The Middle-East
John H. Adler
July 17, 2006
It has happened before:
Just when things seem to calm down in the Israel/Palestine conflict, something bad happens. This does not occur by accident but is cleverly devised by parties that do not wish peace to come to the region.
There are players among the rulers of the countries of the Middle-East who, for reasons of their own, want to keep the pot boiling.
Iran is a major player in that game of “chicken”. They are actively engaged in the Iraq war shielding, financing and equipping terrorists in an effort to establish an Islamic/ Shiite form of Government similar to their own. The ouster of Hussein has removed their only dangerous foe in the region. Iran’s leadership has taken on the vilification of Jews by spreading lies and hatred.
In Lebanon, Iran acts as advisor, financier and procurer of armament to the rebellious Hezbollah. This terrorist organization has managed to infiltrate the Lebanese government and, because of pressure from Iran, is permitted to run the southern part of their host-country. They are, no doubt, better armed than the Lebanese army.
The Palestinians have become the benefactors of generous monetary contributions from Iran. Logistics make the supply of arms a problem for them.
Syria, an acknowledged enemy of Israel, serves as headquarters and a safe haven for any and all terrorists. It is through their airspace and roads that the Hezbollah receives materials from Iran.
Let us not under-estimate Syria’s importance vis-à-vis the Iraq conflict. Many attacks in Iraq are planned and executed from inside the Syrian border.
Israel has unilaterally relinquished the Gaza Strip. Negotiations with the Palestinian Government were going on. What was the Palestinian people’s response? The election of implacable enemies of Israel as their leaders. Missiles are directed daily at Israeli settlements. Israeli territory is broached, soldiers killed and abducted.
Iran and Syria felt under political pressure because of their own transgressions, and to direct the onus from themselves, they engineered trouble on the Israeli/Lebanese border. They opened a second front for Israel.
The big question for the Israeli Government is:
How shall we respond?
Shall we try to put out a brush fire and risk others to follow, or should we clear the entire area of the dry brush even if a few buildings burn down in the process?
Time is not on Israel’s side. Iran has already supplied the Hezbollah with medium distance missiles that reach Haifa. If Israel waits any longer, the Hezbollah will have weapons that can reach Tel-Aviv and Jerusalem. What is going to happen once Iran has built its hydrogen bomb? Make no mistake, they will find ways to build it with or without pacts and sanctions.
Israel stands at cross-roads. There is much more involved than three abducted soldiers. Israel’s very existence is at stake, and the outcome of the current conflict may foretell its future.
Just when things seem to calm down in the Israel/Palestine conflict, something bad happens. This does not occur by accident but is cleverly devised by parties that do not wish peace to come to the region.
There are players among the rulers of the countries of the Middle-East who, for reasons of their own, want to keep the pot boiling.
Iran is a major player in that game of “chicken”. They are actively engaged in the Iraq war shielding, financing and equipping terrorists in an effort to establish an Islamic/ Shiite form of Government similar to their own. The ouster of Hussein has removed their only dangerous foe in the region. Iran’s leadership has taken on the vilification of Jews by spreading lies and hatred.
In Lebanon, Iran acts as advisor, financier and procurer of armament to the rebellious Hezbollah. This terrorist organization has managed to infiltrate the Lebanese government and, because of pressure from Iran, is permitted to run the southern part of their host-country. They are, no doubt, better armed than the Lebanese army.
The Palestinians have become the benefactors of generous monetary contributions from Iran. Logistics make the supply of arms a problem for them.
Syria, an acknowledged enemy of Israel, serves as headquarters and a safe haven for any and all terrorists. It is through their airspace and roads that the Hezbollah receives materials from Iran.
Let us not under-estimate Syria’s importance vis-à-vis the Iraq conflict. Many attacks in Iraq are planned and executed from inside the Syrian border.
Israel has unilaterally relinquished the Gaza Strip. Negotiations with the Palestinian Government were going on. What was the Palestinian people’s response? The election of implacable enemies of Israel as their leaders. Missiles are directed daily at Israeli settlements. Israeli territory is broached, soldiers killed and abducted.
Iran and Syria felt under political pressure because of their own transgressions, and to direct the onus from themselves, they engineered trouble on the Israeli/Lebanese border. They opened a second front for Israel.
The big question for the Israeli Government is:
How shall we respond?
Shall we try to put out a brush fire and risk others to follow, or should we clear the entire area of the dry brush even if a few buildings burn down in the process?
Time is not on Israel’s side. Iran has already supplied the Hezbollah with medium distance missiles that reach Haifa. If Israel waits any longer, the Hezbollah will have weapons that can reach Tel-Aviv and Jerusalem. What is going to happen once Iran has built its hydrogen bomb? Make no mistake, they will find ways to build it with or without pacts and sanctions.
Israel stands at cross-roads. There is much more involved than three abducted soldiers. Israel’s very existence is at stake, and the outcome of the current conflict may foretell its future.
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