?'s about Israel & Lebanon?

Question

I'm an American teen and I have a few ?'s about the conflict between Israel and Lebanon. I'm a pacifist and am against war.Why are they even fighting? What started the fighting? Why can't we all just get along? Do they even think of the children/teens in each others countries? Why were Lebanese people burning the American flag and calling us teorrist when they are fighting with Israel not us? (They were also burning the Israel flag which i could understand since they are fighting) Why do all these muslim countries hate us Americans? Not all us Americans are the same so I don't see why they have to bad mouth everyone of us Americans cause not all of us are the same. We are all different! I don't go hating muslims cause they like to bomb people. (I'm not saying all muslims bomb people but I'm talking about like the 9/11 madrid london events) Yeah Bush is an idiot and I don't blame them for hating Bush i dislike him too! I just wish everyone would get along for the sake of our future!

Just so people know i am against this war/battle. I am not choosing sides. I think both the Israelis and Lebanese are equally wrong.

Answer 1

This is a very complex question. I will need to start from the beginning, somewhere in the middle ages.

There were a large number of muslims who spread their military power and religion throughout most of the known world, even to parts of Europe including spain and France. Eventually, this led to a confrontation know as the crusades.

This was a nasty type of world war. War begins.

The world rested in a somewhat peaceful state then for quite some time. Then there where a couple of other world wars WW1 and WW2. After WW2 the state of Israel was set up and came under fire. I would say, it was justifiable war. Israel though, effectively defended itself and increased its land holdings. It was victorious, BUT gave most of its increase back. It did, however, result in a butchered up Palestinian state. I still have a problem with the cut up Palestine.

Anyway, many middle eastern people still hold the belief that Israel should be erradicated. This is really not an option from the perspective of the developed world. This is, however, a fundament reason for ongoing conflict in the region.

There has been conflict in the region ever since. Israel has really used restraint considering its considerable military might in policing militant activities. However, it is a cycle in which any activity creates more problems.

Militant organizations:

Militant organizations are often supported by better off nations. They often operate autonomously from the government or as part of it with the addition of military power. This is not normally allowed in the more developed or western world (I'm not trying to be racist in this "essay" but a generalization is neccessary). These organizations are normal to many of the people in these societies. The societies thrive on this and use the financial support they get to build infrastructure (power, roads, and whatnot) to buy loyalty from the community, which eventually leads to governmental power. Hizbollah and Hamas are like this. This is a generalization of course though, there are all kinds of militants in the middle east, from mafia type organizations, drug smugglers, freedom fighters, anarchists, and soforth. Think of a reason to hold sway over others and you probably can find an oranization.

The role of the developed world:

The developed world has long been in the middle east for its own interests. The developed world wants oil. So, it pays middle eastern countries for oil. Even countries with a dictator. This strengthens the existing government and prevents the people from changing it into a democracy. You can be sure this isn't desired. The western and "developed" world consider this a kind of necessary evil.

The middle east also see that the US is giving Israel preferential treatment. Of course the US says that Israel is an underdog democracy in the region.

This is all setting the stage for the current conflict. It is also a gross simplification...

So, Lebanon was occupied for many years by Israel. During that time Hizbollah was born and grew very large. Some estimates go as high as 40% of Lebanese are loyal to Hizbollah. They have governmental power and lots of weapons. Hizbollah continued its existence under Syria's occupation. Now, you could almost consider Lebanon to be "occupied" by Hizbollah. This is arguable, but in reality most Hizbollah in Lebabnon are citizens.

Now we get down to very recent past.

A cease fire existed between Israel and Palestine and Lebanon (Hizbollah). Hizbollah and Hamas amass military power during the cease fire, and may occasionally carry out an attack. Hizbollah captures 2 Israeli soldiers past the "blue line" (like in no-military allowed land). Israel considers this an act of war and attacks.

Here we come to the most recent "Why?" Most people believe Israel and any other country for that matter, have the right to defend themselves. This is why the US congress was firmly behind Israel, but wanted it to refrain from killing too many civilians with risky attacks.

OK, whenever this type of attack is carried out the militants take pictures of dead babies and civilians and whatnot and recruit.

Basically, there is no way to forcefully disarm Hizbollah (~40% of the Lebanese populace). In part due to cold war armaments in the region, which allows normal people to have military weapons. This leads to the current deadly situation. In which Hizbollah believes it has the right to erradicate Israel, and Israel does not want to be erradicated.

So, right now, the US is looking for a cease fire and a resolution calling for the eventual dismantlement of non-governmental militia. A multi-national force may be added to the Lebanese army to augment its power and allow Lebanon to occupy its own territory.

Things to remeber:
Lebanon has been getting screwed from decades of occupation, but didn't dismantle Hizbollah.
There are massive numbers of Palestinian refugees that claim right to land in the state of Israel.
Israel is a recognized democratic state, and is supported by most of the western world.
Israel is not recognized as a valid state by Iran and many citizen in the middle east.
Most middle eastern people are peaceful and are only pushed around by the various governmental interactions; They are oppressed.
Palestine got screwed in the first place.
There are tons and tons of military arms in the middle east.

I'm sure I left tons of stuff out. You can Email me if you have any other questions about stuff I left out and I'll add it here if I can. I've also answered other questions. etc...

Hope this helps!

Also, its too long to spell check.

Answer 2

The reason why Lebanon was burning the American flag, in addition to hate Israeli, is because US is an Israel supporter and Israel would have never started or continue the was without US blessing. And the fact that US is refusing to interfere and tell Israel to stop is inhumane and selfish. You see, when US can have someone else to fight their fights, they will not interfere. Israel has killed hundreds if not by now thousands of innocent Lebanon people, completely destroyed cities and roads, when Israeli casualties are very few. To keep current and find more about it I suggest you go to Kevin Site's hot zone in yahoo. Currently he is in Lebanon and reporting daily on the attacks against Lebanon. He also have pictures and video.


P.S. If you have such interests in the world politics at your young age (which is great) how can you love Paris Hilton? it doesn't make sense.

Answer 3

Kill the Israel it is a country that should not exit and it is a sign of a shame for all the Americans as well as humanity.

USA sells all the weapons and test it against Lebanon and Palestine.

How can Israel tell the Lebanese people to leave their town. If Iran improves in Science it is terrorism but these blady people from ours say and kill all the people in Japan with their atoms and support Israel to invade all the countries

Answer 4

Think about this:
One day, someone walks into your house and says you can only live in the kitchen because the rest will be given to another person as a compensation for the hurt they suffered in their life so far.
However, everyday that other person invades the only space you have to live and destroys what little you have.
Wouldn't you fight back?
In the only way you could?
War is awful, innocents die and they have nothing to do with it.
I haven't yet seen proof that Hezbollah' members were present in all those buildings that were attacked by Israel.
I just think they're trying to justify their invasion.
I do believe that someone who has suffered will never even think about making others suffer, so... why do Israeli's, in fact, started the war?

maybe this article written by Assistant Secretary of the Treasury in the Reagan administration can help you see the truth better :

http://www.counterpunch.com/roberts07222006.html

Answer 5

Go to wikipedia and look up Israel, Palestine, and Lebanon. It still won't explain why they are fighting, burning the US flagand all the rest. Neither of those actions are logical. But it will give you a good background about how it all got started.

Answer 6

You are hated because you have been dumbed down by your society. "I'm a pacifist and am against war" - that is your basic beleif together with most of your peers. You will not survive hunanity well with such a simplistic view. Accept it - you are just one of the stupid masses. By the way - Bush is the only one who can save you now but you will probably never understand that either.

Answer 7

Agree completely with you regarding the futility of wars.

Answer 8

yes , i agree with you, the israelis and lebanese are both moron people, they can't decide from themselves, they are easily influenced by merchants of death, whose only motive is to make a profit from their petty war.