Can there be war crimes, if it isn't a war between nations?
I just read that the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee is accusing Israel of having committed war crimes against Lebanese civilians last year during the war.
The report charges, "The often-repeated theme that Israeli officials articulated during the war -- that Lebanese civilians had to 'pay a price' for the military activities and political strength of (Hezbollah) -- is clear evidence that Israel's use of force in asserted 'self-defense' was in fact a pretext for wide-ranging retaliation aimed at Lebanese civilians. The principle of distinction (between soldiers and civilians) is an essential element of customary international law and international humanitarian law." (Detroit News, 6/10/07)
Right.
Because Israel wants to just waste millions of shekels and more than 100 lives of our soldiers just to hurt civilians.
I like the way "self-defense" is in quotes. Like, "sure... it's 'self-defense,' even though you have a big, strong military and all we have is our little militia who doesn't do anything but intimidate us and rule our government, so how could we possibly be doing anything to you for which you would need to defend yourselves?"
I also like the way they get self-righteous about the level of distinction between soldiers and civilians.
Because of course, allowing Hezbollah to shoot rockets at completely unaware and unarmed farmers and children is distinguishing between soldiers and civilians.
Once again, "they" believe Israel should be held to a higher standard than themselves.
The funny thing is, we do hold ourselves to a higher standard.
I have friends who are, or who have been, soldiers in Gaza, Judea and/or Samaria. They tell me stories of having children thrown at them, as shields between rock/bottle throwers and the soldiers.
They tell me stories of Israeli soldiers being shot while entering homes looking for terrorists, because instead of just bombing the house and being done with it, they go in one-by-one in order to protect the lives of the "civilians" harboring the terrorists.
Israel constantly puts the lives of our soldiers on the line in order to protect the lives of civilians, even though the line between "civilian" and "terrorist/harborer of terrorist/soldier" is much more blurred on their side than on ours.
The report's sort of right about one thing, for sure -- there were serious crimes committed during the war, by the Israeli military.
Unfortunately, the crimes I'm referring to were committed against our own soldiers.
The way our soldiers were treated by the stupid leaders of this country and of the military was disgusting. They were sent into battle without proper equipment. In preparing for the war, it was literally every man for himself when it came to scamming arms out of the armories. People were bringing equipment from home.
The soldiers were sent into battle in the heat of the summer without food or water, and expected to fight for their lives and the lives of all Israeli citizens.
Reservists who'd gotten soft during the previous years because their reserve duty was chopped to save money, were told to run 30 or 40 miles with full packs as "training," and then sent into battle.
I don't know what I think anymore. I have friends who want all Arabs within Israel, Gaza, Judea and Samaria shipped out to Jordan or any other Muslim country.
I'm not at that point yet... but I see why they believe the way they do.
The report charges, "The often-repeated theme that Israeli officials articulated during the war -- that Lebanese civilians had to 'pay a price' for the military activities and political strength of (Hezbollah) -- is clear evidence that Israel's use of force in asserted 'self-defense' was in fact a pretext for wide-ranging retaliation aimed at Lebanese civilians. The principle of distinction (between soldiers and civilians) is an essential element of customary international law and international humanitarian law." (Detroit News, 6/10/07)
Right.
Because Israel wants to just waste millions of shekels and more than 100 lives of our soldiers just to hurt civilians.
I like the way "self-defense" is in quotes. Like, "sure... it's 'self-defense,' even though you have a big, strong military and all we have is our little militia who doesn't do anything but intimidate us and rule our government, so how could we possibly be doing anything to you for which you would need to defend yourselves?"
I also like the way they get self-righteous about the level of distinction between soldiers and civilians.
Because of course, allowing Hezbollah to shoot rockets at completely unaware and unarmed farmers and children is distinguishing between soldiers and civilians.
Once again, "they" believe Israel should be held to a higher standard than themselves.
The funny thing is, we do hold ourselves to a higher standard.
I have friends who are, or who have been, soldiers in Gaza, Judea and/or Samaria. They tell me stories of having children thrown at them, as shields between rock/bottle throwers and the soldiers.
They tell me stories of Israeli soldiers being shot while entering homes looking for terrorists, because instead of just bombing the house and being done with it, they go in one-by-one in order to protect the lives of the "civilians" harboring the terrorists.
Israel constantly puts the lives of our soldiers on the line in order to protect the lives of civilians, even though the line between "civilian" and "terrorist/harborer of terrorist/soldier" is much more blurred on their side than on ours.
The report's sort of right about one thing, for sure -- there were serious crimes committed during the war, by the Israeli military.
Unfortunately, the crimes I'm referring to were committed against our own soldiers.
The way our soldiers were treated by the stupid leaders of this country and of the military was disgusting. They were sent into battle without proper equipment. In preparing for the war, it was literally every man for himself when it came to scamming arms out of the armories. People were bringing equipment from home.
The soldiers were sent into battle in the heat of the summer without food or water, and expected to fight for their lives and the lives of all Israeli citizens.
Reservists who'd gotten soft during the previous years because their reserve duty was chopped to save money, were told to run 30 or 40 miles with full packs as "training," and then sent into battle.
I don't know what I think anymore. I have friends who want all Arabs within Israel, Gaza, Judea and Samaria shipped out to Jordan or any other Muslim country.
I'm not at that point yet... but I see why they believe the way they do.
posted by M at 07:23
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