[Safe-Keeper]

The Israeli government is way out of line and always has been. They care nothing about international law, Geneva Conventions, innocents, or the safety of aid-workers (in fact, they're deliberately targetting Red Crescent forces trying to aid the Lebanese). They'd have zero right to do what they're doing in Lebanon even if they didn't intentionally target civilian infrastructure, massacre civilians, and fire at Red Crescent ambulances.

The tragedy is that Lebanon is "held hostage" by Iran and Syria. But Israel cant stand a situation of being attacked and fired upon civilan settlements, no other country would act differently no matter what their leaders say. Hizbulla must be disarmed and the Lebanese army must take its place on the south border.

Blah, blah, blah. Same old jargon from all Israel-supporters: "They've got the right to defend themselves, what are they supposed to do, Hezbollah is evil"... I've heard it all before.

And it's all nonsense. Israel is targetting not only roads, bridges, and power plants, but also ambulances, schools, universities, hospitals, banks, and other civilian targets. And you have the balls to say that they're doing the right thing because Hezbollah attacked their civilian settlements? Israel's doing more damage to the innocents in Lebanon than Hezbollah ever could do to Israel.

Over 1/3 of the victims of the Israeli holocaust (no way am I calling this series of terrorist attacks anything else) are children. Is that a good way of fighting terrorism? Is that what you call a just response to having two of your precious fellow landsmen kidnapped? I say poppycock.

"No other nation would do otherwise"? I'd be very, very scared if that was true. See, I think most nations out there have the decency to not run amok and slaughter as many civilians as they can when someone does something to them. "Oh my God, these evil anti-Semittic terrorists killed some of our civilians! Let's slaughter 1000 times more of their innocents! That'll teach 'em!". Israel's a rogue state completely out of control, and I think "certain people" need to realize that terrorism is not a disease - it's a symptom.

There's no way in the Hot Place Israel is doing this to get rid of Hezbollah. Their actions will never end Hezbollah, HAMAS, or any other anti-Israeli organization - it'll just strenghten their resolve.

If the Lebanese start taking responsibility for the actions of Hizbullah and all the other international terror organizations that their government supports (though taxes), then sure. I'd support sending aid to Lebanon.

Excuse me?! Are you saying that they don't deserve aid because they support Hezbollah? That's the most cruel and cynical thing I've heard in a long time. I assume you think it's OK to void the 4th Geneva Convention and slaughter innocents, too, since they voted Hezbollah into office?

They're innocent civilians. They are not valid targets, and they need all the emergency aid they can get. That, of course, also goes for all wounded military personell - be them Israeli, Hezbollah, Neo-Nazi, North Korean, Swedish, Taliban, Nepalese, British, Australian, black, or white. I'm a Red Cross member - try to convince me otherwise (bring it on). Let's say I'm pissed at the US military's handling of Iraq - say, the Bush-authorized abuse at Guantanamo Bay, or the use of cluster bombs over civilian targets. Am I justified in blowing up a school in the United States because the Americans voted for Bush? Am I right in shooting the Red Cross when they arrive on the scene and try to help the victims of the bombings? I mean, they voted for Bush, now they need to take responsibility for it, right?

I guess -and applaud- your answer: F**k no. Then my second question is: Why's it OK when the Israelis do it to Lebanon? Why do you condemn 7/7, 9/11, the Anthrax raids, the Oklahoma Bombing, and the other numerous acts of terrorism against the USA - while at the same time supporting these acts against innocent Lebanese?

Currently I would prefer a corridor of free passage for refugees, but only if that corridor is controlled on the ground by Israeli forces, so that they can search everyone who is leaving, and filter out any Hezbolla men. If that cannot be acchieved or seems to be unacceptable for some, then I am sorry and must refuse such a corridor. The cruel logic of war.

I'm relived even you acknowledge that as cruel. The "logic" part, though, I'm having more trouble understanding.

Israel monitoring a corridor of fleeing Lebanese? When Israel's currently apparently doing all they can to kill as many Lebanese as possible? With all due respect, that'd be like putting lions to guard a goat's pen and telling them it's OK to take whatever goats they deem aggressive. Guess what would happen? The lions would suddenly realize that the whole herd of goats looked like a pack of aggressive killer goats from the Hot Place and kill them all. Likewise with Israel - they'd see a company of 1000 Hezbollah fighters trying to cross the border and turn their machine guns on them.

Have refugees be taken care of by foreign troops who make an effort to follow things like the Geneva Convention.

Safe-Keeper,
PS: Yes, I'm boycotting Israeli goods and full-heartedly supporting the major political parties in my homeland who call for a nation-wide, official boycott of Israeli goods.