Iranians in Israeli prison for 25 years

Haagen Daas Ad in Beirut “Taste the reconciliation”

The Beirut Report an inside look at Lebanon, the Middle East and its media The picture on the left from The Beirut Report. A scoop of Doha The BBC is also running the same type of picture with the following caption: There are posters all over parts of the capital now proclaiming: Beirut Back to Life. And Haagen-Dazs ice-cream were really quick off the mark. Their posters say: Taste the Reconciliation - with the Doha Agreement Cone. From the BBC: Iran’s Lebanese ‘aircraft carrier’

Bush Administration in freefall

Freefall is the buzzword for the bush administration. DailyKos used it to describe the Bush foreign and domestic policy. Recent events in Lebanon were the last straw, when the US was unable to do anything. Freefall means countries are ignoring the US. A post mortem would enquire just what the original aims of the Bush administration were. The aims would seem to be unattainable as they were infinite conquest. Which leaves the question, were they in touch with reality? Or were they so far removed from the realities of the world we live in. Now a court of justice generally knows, that when a criminal has been caught at one thing, they are likely to have committed a lot more crimes. The clamours for justice will get some results. But the whole charade of these wars means the system also has to be overhauled. The arguments of democracy and freedom of speech didn’t work, nor did different branches of Government policing each other work. When faced with the rancour of justice seekers, clearly another war might seem an attractive distraction. But it is impossible to beat Iran! On a conventional basis it has a massive ability to retaliate. If it were obliterated by WMD then there would be a backlash from the rest of the world. The solution is for every nation to be one nation amongst others. Mostly Israel and the US.

Israel without America

Bush himself said in his address to the Israeli parliament that there are those that call for distancing the US from Israel. http://morris108.wordpress.com/2008/05/15/bush-says-us-not-break-ties-with-israel/
Three major Israeli writers have just written the same thing:
Uri Avneri http://morris108.wordpress.com/2008/05/18/israels-billionaires-backers-avnery/
Gideon Levy http://morris108.wordpress.com/2008/05/11/haaretz-to-us-lets-part-as-friends/
Nahum Barnea of Yediot Ahronot http://www.prospectsforpeace.com/2008/05/mr_adelson_goes_to_israel.html
Today Rootless Cosmopolitan is also writing it is everyones go your own way time: ” Bush, like Bin Laden, on the Sidelines “
And I wrote about it a month ago. http://morris108.wordpress.com/2008/04/27/dear-israel-its-goodbye-america-time/
Frankly it means no world war. As long as there was an alliance between the Anglo Saxons: The US, Australia, the UK and Israel. It meant war after war. The relics of the Bush administration as in Condi Rice still bemoan when peaceful agreements are reached, like the one in Lebanon now.
Unfortunately, the Israelis think only the right can make peace, So all eyes are on a successor to Olmert, and people will think the Likud types are the answer.
They say Begin made the peace with Egypt, well Avnery points out Egypt had offered the peace before there was a war with Egypt.
Israel needs a humanist government that genuinely recognises the Arabs as fellow humans. Not as objects for manipulation and exploitation. To which most Israelis say, “thanks but no thanks” in other words that would take effort on everybodies part. Well that is what is needed.
And did Sharon make the peace? No he withdrew and built walls.
Of course the right can deal with the settlers better than the left. But that is no reason to make distasteful peace agreements.

Golan Heights to go back to Syria from Israel

Syria to get the Golan heights back? Here are some snippets of articles all saying the same thing.

It wouldn’t be wise to make a bet either way. Assuming everything stays the same, perhaps it is possible. What could change a plan for peace? Gaza or Lebanon flaring up would change things. Syria has also stated a just solution to the Palestinian issue is necessary.

So it is looking like all or nothing. A comprehensive peace with all of Israel’s enemies or none. Iran is too clever to be left out, and is clever enough to take a diminished role as well. Its strength is anyway growing in Iraq.

Another issue which could upset the apple cart. That is; unrest in the US. sods law could prevail, feeling like an attack from behind, the American people tire of rising prices, the diminishing dollar and civil rights.

Then the US crumbles as a Middle East power.

Would Israel be clever enough to take a diminished Middle East role?

To be just another small nation in the Middle East.

Or will it accept nothing less than an economic hegemony.

Trade is the cement for peace agreements, Israel would like oil flowing from Iraq. In the Camp David agreements with Egypt, Israel secured guarantees for Egyptian oil.

Water is the most important issue of all and Syria and Lebanon have more water than Israel. Perhaps Israel will insist on water?

Following the whole thought process through leaves me wondering about the settlements, they are the issue that leave a good or bad taste, after the signing.

It would seem that US policy is acting in tandem with Israeli policy (surprise surprise):

Re Syria’s policy to the US…

Lebanon map and its divisions

http://middeno.wordpress.com has a very informative web site on what is going on in Lebanon. Today they referred to an Economist article  with these images in it:

 

 

http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=11368030

I am posting this as a protest for having any affiliation with an Arab undermined.

Israel was expected to intervene in the Lebanon fighting.

Franklin Lamb is saying that Israel was expected to intervene in the recent Lebanon fighting. But in the event Hezbollahs actions were so quick and effective, that Israel got cold feet. Lamb’s speciality throughout this Lebanese upheaval has been thorough and streetwise. It all leaves one wondering what the schemers were concocting in Jerusalem this week.
http://www.counterpunch.org/lamb05162008.html
May 16, 2008
A Sudden Case of Cold Feet
Did Hezbollah Thwart a Bush/Olmert Attack on Beirut?
By FRANKLIN LAMB
This week Israel’s Military Intelligence Chief, Major General Amos Yadlin complained to the Israeli daily Haaretz that “Hezbollah proved that it was the strongest power in Lebanon… stronger than the Lebanese and had it wanted to take the government it could have done it,” He said Hezbollah, continued to pose a “significant” threat to Israel as its rockets could reach a large part of Israeli territory.”
Yadlin was putting it mildly.
But what Intelligence Chief Yadlin did not reveal to the Israeli public was just how “significant” but also “immediate” the Hezbollah threat was on May 11. Nor was he willing to divulge the fact that he received information via US and French channels that if the planned attack on Lebanon’s capitol went forward that Tel Aviv was subject, in the view of the US intelligence community to “approximately 600 Hezbollah rockets in the first 24 hours in retaliation and at least that number on the following day”.
The Israeli Intel Chief also declined to reveal that despite Israel’s recent psyche-war camping about various claimed missile shields “the State of Israel is perfecting”, that this claim is being ridiculed at the Pentagon. “Israel will not achieve an effective shield against the current generation of rockets, even assuming no technological improvements in the current rockets aimed at it, for another 20 years.
(Go to counterpunch to read the rest, Link above)

Baalbeck, Baalbek Lebanon, Largest hewn stone in world.

BaalBeck means Sun Temple. The Phoenicians were there from perhaps 2,000 BC. But like Stonehenge and the Pyramids I and many others believe these giant relics are much older than historians would have us believe. The Sphinx is now generally accepted to be from 10,000 BC. I think, think along those lines, pre 10,000 BC. http://www.andrewcollins.com and http://www.grahamphillips.net are two web sites of pioneer archeologist and earth mystery people. Glaring evidence of our civilised hubris is evident when we go to major museums in the UK, and the exhibits start with the Romans. Druids and Stonehenge are often not represented.

Map of Lebabon, 2002. Photo Credit: The University of Texas at Austin.

http://bbsnews.net/article.php/2007061320500060

Anyway BaalBeck has enormous temples and large stone structures. This one shaped stone (thought to be the heaviest in the world) weighs around 1,000 tons. It was partially taken out of its quarry to be taken up to the Sun Temple, where other similar large stones are. But for some reason the whole effort was aborted. There is no evidence of how the stones were moved!

http://www.thefutureisnigh.com/gallery/baalbeck.jpg

I think Baalbeck is a stronghold of Hizbollah, thankfully the ruins were not bombed in the wars (as far as I know). Nearby there are Marijuana fields. They have been there since before Hizbollah evolved.

http://www.cominganarchy.com/syria_diary/lebanon.htm

Bush in Israel

Israel where is the soul searching?
The most unpopular man in the most unpopular place.
Being loyal to one’s friends makes sense.
Sinking with them is a little more dubious.
Israel and the Jews have it in them to change coats. To change direction. To experience an awakening. Israel is known for dynamic political changes.
What is being cemented now with Bush’s visit?
A hubris, a blatant disregard for all the rest of humanity.
There will be some spin, just to ‘cover oneself’ by the Israelis. Maybe more revelations about Olmerts supposed corruption. ‘Supposed’ because it is simply a political tool.
I guess none of us know what goes on on these presidentail visits. There are also Hundreds of big wigs making deals and laying out strategies.
Hizbollahs recent show of strength was not part of the plan.
The old racism, imperialism and supremacist ideology will try to find more ways. What a party they will have. Devising more killing and bombing and what crumbs to offer the imagined defeated. In other words expect more fiascos from more of the same thinking.
They are sitting on top of a mountain that is melting.
They are talking about Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, Iran, Syria, etc.
Wouldn’t it be nice to imagine a dramatic announcement? it is extremely unlikely. Bush is there for three days, then two days with Palestinians in Egypt. It is a long time. They must have some expectations, and Carter’s shuttling was not for nothing. But the Hizbollah provocation did not go to plan.
To get a rabbit out of the hat, they will have to include Hamas, Hizbollah and Syria.
Fat chance ……

Press TV: Israel wary of Hizbollah

Israel wary of Hezbollah military might

Israeli officials have expressed concern over Hezbollah’s military strength after it took control of west Beirut just in three days.

Israeli war minister Ehud Barak on Sunday called the situation in Lebanon “a serious development” following a series of deadly clashes between supporters of the ruling bloc and the Hezbollah-led opposition.

http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=55244&sectionid=351020203

Druze moving towards supporting Hizbollah

Chief among those blamed is Walid Jumblatt, known as “the weather vane”, given his history of changing his political stance depending on the current power alignment, and who is expected to seek a deal with Hezbollah in a bid to keep some position in the coming new government. It was just 36 months ago that Jumblatt was praising Hezbollah as the legitimate Lebanese Resistance and he may return to that position as he appears ready to give up his role in the Welch Club and try to save his leadership role in the deeply fractured Druze community. Hezbollah will now dry up Jumblatt’s power and shut him up. The Party will very likely force him to reconcile with the—as of this morning—much stronger Druze leader Talal Arslan, Hezbollah’s ally, who is getting credit for arranging last night’s ceasefire and presumably saving many Druze lives.

Hezbollah support in the Druze community is growing rapidly this morning.

http://www.counterpunch.org/lamb05122008.html

Jumblatt speaks on uruknet

Jumblatt:

“I am a hostage now in my home in Beirut,” he said over the telephone to his rival Nabih Berri, the speaker of parliament and a top opposition leader, while TIME waited nearby for an interview. “Tell [Hizballah leader] Sayeed Hassan Nasrallah I lost the battle and he wins. So let’s sit and talk to reach a compromise. All that I ask is your protection.” ……

Sitting in his garden terrace in Beirut, with just a few family members and loyal retainers, Jumblatt is quickly coming to grips with the new political landscape. “The U.S. has failed in Lebanon and they have to admit it,” he said. “We have to wait and see the new rules which Hizbollah, Syria, and Iran will set. They can do what they want.“

http://www.uruknet.info/?p=m43964&hd=&size=1&l=e

Hizbollah come up trumps.

Hasn’t the Beirut saga unfolded as yet another botched Western special ops. On the eve of Bush’s visit. He only ever sabre rattles anyway. Why I am even mentioning him is a mystery to me. They botched Basra and Lebanon, basically western intelligence underestimated the opposition both times, and both times the opposition ceded what they occupied. But they ceded to fellow arabs for peace, that does not mean they will to Israelis or Americans. So we can expect more botched jobs, done by botched thinkers. When the logic is faulty, then so is the manifestation. It will just be really spectacular if they hatch a botched job against Syria or Iran.

Crimes and corruptions reported that the former head of Israel’s intelligence Aaron Zeevi Farkash informed the US  “We advised the CIA not to rely on Walid Jumblatt or Saad Hariri because we tested them in 2006 and they proved helpless in the face of Hezbollah.”the Pro Western Government cannot be relied upon as they are no match for Hizbollah.

This proved to be true by events on the ground.
Here at WordPress middeno gives a first hand account of events on the ground in Beirut, as does Franklin Lamb as published over at Countercurrents.

Nasrallah’s speech today extracts

On the telephone network:

They then said the network could be used for international
intelligence; we said that this was a sin and a waste of public money.
They looked into the matter, and it was resolved.
They then asked for a compromise: end the sit-in downtown, and we will overlook the network.
We ask, if we fulfill this, suddenly the network is not illegal and
not a waste of public money? This is not a government; this is a gang.
We told them that was blackmail.
We told them the network was part of the resistance, but the sit-in was
an opposition movement and hence not under our control anyway.
(Our network) is related to defending the country against Israel.

Jumblatt is a liar and a killer. … This is not a government, this is a gang.

We will not allow the airport to serve the CIA and Mossad, point blank.

Sectarian sedition is out of the question, and we will not use our
arms to take power by force. It will only be used to defend our arms.
After the July War, we were exposed to a billion-dollar smearing campaign. “Hezbollah is Iranian, Hezbollah is Syrian…”
Our image was not smeared, however, for our image is as bright as the sun and cannot be damaged.
Even if we disagree politically, we are brothers… There will be no Sunni-Shia strife in Lebanon.

The full transcript is here:

http://tearsforlebanon.wordpress.com/2008/05/08/nasrallah-justifies-lebanon-riots-in-speech/

Or see what Hizbollahs web site says:

http://www.almanar.com.lb/NewsSite/NewsDetails.aspx?id=43009&language=en

When is a war a war ?

For weeks there has been killings in the Gaza strip. Every other day or every day. Sometimes also inside Israel. Yesterday I think it was two Israelis killed and nine Palestinians. These are generally summarised as ‘incidents’.
Clearly there reaches a point of escalation, where it is no longer incidents.
It would be hard to imagine the Gaza conflict ever being more than a conflict, even with an invasion by Israel, the Gazan response would still be asymetrical, rather than two armies facing each other.
Although the unity between Hamas and other Arab forces is probably higher than ever. Then we could expect Hezbollah and possibly Syrian involvement. Then there is a war.
While Israel has attacked Lebanon about three times including 1982. It was nevertheless Israel invading. Israel has not been Invaded, although the Arabs tried in 73, but even that onslaught was on occupied territories.
The prospects for a war are pretty high now.

How has it all gone so wrong?

When everything is collapsing on all sides. Faulty logic is the only answer.

With the magnificence of God and Biblical people. Giving a strength to prove that all humans are weak and corruptible. That is the faulty logic. And I am not arguing that God is not magnificent, nor that the Biblical people were not amazing in their awareness.
But when granted with 100’s of millions of people who only wish to enjoy the moment, who can be baited with money, false hopes and alcohol.
Then we arrive at todays situation.
Where we have to hate the enemy. An enemy we have created, over and over again. Hezbollah must be the enemy number 1. It is well known that 3 decades ago they were impoverished farmers and non militant. Apart from riding roughshod over them, shooting at everything and anything. Israel also took their people back and put them in prisons. Without charges or trials.
Outlaw Hamas, Outlaw concerns for humanity, punish opposition through the family. It is now the 11th hour. Being dictated to by men with grand plans, they were dangerous with their delusions, there is a risk they will be more so when faced with loss of power.
Seeking justice and war crimes trials won’t work. Acquiescing to Iran will. In fact Iran ceded the war to ‘the great satan’. Well let’s take a leaf out of their book, it seems to work.
To replicate the biblical way is a noble cause. To aspire to be like them is admirable. It is also an individual quest, not defined by ritual. May the Jewish religion live long and prosper. But how have murderous villains taken over the decision making? It’s a blip in history, and the moment is urgent.

Der Spiegal has an interview with Ehud Barak.

The Israelis call him the defence minister, the Iranians call him the war minister.
He did not present a new vision, and what western leader does?
Anyway following on the heals of the Israeli PM visiting Germany (in part to hurry up the delivery of a couple of submarines) and Merkels praising visit to Israel, to which Avneri said , ‘ she’s no friend of Israel’ cause she’s suppporting a government whose policy is leading to an abyss. The gist of Avneri’s Haaretz ad was saying a friend is a critic, who might have some uncomfortable truths. Not a ‘yes sir, as you head for a disaster’.
Anyway Ehud Barak just seems and sounds like more of the same, he even quotes Sharons actions, departing from Gaza. Speigel’s journalists never asked about the dead and imprisoned Palestinian women and children. They did plug him about the settlements, he agrees some withdrawal is necessary but he wants to avoid confrontation, ‘and not evacuate children by force’. Perhaps in these situations the interviewee is given the questions prior to the interview. Yes he was articulate, yet didn’t say a thing, except perhaps when asked about the potential of Hamas being in power, he said dictating to others doesn’t work in the Middle East, it didn’t work in Afghanistan nor in Iraq.
But even this is: ‘acknowledging after the fact’.
Which just about says it all.
It’s as if he is in an inner circle which extends around the Globe. As if his hands are tied, in no small measure by settlers and their sympathisers.
Oh ya, and he’s against Hamas.
Israel is just and only about security. It doesn’t know how to take the next step. To step into the status of a liberal non combatant country.

Der Spiegal interview

Footnote:
Here are some excerpts from an Avneri article less than a month old. I only found it while looking for the previous source of the above Avneri comment. And consider that I could be taking these excerpts out of context.

Barak took care not to speak about persons “with blood on their hands”, but about those “with Jewish blood on their hands”. Jewish blood, of course, is quite different from any other blood. And indeed, there is no person in the Israeli leadership with so much blood on his hands as him. Not abstract blood, not metaphorical blood, but very real red blood. In the course of his military service, Barak has personally killed quite a number of Arabs. Whoever shakes his hand - from Condoleezza Rice to this week’s honored guest, Angela Merkel - is shaking a hand with blood on it.
……..
and from the same article:

A PROPOS: who is really in charge in Israel at this time?

This week’s events point to the answer: the man who makes the decisions is Ehud Barak, the most dangerous person in Israel, the very same Barak who blew up the Camp David conference and persuaded the entire Israeli public that “we have no partner for peace”.

2052 years ago today, on the Ides of March, Julius Caesar was assassinated. Ehud Barak sees himself as a latter-day local replica of the Roman general. He, too, would dearly want to report: “I came, I saw, I conquered.”

But the reality is rather different: He came, he saw, he destroyed.

Knock knock knocking on war’s door

If only one could believe the Israelis saying their military drills, are to learn how to deal with a defense against missiles. In reality. could they ever be more ready to attack than when they are mobilised in formations? Well only if you think like the old guard. The old guard is used to trampling over willy nilly civilians, in their pursuit of conquest. Although some noteworthy exceptions: Lebanon 06, Syria 82 (Bekaa Valley), and also the Egyptians crossing the Suez.
Really the Israelis are in no position to attack, well certainly not in terms of troops in the front line, I wouldn’t want to advise on better methods, but the troops in the north are nothing but targets, they might be able to conquer the Druse of the Golan, who are already conquered.
And why has Israel gone into the north of Gaza in the last 24 hours? It’s still bluff and bravado, but they are acting with the military.
No one is listening to Avneri : ‘If Kant were dug up tomorrow and asked about the Palestinians, he would probably answer: “Give them what you think should be given to everybody, and don’t wake me up again to ask silly questions.”
And why Tony Karon is writing about economic warfare, when the news is not new, is a mystery, it might mean the policy has failed, is ineffective. It is for a reason! Austria last year, Switzerland this year. Maybe there is an imminent announcement regarding the Iranian Oil bourse. Although it has already officially opened after many delays, it has perhaps only been treading water. While googling this, even main stream oil publications were pondering conspiracy theories about the cut data cables.
Ex president Katsav was accused of rape etc, in the midst of the Lebanon war, there can be little doubt that he was out of line with the powerful in Israel. Maybe he was advocating going nuclear, who knows? Well he just withdrew his plea bargain, which means he has hardened his stance. Maybe he feels vilified.
If any war mongers want to pull a trigger, there is no easier time than when troops and nation are mobilised. Ignoring what is being said is the key to understanding. Immediately before Israel bombed Syria last year, it was making explicit peace overtures.
I glanced a headline: ‘Jordan demining borders’, well well well … The Golan and Lebanon must be impassable. –

Hezbollah: Israel preparing for war Mon, 07 Apr 2008 02:31:17

Press TV

Sheikh Naim Kassem

Hezbollah’s deputy leader Sheikh Naim Kassem says Israel’s new military exercises are intended to prepare for a new war on Lebanon.

Sheik Naim Kassem also warned that Hezbollah is fully prepared to defend Lebanon if Israel attacks again.

“These drills are part of preparations for war because Israel is always in a warlike situation,” Kassem told a rally south of Beirut on Sunday.

It is more believable than not. Israel is unlikely to act alone. Does it have allies in Lebanon? It has US forces in Iraq and in the Med. In the event of tension, there will be a time slot for UN forces to leave, and in that time slot, world opinion can go against Israel, but it could manifest in China & Saudi threatening to drop their $ holdings, which takes the rug from under the US’ feet. They are actually funding the Iraq war with the US debt they buy.
Suez in 56 fell flat because of the time it took before the war started.
Surely they wouldn’t leave all the UN forces there? It takes time to move them.

Maliki’s assualt on Basra: A signature tune for the Western approach.

We can expect a repeat episode in Lebanon. Militias interfere in Hizbollah’s activities. While failing, Israel comes to their aid, and this is the beginning of things spiralling out of control.