When a nation is surrounded by hostile neighbors and can expect little relief and littler support from any of the world powers, to accuse this nation of being warlike and aggressive is a bit of a fallacy. If Israel had not defended itself in the past, it would not exist today. We dwell in the only world we have. For Israel, survival means war. Nevertheless, nearly all of Israel’s campaigns have been either defensive or counteroffensive. And its few unprovoked offensives have always been strategically defensive in nature, as opposed to offensive or punitive. Despite having so many opportunities to destroy their enemies entirely, and thereby devolve into a true warmonger state, Israel has resisted temptation and remained an honorable figure.
I find it telling that nations all over the world, whilst simultaneously denouncing Israel, nevertheless take it for granted that Israel will cooperate with them and share an impressive amount of strategic information, as we saw when Israel assisted over twenty nations in evacuating their nationals during combat operations in the ongoing Lebanese campaign. We would expect no less from an honorable nation, but it is nevertheless still an impressive sight.
I also find it telling that Israel takes incredible trouble, at enormous expense, to minimize civilian casualties while targeting an enemy whose entire philosophy of warfare is to become indistinguishable from the civilian population. That chap who said a few posts ago that he thinks Israel is using Hezbollah as an excuse to attack civilians, obviously does not comprehend the strength of Israel’s full military power. Were it used indiscriminately, Hezbollah—and a great many of the Lebanese people—would already have been destroyed. But once again we would not expect an honorable nation to target civilian populations.
Israel’s enemies don’t typically bother cooperating with foreign governments to evacuate civilians from a combat zone. Nor do these radicals warn civilians in advance of significant military strikes, as Israel has done. Indeed, the modus operandi of many militant organizations is to strike without any warning at all at the most opportune targets possible. However you slice it, it isn’t just the power that is in Israel’s favor, but the honor too.
So, Zeppy, when you accuse Israel of being not without its share of the blame, you are only correct inasmuch as Israel has refused to lie down and perish. The “blame” for all this war lies entirely with the haughty Arab state tyrants of yesteryear, and the radical Islamist militants of today. Israel’s greatest fault is that it continues to allow its good name to be besmirched by people with a religious agenda.
