Question: Why did Israel allow Hezbollah to acquire so many missiles

[lindisfarne]

that could reach into Israel? As far as I've heard, the UN resolution to disarm Hezbollah doesn't mention their having missiles (but perhaps I've missed that aspect?) Did Israel Defense forces know about them? They seem to have known as they estimate their numbers at between 9,000 - 12,000.

[MOUSETHIN]

1. "Allow"?

Not 'allowing' Hezbollah to do something it wants to do is precisely the situation we have today. Look at the outcry and backlash. Israel has CONSTANTLY restrained a large part of it's military force because of the many, many peoples and pols in the world who do not want them to use their military. As far as 'talking' Hezbollah out of having such weapons--that clearly does not work and it's been tried for nearly 50 years with one group or another since the advent of Israel. Many American presidents have continually asked Israel NOT to use it's military forces--with large applause from the Left (if we are honest with ourseves, we will admit this). One day everyone knew Israel would be pushed too far--and I believe that day has arrived.

Also, 'allowing' or 'not allowing' someone to do something it wants to do presupposes that that individual is in control of the situation. I'm not sure any force on earth could compel the middle east muslim countries to do it's bidding willingly--certainly not Israel. Israel has a strong military, yes--backed by us--yes. However, even Israel thusly equipped cannot FORCE all those huge muslim countries to bend to it's will or adopt it's will as their own freely.

[bowens43]

3. Pushed too far????

You have got to be kidding. Israel is in the process of murdering hundreds , if not thousands of Innocent people. They were not pushed into this. This is not justified.

[MOUSETHIN]

9. Sign...

You need to look at the entire history of the region. They have tried to destroy Israel for DECADES--if not half a CENTURY. Israel has a right to defend itself.

[no_hypocrisy]

7. Welcome to DU, MOUSETHIN. n/t

[bowens43]

2. A better question is

"why did we allow Israel to acquire it's military strength?".

[cali]

4. I think the answer to that

whether one finds it acceptable or not, is both obvious and well known.

[lindisfarne]

5. WWII and the hostility of the nations surrounding Israel will answer your

question. A better (historical) question is why Israel wasn't located in a portion of current-day Germany -- Germany was the losing power so why shouldn't it have given up a portion of its territory (of course, rampant anti-Semitism within Germany at the end of WWII could have been a problem -- but would it have been any more of a problem than what we have today? Of course, we'll never know the answer although part of the answer has to do with history concerning the formation of Israel which predates WWII.)

It's pointless to keep calling for redrawing of maps because something in the past is deemed incorrect by someone. Northern Ireland shouldn't exist separately from Ireland, either, but even though I'm of Irish descent and my ancestors suffered greatly at the hands and policies of the British, I'm willing to let that one go.

Given the recent events, the rest of world can forget about Israel ever giving up control of the West Bank or the Golan Heights, as those both form a buffer zone which protect Israeli cities from militias (or the government) operating within surrounding countries.

[Popol Vuh]

6. Frankly

I am getting a bit sick and tired of hearing about WWII qualifying Israel to act like a gang of thugs. Israel's actions and long history of ignoring UN resolutions and international law are the cause for Israel's problems.

Given the recent events, the rest of world can forget about Israel ever giving up control of the West Bank or the Golan Heights, as those both form a buffer zone which protect Israeli cities from militias (or the government) operating within surrounding countries.

Oh, so its ok for Israel to routinely kidnap and imprison people without trial from outside Israel and to totally oppress a people to absolute despotism? But the moment any of these people react after getting no where any other way. Everybody who's otherwise blind comes out of the closet and calls for further ignorance and hate. How nice.

How about this. How about we and the rest of the world tell Israel to fuck off and stop ALL financial and military aid until Israel FULLY complies with all the UN resolutions its in violation of and respects all international law and publicly states it recognizes the right to Palestine to exist.

I am so sick of these one sided Israeli apologist who only selectively remember history. I can't believe that there are people who call themselves a Democrat and prescribe to the total persecution of a people.......throw them all into a "ghetto" and strip them of all dignity and human rights. Where have I seen that before?

**shakes head**

[Igel]

8. Why didn't the government that keeps trumpeting its

sovereignty over the area do something about it, like block their entry? (Well, for a few years Syria called the shots. And then for the last year, Siniora's been scared stiff. But they're sovereign, really.)

Why didn't the UNIFIL make mention of them? (That's easy: They're neutral, they simply report violations and keep them confidential so that there'll be a nice archive. UNIFIL is a group of soldiers playing at being librarians, assuming the Hezb will disarm when exposed to UNIFIL's overwhelming moral rectitude.)

[Snivi Yllom]

10. Why did Syrian deliver so many Iranian made missiles to Hezbollah?

Guess what, Israel won't allow it any more.

[nealmhughes]

11. What were they supposed to do?

stop every truck going into Lebanon? Why is Lebanon so weak as to not stop militias period is a better question. But there is no answer to that. Israel and Lebanon, Syria and Jordan are all artificial countries. One cousin lives in Syria, another 100 yards away in Lebanon, why? Because that is how the Brits and French drew the lines after the peace treaties that ended the Ottoman Empire.

Lebanon went to the French as its outlet to the sea. Palstine went to the Brits. Syria went first to the Hashemites after the Arab Revolt of 1918 and then the French imposed their mandate and the king became king of Iraq. The Transjordan became the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

The modern states are lines carved on maps. There are Mizrahim, Arameans, Arabs, Bedouins and even Kurds all native in the area. To complicate matters, religion is a picture puzzle with three or four Orthodox denominations, RC, and Protestants in Lebanon and Syria, then one has Alawites, Sunni and Shiite Muslims and the Druze to top things off...and the large Jewish population in Israel now.

It's all Greater Syria geographically. The entire area, along with Egypt was once Christian before the rise of Islam. Now it ain't.

Complicate enough? Now let's throw in basic Syrian hegemony and desire for encreased hegemony over all of Greater Syria and oil money from Iran and we have a mess on our hands.

Remember Lebanon just got out of a 16 year civil war based on various militias. No wonder the Hizbollah got their missiles in there!