Another view of this articile

Submitted by Harden Ervin (United States), Jan 11, 2009 at 12:25

I was brought up to denounce violence. After witnessing life for a long time I find violence must be used to decrease violence. Let me explain myself in recent terms.

The Israeli offensive in southern Lebanon was a success. Here is why I say this. Yesterday I was listening to a Lebanon new station and was stricken of all those interviewed in southern Lebanon, a good cross section, said they did not know who fired the rockets into Northern Israel, did not want to attack Israel, did not want Israel to attack them and would even though they might disagree with the government of Lebanon, would follow its' neutral policies. In other words they did not want to be involved with the events in Gaza and did not want to have conflict in their own area, a repeat of the invasion of several years ago.

Why would this be? A large cross-section of the people interviews were Palestinians who we hear hate Israel. There is one overriding reason and one that all of us should be aware of. When Israel invaded Lebanon, they did in overwhelming force. Even though they were attacking, I hope, only military targets they destroyed much of south Lebanon and along with combatants, many innocent people outside the conflict and much infrastructure. The southern Lebanese are tired of the threat of war, their relatives and children were killed, and each time having the rebuilding their lives. It is terrible to make peace by the application of overwhelming force, but it works and it works quick.

Recently I looked a new TV report in Gaza and they used the word "the occupation" to describe Israel. I saw a news spot that highlighted a small girl in a school, between 6 and 9 and she said without prompting, that she wanted to grow up to kill Jews. These words are supporting a war that is already lost. They hate Israel more than they love their children.

Around the time that Israel was formed and Malaysia released Singapore and allowed it to become an independent nation. Singapore has no natural resources, and was mostly very poor and destitute. Since it was formed it has become the riches nation on earth, not from war, but from trading and hard work. I wonder what happened to the Palestinians. Is trying to make up for loosing a war 60 years ago worth it?

If we use south Lebanon is an example of what complete war can accomplish, the Israeli armed forces should press on and finish the job at Gaza even at the expense of the Palestinian civilian population. This overwhelming force changes attitudes, Soon. Fathers and mothers will quit teaching their children to hate Israel. They will do this because their homes will be destroyed, food will not be available, power is not there, the children might be killed; their whole life will always be upside down.

Harden Ervin

p.s. If this is what the Israeli are doing they are not Incompetence. They need to win to get this conflict over.

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