Israel bombs Lebanon 7-19-2006

19, July 2006              Israel bombs Lebanon

The wanton destruction of the infrastructure in Gaza and now Lebanon is clear evidence that Israel is totally unconcerned that large numbers of innocent civilians are being killed and 900,000 thousand rendered homeless. During the last 24 hours Israel has destroyed a milk factory, a paper box factory, a convoy of ambulances, and 46 bridges in a grotesque show of force which has all but paralyzed Lebanon.

What is even more outrageous is the silence and complicity of our government who even went so far to oppose a UN cease fire resolution. Israel has every right to defend itself from reckless and provocative attacks from Hamas and Hezbollah but the Israeli response is totally disproportionate to the provocation. At the same time Palestinians have every right to resist an illegal occupation and seek the release of its ten thousand prisoners, many of whom have been brutally tortured.  The sad irony, is that the large scale destruction of Gaza and Lebanon will surely bolster support for Hezbollah and Hamas and create many generations of Palestinians and Lebanese who will be seething with anger and revenge and put all Israelis and Americans at considerable risk. This will continue until the American public demands an immediate halt to unconditional financial and military support for Israel.