Do you consider Israel to be a "state sponsor of terrorism"?

Question

Background: The US and Israel openly consider Iran and Syria to be "state sponsors of terrorism" because of their links to groups in the Middle East who use terrorist tactics such as suicide bombing and attacks on civilians.

Yet in the last few weeks, in response to such attacks, Israel has launched military strikes on Lebanon which have killed or wounded ambulance workers, UN representatives and Lebanese civilians, including children.

The Israeli Defence Force, which carried out these strikes, is answerable to the government of Israel. As such, wouldn't you consider Israel to be a "state sponsor of terrorism"? And by extension, what about the US, which provides political and military support to Israel?

I'm looking for serious, considered responses here - no racist or inflammatory opinions or one-word answers. Please tell me what you think, and what your perspective or background is. (Any abuse will be reported.)

Thanks!

Answer 1

Using the word "Terrorist" is a useful tool for demonizing your enemy.

If I say, the only reason you did what you did was to inspire fear in me. Then you sound like a mean, unreasonable enemy, with no greater purpose beyond hurting others.

This is a tool of psychological manipulation. And it's basically pointless to argue over who is and is not a terrorist. One man's terrorist is another's Martyr.

The US government refused to acknowledge any of the political motives of Al-Quaida, preferring to simply make them "terrorists" in the eyes of the world.

Is it okay to attack a whole country with no provocation? Apparently it was in 2003 when we attacked Iraq, I'm sure many called us terrorists for that.

Answer 2

I'm sooooo tired of questions like these. It implies that Israel has no right to defend it's sovereign lands they PURCHASED and have lived on since 1948. Further, the idea of a proportional response is foolish. If the Lebanese had stood up to Hezbollah and threw them out of their country, this would not be happening.

The truth is Israel wants to live in peace, radical Shiites and Sunnis DO NOT, they've already stated that the want to wipe Israel off the map. But anyone that believes that they'll lay down and allow another Holocaust, has a rude awakening coming...

Any that believes wars will ever be fought without civilian casualties is naive. In fact, Hezbollah purposefully plants their operatives among civilians in an effort to lessen the chances of direct assault upon them. This is the whole human shield idea and is pure cowardice.

Answer 3

You are only giving half of the story here. Hezbollah has been firing rockets into Israel. Hezbollah also moved to be amongst and around the UN Observers, just as they hide in and amongst women and children. They are cowards. I read an article on yahoo.com that talked about how surprised the Hezbollah was at the Israel reaction. I guess kidnapping is a regular thing for them. The game is to Kidnap a military person, and then use Germany as a third party to negotiate a release of Hezbollah who are in jail in Israel. Well, I guess Israel no longer wanted to play the game, especially when Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel.
This is why the US is standing behind Israel. You would do the same thing is if was in your back yard. I know I would.

Answer 4

The only difference in these fighters is that one group wears a uniform and the others don't. Both sides have soldiers fighting for what they feel is right. Yes, Israel is a terrorist nation. They also have a very short memory. They are attacking just as they were attacked 60 years ago.

Answer 5

Yes, the Israeli government is vicious and murderous. I always get a kick out of people pointing out the suicide bombers. What do you think one has to go through before he or she is willing to blow them self up? Extreme torture and oppression. If they had the US backing them with weapons and billions of taxpayer dollars as the Israelis do, they wouldn't need to resort to these sort of tactics. They are living in a state of fear, not knowing if some 18 year old kid from the IDF will decide to kill them that day. They are dying at border crossings while in need of medical attention while Israeli soldiers laugh at their tears. They are living in poverty since the Israeli government built the apartheid wall to keep them from working to support their families. School children are being gunned down by Israeli settlers on their way to school with no reprimands by the Israeli government but rather praise by them. Israel is a terrorist nation supported by our tax dollars. Now they are trying to move their property line even further into Lebanon and in the process taking thousands of innocent lives. They are using illegal weaponry such as vacuum bombs and phosphorus bombs to kill man women and children just to clear land for themselves. It is sickening that the American public is not standing up for what is right and demanding an end to this American funded war against innocents.

Answer 6

Watch International Dateline, Democracy Now, and DWTV in Germany. These may be of interest. Also, my husband 's book will be out in about 6 weeks on Amazon and Barnes and Noble THE ANALYSIS PROJECT A look at the World's politics from a spectators viewpoint by Michael Turman I know this doesn't give you a response, I just thought you would be interested

Answer 7

United States sponsored Thugs

Answer 8

I think that the US are sponsors for terrorists (Israel). Look at the manner in which they have almost decimated the lebanese killing hundreds of non-combatants.... In a vain attempt to ferret out Hezbollah... wasting millions of American Taxpayer dollars on frivolity... like... crashing two perfectly Apache Helicopters into one another at a cost of about 12 million a piece not to mention artillery shells aren't cheap.... At least the corporations are making a killing (pun intended)....

Answer 9

No, Israel is him self is suffering from these tarriest groups,like Hezbollah,Ham mass etc,and its bad luck 90% Muslim country's are sporting all these tarriest groups and now they start caring that Israel is aggressive,the same they are doing with rest of world,they kill the other people without regret and when some thing happens,hole Muslim country's be come together,Why others are not human.Simple if the treat others well they will be also treated well other wise hole world will start hating them.

Answer 10

Israel is fighting Hezbollah which has no problem using people as human shields. When Hez fires a rocket from inside an ambulance what are you supposed to do? If you don't fire back, then all Hez rockets will be fired from ambulances. Israel does its best to minimize casualties in pursuit of its objectives.