The following article appears in today’s edition of Crikey:
Antony Loewenstein, blogger, journalist and author of the forthcoming My Israel Question:
Israel’s war against Hamas and Hezbollah is the latest sign of a US-backed client state that is truly out of control. The abduction of three Israeli soldiers in the last weeks was the supposed catalyst for the latest upsurge in violence, but we should be under no illusion as to the real agenda. The Jewish state aims to redesign the Middle East through the barrel of a gun, imposing its will through the killing of civilians and destruction of civilian infrastructure. The result will be the strengthening of both Hamas and Hezbollah, and rising stature of Syria and Iran.
Haaretz writer Gideon Levy despaired yesterday that Israel had undertaken a “war of choice”. “The IDF [Israel Defence Force] absorbed two painful blows, which were particularly humiliating”, he wrote, “and in their wake went into a war that is all about restoring its lost dignity, which on our side is called ‘restoring deterrent capabilities.’”
Israeli, Palestinian and Lebanese civilians are the victims of an Israeli defence establishment that still believes, despite decades of policy failure, that “terrorists” must be liquidated in every corner of the region, whatever the political cost. Isi Leibler, former head of Australia’s Zionist lobby, recently argued in the Jerusalem Post that, “the responsibility for casualties, even innocent bystanders, will rest entirely with the terrorists and the Palestinian leaders who enable them to carry out their barbaric acts. And if by doing so we will create a new wave of international anti-Israeli condemnation, so be it.”
This arrogance can only breed because of seemingly open-ended US support, a situation that is unsustainable due to the growing political strength of the US Arab and Muslim populations. The clock is ticking on the blank cheque offered to every Israeli manoeuvre, no matter how provocative or illegal.
Australia, not unlike many other Western nations, still sees Israel as the plucky, defenceless nation in the heart of a dangerous Middle East. It is an illusion that holds no credibility. A negotiated settlement to the current crisis should be a priority, the release of untold number of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails – many of whom are arrested and never even face court – and cessation of cross-border, state terrorism.
The uncontrolled policies of the Israeli government should now be seen as a danger to enlightened citizens and governments across the globe.
“The Jewish state aims to redesign the Middle East through the barrel of a gun, imposing its will through the killing of civilians and destruction of civilian infrastructure. The result will be the strengthening of both Hamas and Hezbollah, and rising stature of Syria and Iran.”
Could we get a few thoughts on the redesign ?
Syria to get a new leader ? Iran to be bombed ?
Lebanon to hold fresh elections within 3 months ?
Anything?
There is no blueprint, only madness in the method. The idea is to achieve politicide, since no Arab leader, of whatever ideology, can champion the Israeli cause. So no leader is to emerge, except those that don’t care a hoot about western public opinion and who can be demonised as savages. The hope is that from the chaos, a stronger Israel will emerge. It is an insane strategy, and the last roll of the dice for Israel. The theory is that the Arabs are so backward that they are unable to devise tactics that can inflict reall damage to Israel. How wrong they are, Israel will find itself in a cauldron from which it will never emerge.
I think Anthony is wrong, although they are allies, Israel does not take orders from the US. This propensity to blame the US for all Israel’s atrocities seems to be the prevailing thesis amongst Chomsky adherents. It is probably residual ethnocentrism, but hardly a fatal sin. Someone has to stand up for the Jews, and personnally, rather them than the unreconstructed Racist Israel uber alles crowd.
well to say there is no blue print is naive at best,
take for example this 1996 document
on a New Israeli Strategy Toward 2000,
http://www.iasps.org/strat1.htm
of course the issue of syrian targets in lebanon was removed with the hariri assasination which syria obviously commited because they wanted to totally screw up there position in lebanon and increase they’re chances of being obliterated by america
it is influenced and predated by
A Strategy for Israel in the 1980s
http://cgi.stanford.edu/group/wais/cgi-bin/index.php?p=2248
http://www.the7thfire.com/new_world_order/zionism/zionist_plan_for_the_middle_east.htm
and of course that doesnt cover the attempts to provoke syria and iran,
isnt it obvious enough, iran does not want war with america or israel,
america is doing everything it can with its special friend israel to create war with iran,
you would have to have a viewpoint so warped as to be deranged not to be able to see this from western media coverage,
and listening to the likes of captain and viva peace is like seeing the adoring cheering crowds on the side of the road as the nazis parade past, on the way to attack everyone because they’re culture and values were better
Hmmm what could be Israel’s agenda. Could it be to wipe out its 600 million neighbours? Or could it be to live in peace. No that would be too simple and it lacks a conspiracy. Only conspiracies carry any weight here.
Smiths , thanks ,another great article in the http://www.iasps.org/strat1.htm link.
No amount or military victories will ensure peace ? Weird,sort of mystical thinking .
I’m not sure the mullahs in Tehran won’t risk a limited military engagement . Solidifies their backing , exposes the weakness of the other if the ruling elite survive and as a stategy it is tried and true rulers in many different places.
I’m also thinking the Haaretz articles about it being a cover to delay action on the nuclear issue may have some validity .Very risky plan of course.
Captain Maggot is at it again,
Could it be to wipe out its 600 million neighbours?
Isrfael has never wanted peace, becasue it was never willing to pay the price for peace.
Israel’s actions speak louder than words. They bombed the beach in Gaza and lied aboit it. They atatcked Hamas under teh guide of resuing an IDF soldeir, but noen of their actions are consistent with a rescue mission.
They attacked Lebanon, then Hezbollah captures 2 more IDf soldiers adn now Israel is arguing that it is destroying Lebanon becase of the capture of those soldiers. Another proveable lie.
Pull your head out of your arse Captain.
I so agree with the comments made on this topic (apart from Captain) and I can’t believe people usually classify these reports as conspiracy theories when in fact they make more sense when you see the same reports actually being put into place.
Like take for example Iraq, before 9/11 which created the perfect foundation to get the “long war into action, in reshaping Middle East” there were reports emerging that George W Bush coming into power would mean completing the work his farther had started. Anyway the reports before 9/11 circulating was that Israel had regional enemies and their most deadly from the list (of Arab countries) was Iraq.
The reports indicated that to diminish the treat from Iraq, Iraq would need to be divided into 3 states, North would be for the Kurdish, the middle would be for Sunni population and the South would be for the Shias. Well today we see that taking shape by Sunni fighting with the north and south in practically a civil war. A civil war is needed before the leaders are pushed into defining Iraq into 3 states once again (just like a World War was needed to break the Ottoman Empire into mini states, weakening the threat from a long time enemy called Islam).
So, what an excuse Israel has (supported wholeheartedly by the western powers) to win public support from the western nations in thinking that Israel is the poor country which is fighting for its very existence. The reality is far from it. Iraq does not even have a Police force let alone an International army, it cannot control the affairs in its own back garden let alone attack Israel now. So Iraq is practically ticked off from the Israel enemy list. Who’s next?
Attacking Iran and Syria is not that simple as one of these two countries are next on this enemy list, but indirectly dragging them in will always work. Today’s news reports keep emphasizing that the weapons arsenal Hezbollah have are given by Syria or Iran, well what about the arsenal Israel has? Has that not come from America to be used at Israel’s will on the Muslims? So just like Israel is hating Iran and Syria likewise people of the Arab nation are hating Israel and America for a joint effort in reshaping the Arab land once again after World War I and II.
No one can predict every step of this recent deliberate war started by Israel, but one can be sure that its not just about Israel soldiers being kidnapped but rather a perfect excuse to set yet again new foundations which will change the Middle East once again.
If it has taken couple of Israel soldiers to be captured for this war to have started, how simple do you think it will be to drag Iran and Syria into this conflict? This conflict is World War 2.5 (without Syria and Iran) but very soon it will become World War 3.
I guess by destroying Lebanon (and its entire infrastructure) maybe some miracle way in eliminate Hezbollah or at least from Israel and western view point. The current action from Israel (and its supporters) will only increase the urge for the Muslims to re-establish an Islamic State with one nation (much like Ottoman Empire) which was at least more secure than the current situation that the divided Muslim nations face.
To the author of this article/blog keep up the good work, and I will be sending my mates your blog url as I find it very interesting indeed.
The price for peace has been laid bare – territory – my Zinazi fascist maggot.
Israel is not defending itself. It is the Lebanese who are being evacuated, not Israel. It is Lebanon being destroyed nto Israel.
Since when does defending Israel include ordering 20 villages to leave their homes then as they are leaving, have an Israeli F-16 bomb the convoy and incinerate the occupants. That’s pure, outright and wanton murder – and boy you are so enjoying it aren’t you Captain?
Israel should declare it;s borders if it really wants to defend them – but then again, maybe Israel considers Gaza and Lebanon to reside within those borders.
Welcom Adam,
Good to have you here. Ignore Captain – he’s a mentally deranged patient who refuses to take his medicatino , but he is entertaining.