Arab reaction to Israeli offensive

[Logan13]

CAIRO, Egypt — Moderate Arab governments reacted with relative restraint to Israel's offensive in Lebanon, condemning attacks on civilians and infrastructure, but also implicitly criticizing Hezballah.

The relative silence appeared to reflect a sentiment in Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia that the Shiite Lebanese guerrilla group had dragged Lebanon into a needless fight by snatching two Israeli soldiers — a fight that would only benefit the hard-line regimes in Syria and Iran.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,203314,00.html

[Animal Cracker]

Not suprised at all!

[eliteforce]

Syria wants the Golan back, which is legally theirs, they can't launch a conventional war to get it back so they support Hizbollah and try to get it back through guerilla warfare, otherwise they will never get it back because what incentive would Israel have to give it back, it's nice green area and not full of Arab population so they'll just keep it, it's not really hardline, because Hez said they would disarm if Israel gives back 'shebba farms' (golan back) how would you suggest they get it back..

[Teabagger]

So you see eliteforce, the Hez attacks have nothing to do with "protecting" Lebanon. They are just Syria's bitch. Perhaps if Syria recognized Israel's right to exist, stopped supporting terrorism against Israel, and become a partner in peace and security in the region, they may get it back. But Israel has no incentive to give back something for nothing.

[Ufa]

Israel should use this opportunity to get rid of Hez for good. Maybe Israel can teach America how to stop being a girley boy.

[Phreak101]

Israel should use this opportunity to get rid of Hez for good. Maybe Israel can teach America how to stop being a girley boy.

You look quite the manly man yourself in that Avatar...what are those 12 inch bi's?

[kis55]

More good news. It appears the Arab world is starting to nut up and speak openly about the shitbag terrorists and their state sponsors.

Arab world fed up with Hizbullah

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Khaled Abu Toameh, THE JERUSALEM POST Jul. 17, 2006

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With the exception of the Palestinians, the Arab world appears to be united in blaming Iran and Syria for the fighting in Lebanon. Until last week, Arab political analysts and government officials were reluctant to criticize Hizbullah in public. But now that Hizbullah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah and his top aides are in hiding, an anti-Hizbullah coalition is emerging not only in Lebanon, but in several other Arab countries as well.

The Palestinians and Hizbullah feel that their Arab brethren have once again turned their backs on them. On Monday, hundreds of Palestinians who marched in downtown Ramallah in support of Hizbullah chanted: "Hassan Nasrallah is our hero, the rest of the Arab leaders are cowards" and "O beloved Abu Hadi [Nasrallah's nickname], bomb, bomb Tel Aviv." The second battle cry is reminiscent of the famous slogan the Palestinians used during the first Gulf War: "O beloved Saddam, bomb, bomb Tel Aviv."

Hizbullah and their supporters were hoping that the massive Israeli military operation in Lebanon would trigger large-scale protests throughout the Arab world, creating instability and threatening to bring down some of the Arab regimes.

But the response on the Arab street has been so disappointing for Hizbullah that its leaders are now openly talking about an Arab "conspiracy" to liquidate the Shi'ite organization. The few Hizbullah supporters in Ramallah, the Gaza Strip and some Arab capitals have therefore been directing most of their criticism against the Arab presidents and monarchs, accusing them of serving the interests of the US and Israel.

The anti-Hizbullah coalition, which appears to be growing with every Israeli missile that drops on the heads of Hizbullah leaders and headquarters, is spearheaded by Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan. These three countries, together with many Arab commentators and political analysts, are convinced that the leaders of Teheran and Damascus are using Hizbullah to divert attention from Iran's nuclear program and Syria's involvement in the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri.

The Saudis were the first to openly criticize Hizbullah, paving the way for other Arab countries to follow suit. The message coming out of these countries is that the Arabs and Muslims can't afford to allow an irresponsible and adventurous organization like Hizbullah to drag the region to war. Government spokesmen and officials, as well as prominent Arab editors and commentators, have shown no sympathy for Hizbullah while appearing on pan-Arab TV networks like Al-Jazeera and Abu Dhabi.

The Saudi position, which surprised Hizbullah and its supporters, was outlined by an anonymous official, who said that the people should distinguish between legitimate resistance and dangerous adventurism by some parties without cooperation from their governments and the Arab states.

The Saudi stand reflected the position of all the Gulf countries, which are unhappy not only with Hizbullah, but with Hamas as well. The Gulf countries are of the opinion that Hizbullah and Hamas are acting on orders from Teheran and Damascus.

That's why most Arab governments have refrained from making efforts to resolve the current crisis. As one government official in the Gulf explained: "We cannot play the role of mediators upon the request of some parties that act without taking into consideration the consequences of their actions." Similar sentiments have been reflected in a series of articles that appeared in the Arab media over the past few days. Some of the articles appear as if they had been written by Israeli government spokesmen. Ironically, the fact that Hizbullah and Hamas are now on the defensive has encouraged many Arabs to come out against the two groups in public.

Wadi Batti, an Iraqi columnist, said the Arabs should realize that militias and gangsters will only worsen their conditions. "The Lebanese example confirms the fears of Arabs about the presence of armed militias that threaten our stability and security," he wrote.

"By initiating the confrontation with Israel, Hizbullah has made a mockery of the Lebanese government and leaders, who are now seen as pawns in the hands of Nasrallah. How long will the Arabs continue to fight on behalf of Iran?"

Echoing the mood among most of his Lebanese fellow Christians, Joseph Bishara said: "Hizbullah is trying to provoke Israel into war to divert attention from the mistakes made by the Syrian and Iranian regimes. Bashar Assad and Ali Khamenei are using Hizbullah to achieve their direct and indirect goals in the region. They used Hizbullah to ease the pressure exerted by the international community on Syria and Iran.

"How can we ask Israel to have mercy on the Lebanese while Hizbullah is betraying Lebanon day and night?"

Bishara, whose article appeared on the Saudi-owned Elaph Web site, went as far as describing Syria and Iran as the real enemies of Lebanon. Today, he added, "Lebanon is paying the price for the sins of its real enemies - Syria and Iran, which don't dare confront Israel militarily and diplomatically. The time has come to neutralize and disarm Hizbullah before it becomes an illegitimate state inside Lebanon. Hizbullah's weapons threaten Lebanon's stability before they threaten Israel."

Tarek Hamo, another prominent Arab commentator, mocked Nasrallah, drawing parallels between him and ousted Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. "The statements of Hassan Nasrallah remind me of the statements made by Saddam Hussein on the eve of the US invasion of Iraq," he said. "Saddam, whose army generals fled their positions in Baghdad just before the invasion, also issued threats to destroy the Americans if they entered Baghdad. Nasrallah is now in hiding and his fate won't be better than that of Saddam, whose was hiding in a deep hole."

Writing in the influential pan-Arab London-based Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, columnist Iyad Abu Shakra said that many Lebanese were surprised by the Hizbullah operation and the kidnapping of the two Israeli soldiers.

"They were especially shocked by the timing of the attack - at the beginning of the tourism season that was supposed to provide income for over two million Lebanese families at a time when Lebanon is suffering a $40 million deficit in its budget," he pointed out. "What's really amazing is that Hizbullah's supporters and officials have underestimated the damages, especially to the tourism sector, by claiming that the only ones who were going to benefit from the tourism season were those who love humous and women."

Trying to explain the Arab attitude, Palestinian political analyst Ashraf al-Ajrami noted that many Arab countries were afraid of Iran and did not want to see the Iranians spread their influence. "The Arab countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan, believe that no party has the right to drag the entire region to a military confrontation with Israel," he wrote in the Ramallah-based Al-Ayyam daily.

"These countries believe that there is no room for mistakes and adventures. The Arabs are worried about Iran's plans in the region, especially with regards to Iraq and the development of nuclear weapons, and their attempts to influence events in Lebanon and Palestine. A large number of Arab countries, particularly in the Gulf, see Iran as a future adversary."

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satelli...icle%2FPrinter

[Teabagger]

That is good news indeed. The leaders of Hiz, are "dead men walking" and those that would want to replace them as well. Again...Iran and Syria have overplayed a hand they over estimated. I say those two regimes are not in power this time next year.

[painiscoming]

So you see eliteforce, the Hez attacks have nothing to do with "protecting" Lebanon. They are just Syria's bitch. Perhaps if Syria recognized Israel's right to exist, stopped supporting terrorism against Israel, and become a partner in peace and security in the region, they may get it back. But Israel has no incentive to give back something for nothing.

lets not talk about who is whos bitch cuz we all know Israel and U.S. have been lovers for many years and the middle east crises is their basterd child. but this love affair wont last long i garantee you.

[Kale]

lets not talk about who is whos bitch cuz we all know Israel and U.S. have been lovers for many years and the middle east crises is their basterd child. but this love affair wont last long i garantee you.

So which bitch are you ? Malitiabitch or Baggerbitch ?

[juiceboxxx]

So which bitch are you ? Malitiabitch or Baggerbitch ?

I dont know but so far I'm in love.

Finally someone who speaks from the side of the middle east who doesn't yell, scream, cry, bash, insult like a little baby but at the same time makes a good point.

btw: I dont think hes any of them. Just a new member.

[Kale]

I dont know but so far I'm in love.

Finally someone who speaks from the side of the middle east who doesn't yell, scream, cry, bash, insult like a little baby but at the same time makes a good point.

btw: I dont think hes any of them. Just a new member.

I got news for you buddy !!! Look above

[Logan13]

I got news for you buddy !!! Look above

JB is just another 21YO know-it-all, religiously brainwashed, muslim fanatic who has all of the answers to the world's problems......

[juiceboxxx]

I got news for you buddy !!! Look above

lol @ me

[RA]

I, myself, cant imagine hating my neighbor so much that I would strap a bomb to my son and send him over..just to do my neighbor harm.

I like to say we are all people. Not that much different than each other. But that seems very very different from me.

[Headdress]

In Philadelphia the quakers had a sign that said something like "War is never the right option". Or sometning kind of like that.

[Kärnfysikern]

headdress, quakers have nothing to do with the discussed topic so please dont post that here.

[Headdress]

JB is just another 21YO know-it-all, religiously brainwashed, muslim fanatic who has all of the answers to the world's problems......

And THIS is the topic?
Quakers have a message of peace. Very apllicable tothe topic in deference to the venom I see spewed forth here.

[Kärnfysikern]

And THIS is the topic?
Quakers have a message of peace. Very apllicable tothe topic in deference to the venom I see spewed forth here.

you are welcom to start a thread about quakers in the lounge if you want to.

[Headdress]

you are welcom to start a thread about quakers in the lounge if you want to.

I believe the quaker message is very much relevant to the topics here.
Are you slamming my faith? I doubt very much you would relegate the
others including atheists and especially Judaism to "the lounge". Looks like they pretty much run the show here.

[Kale]

I believe the quaker message is very much relevant to the topics here.
Are you slamming my faith? I doubt very much you would relegate the
others including atheists and especially Judaism to "the lounge". Looks like they pretty much run the show here.

I smell Baggerman !!!!

[Headdress]

I smell Baggerman !!!!

? is that some ethnic term.

[Kale]

? is that some ethnic term.

hehehe you will find out soon enough !!! As soon as the mods do an IPCHECK that is

[Headdress]

hehehe you will find out soon enough !!! As soon as the mods do an IPCHECK that is

I work in oahu. Not real friendly here in these forums. Why is that?

[Headdress]

That can change with kind dialogue.
I'll start.
I respect all the people in the mideast.
Can any Arab or Persian here point out a good quality in a Christian or Jewish prson? Or vice versa?

[Kärnfysikern]

I believe the quaker message is very much relevant to the topics here.
Are you slamming my faith? I doubt very much you would relegate the
others including atheists and especially Judaism to "the lounge". Looks like they pretty much run the show here.

No I am not slamming your faith at all. But this is in the news forum. We used to have a religion forum and I would have welcomed post about quakers there. We dont have that forum anylonger and all religious topics that gets discussed in the "in the news" forum is those directly related to news.

Do you se anyone discussing judaism in this forum? Anyone discussing christianity? If they appear in the news they get discussed. But a thread or post started to discuss the faith itself will be moved or deleted because it isnt news.

The 2 threads you have posted for instance is threads that belong in this forum.

So Im not putting anyone down or slamming anyone. Im just trying to keep this forum what its suposed to be. Doing my job in other words

[USfighterFC]

You look quite the manly man yourself in that Avatar...what are those 12 inch bi's?

BWAHAHAHAHAHHAHA

[Ufa]

I believe the quaker message is very much relevant to the topics here.
Are you slamming my faith? I doubt very much you would relegate the
others including atheists and especially Judaism to "the lounge". Looks like they pretty much run the show here.

Aloha and Mahalo for your Kokua!

[Headdress]

Aloha and Mahalo for your Kokua!

Have a blessed day my friend

[ZIA1]

How's this for an Arab reaction?

"For the millions of Christian Lebanese driven out of our homeland, "Thank you, Israel" is the sentiment echoing from around the world. The Lebanese Foundation for Peace, an international group of Lebanese Christians, made the following statement in a press release to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert concerning the latest Israeli attacks against Hizbullah:

'We urge you to hit them hard and destroy their terror infrastructure. It is not [only] Israel who is fed up with this situation, but the majority of the silent Lebanese in Lebanon who are fed up with Hizbullah and are powerless to do anything out of fear of terror retaliation.'

Their statement continues,

'On behalf of thousands of Lebanese, we ask you to open the doors of Tel Aviv's Ben-Gurion Airport to thousands of volunteers in the Diaspora willing to bear arms and liberate their homeland from [Islamic] fundamentalism. We ask you for support, facilitation and logistics in order to win this struggle and achieve together the same objectives: Peace and Security for Lebanon and Israel and our future generations to come.'

The once-dominant Lebanese Christians - responsible for giving the world "the Paris of the Middle East", as Lebanon used to be known - were killed, massacred, driven out of their homes and scattered around the world as radical Islam declared its holy war in the 1970s and took hold of the country. They voice an opinion that they, and Israel, have formed through personal experience, which is now belatedly being discovered by the rest of the world."

[Rider]

hmm looks like the Israelis (or the Jews) are everywhere, I am Christian and I feel ppl have to live peacefully altogether but we all know who's the bully in that area lol - Israel is

[Teabagger]

OK son of M'guy........................

[Ufa]

hmm looks like the Israelis (or the Jews) are everywhere, I am Christian and I feel ppl have to live peacefully altogether but we all know who's the bully in that area lol - Israel is

You sound kind of funny. In my opinion Israel should be getting ready to
take out the Iranian Nuclear Reactor.

Thought you were out of here M Guy!

[mcpeepants]

I think most Arab governments hate groups like Hezbollah more than Israel because they see these groups as an actual threat to their rule. It doesn't help that Hezbollah is shia and most of the arab world is sunni. However, I see that their reaction to Hezbollah with a glimmer of hope. Their views are contrary to the majority of their citizens and makes them look weak. Hopefully, their citizens will overthrow there weak and corrupt leaders and replace them with strong democracies that respect human rights.

[Logan13]

I think most Arab governments hate groups like Hezbollah more than Israel because they see these groups as an actual threat to their rule. It doesn't help that Hezbollah is shia and most of the arab world is sunni. However, I see that their reaction to Hezbollah with a glimmer of hope. Their views are contrary to the majority of their citizens and makes them look weak. Hopefully, their citizens will overthrow there weak and corrupt leaders and replace them with strong democracies that respect human rights.

Hezbollah is funded by Iran and Syria, both shi'ite(sp) countries. Their charter states that they exist to rid the middle east of jews. Most of the sunni countries are against the actions of the shi'tes, but they are not going to start any shit or speak out against them, especially since Iran is looking to go nuclear. Since many Muslims follow the Koran verbatim, they will most likely follow the passage that states that they must do as they are told by those who rule them. Can you name the last Middle east country that overthrough their leaders in order to form a Democratic state(w/o US help)?

[judge_dread]

[mcpeepants]

Hezbollah is funded by Iran and Syria, both shi'ite(sp) countries. Their charter states that they exist to rid the middle east of jews. Most of the sunni countries are against the actions of the shi'tes, but they are not going to start any shit or speak out against them, especially since Iran is looking to go nuclear. Since many Muslims follow the Koran verbatim, they will most likely follow the passage that states that they must do as they are told by those who rule them. Can you name the last Middle east country that overthrough their leaders in order to form a Democratic state(w/o US help)?

I don't think Iraq democracy is going so well since the government only really controls the green zone and would collapse if the US wasn't there. Plus the fact that 100 or so people are being killed daily. Well Iran had a democratic government until the CIA overthrew it. Overthrowing there arab governments is what I think arabs citizens should do. Eventually it's going to happen in form or another. Sunni governments have been very critical of Hezbollah, Iran, and there shia minorites in there countries. The Egyptian president said that egyptian shia are more loyal to Iran than egyptian.

Since many Muslims follow the Koran verbatim, they will most likely follow the passage that states that they must do as they are told by those who rule them.

Then it would mean there just like evagelical christians.

[Logan13]

I don't think Iraq democracy is going so well since the government only really controls the green zone and would collapse if the US wasn't there. Plus the fact that 100 or so people are being killed daily. Well Iran had a democratic government until the CIA overthrew it. Overthrowing there arab governments is what I think arabs citizens should do. Eventually it's going to happen in form or another. Sunni governments have been very critical of Hezbollah, Iran, and there shia minorites in there countries. The Egyptian president said that egyptian shia are more loyal to Iran than egyptian.

Since many Muslims follow the Koran verbatim, they will most likely follow the passage that states that they must do as they are told by those who rule them.

Then it would mean there just like evagelical christians.

Religious dogma as I am Agnostic. Why do you always attempt to be the apologist for the middle east fanatics? Difference tough, I do not see christians, hindu's, etc. terrorizing the world and targeting civilians in a mass "jihad". Perhaps you were born in the wrong country, and since you fancy the fanatical muslim ways, why not join the Nation of Islam or simply move to where you will be more happy?

[mcpeepants]

Religious dogma as I am Agnostic. Why do you always attempt to be the apologist for the middle east fanatics? Difference tough, I do not see christians, hindu's, etc. terrorizing the world and targeting civilians in a mass "jihad". Perhaps you were born in the wrong country, and since you fancy the fanatical muslim ways, why not join the Nation of Islam or simply move to where you will be more happy?

How am I being an apologist? All I said was most arab governments don't like groups like Hezbollah because they are threat to their power. These governments are mostly corrupt and self serving. There peoples should overthrow and get people that actually represent them. I like being christian so I'll stick with that.