the state at the command of the PM. Hezbollah, on the other hand, achieves its objectives through an outlawed security wing. You might want to note that the EU has not categorised Hezbollah (particularly its political wing) as a terrorist group per se.

Israel sees Hezbollah as a terrorist group and will react. We can not negotiate with terrorists, especially when they do not recognise Israel. Israel is holding negotiations as well, but we can not risk yet another soldier being killed and so feel the need to find him ourselves.

Diplomatic channels exist for a reason. Like you said the Lebanese rep has already condemned the kidnappings - a clear demonstration of the government's posture on this issue. Why don't you let them, a sovereign state, handle investigative and recovery efforts?

Exactly what the US representative said. They do not recognise Israel and have no interest in freeing our soldier. If we let them do it, I doubt we'd get very far. We await their action.

Reply 18

Knogle

Disagreed. You're messing with the internal affairs of the country, and you have no business to do so. Until and unless the Lebanese government has declared that it is united with Hezbollah's terrorist wing, which it has vehemently denied, you have no right to intervene and invade a foreign, sovereign state especially without international approval and a mandate from the UNGA/SC. No one denies that Hezbollah exists - they're a political party after all. That's not the issue on the table here.

Unprovoked? After the killing of over 50 Palestinians, you have the audacity to say that the kidnappings were unprovoked? Heh. Let's bet that this wouldn't have happened if Israel had not invaded the Gaza Strip for starters. I'm not saying that the kidnappings are fully legitimate and reasonable, because they aren't. But Israel's not entirely right either...

Reply 19

Knogle

JonathanH

So Hezbollah launches a massive assault against military and civilian targets within Israel, killing and capturing Israeli soldiers, and when Israel responds to this incredible provocation, the UK accuses ISRAEL of 'warmongering'?

I have never read such backwards, illogical nonsense.