Israeli Purpose Clear; Arabs Panicking

As everyone knows, the battle between Israel and Hezbollah rages on. I, for one, hope that Israel eradicates the Hezbollah infestation that has been plaguing her, and it seems that Ehud Olmert is determined to do just that.

In a statement yesterday at the Knesset, Olmert said that although Israel has been continually threatened, she will not back down from fighting terrorists.

From Arutz Sheva:

"Our enemies were mistaken to think that our desire to show restraint was a sign of weakness," Olmert boomed. In a reiteration of his refusal to negotiate with Hizbullah or Hamas prior to the release of the kidnapped soldiers, Olmert said: "It is of regional and international interest to control and dismantle the terror organizations and remove this threat from the Middle East. We intend to do so." Olmert explicitly pointed the finger at Iran and Syria, saying Hizbullah and Hamas "are nothing but emissaries, sent and supplied by enemies of peace in Tehran and Damascus." He also said that even if Lebanon had involvement in last Wednesday's attack on an IDF patrol along the northern border, which killed eight soldiers and resulted in the kidnapping of two others, "it holds full responsibility for the attack launched from its sovereign territory and the same goes for the PA with regard to the Kerem Shalom attack." "Opposite the Palestinians we will fight until terrorism ceases, Gilad Shalit is brought home and the Kassam rockets stop," Olmert said. "We will attack every terrorist staging area, destroy every terrorist base and liquidate members of the terror groups. Israel will not agree to live in the shadow of the threat of missiles and rockets on its citizens! Our position in the north was backed up by the G8 yesterday," he continued. "We demand a complete end to hostilities, the return of the two kidnapped soldiers and the compliance with the relevant UN resolutions. We withdrew to recognized borders according to the entire international community." Olmert recited the Mishebeirach, the prayer for Divine protection for the IDF during his speech from the Knesset podium. "I am more proud today than any other day in my life to be a citizen of the State of Israel," Olmert concluded. "We will not surrender and we will not back down."

I must admit that with the Gaza withdraw, and Ehud Olmert taking office with a seemingly mousey attitude, I was worried about whether or not Israel would be bullied by her Muslim neighbors. However, this looks like a good sign that Olmert's resolve is firm.

And while thousands rally outside of the UN building in New York to show support for Israel (I'm sure Koffe Anon is just loving that!), in Sydney, Australia over 1,000 Aussies signed a petition in support of Israel. In Berlin,however, more than 1,000 Lebanese and Palestinians in Germany staged an anti-Semitic protest outside the Brandenburg Gate on Monday. Demonstrators chanted "death to Israel," "down with the USA" (Hey, waittaminute! How did we get included with this?) and "death to Zionists," while carrying signs that said things like "HypocriSyria," and images of the Hezbollah leader.

Ironically, the 'protest' took place very near to a Holocaust memorial.

While all of this demonstrating was going on, Iranian Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi made a snide little comment to the media:

"Today, the global axis of evil: the U.S., the Zionists, and Britain; are showing their true colors of world devouring and exploitation through their occupation and the killing of defenseless people."

Huh? Defenseless? I guess those Khartoum rockets are firing themselves into the civilian Israeli population.

Safavi went on to promise Israel "disgraceful defeat" if they don't stop attacking Hezbollah.

"The problem of the usurper regime of Israel is that it is facing a powerful and invisible army called the Islamic resistance Hezbollah of Lebanon. It is better if the Zionists end their attacks on the Gaza Strip and against Lebanon and release Palestinian and Lebanese prisoners to reach a ceasefire before they face a disgraceful defeat", Safavi said.

HAHAHAHA!!! I know, I know... Your head is about to pop off your shoulders! But wait, it gets better: Safavi also said that the US gave Israel permission to attack Lebanon, claiming that "The US created this event to cover up its defeat in Afghanistan and Iraq."

HAHAHAHA!!! He sounds a lot like Baghdad Bob, doesn't he? We are defeated, and Israel is saving face for us and at the same time quenching their thirst for Muslim blood? Whoo-hoo, it doesn't get more rich than that!

Yet despite Israel's supposed impending defeat, and the"powerful and invisible army called the Islamic resistance Hezbollah," Iran stated in their weekly press digest that they would support "comprehensive plans" to end the fighting in Lebanon, under the condition that the "legitimate demands of the resistance (Hezbollah) were realised." Of course. Leave it to Iran to give us ultimatums. Who would've seen that one coming?

But why bother, Iran? The "Zionists" are destined by Allah to win, right?

President Bush advised the Arab League (Anyone else notice how similar their flag looks to the U.N.'s?) yesterday that the conflict in Lebanon is not likely to be resolved until Israel eliminates the Hezbollah threat.

One senior Arab diplomat said the answer lies in Washington: "Just like only [President] Nixon could go to China, only Bush can push Israel."

I don't see how. Isreal has taken our advice to "show restraint" long enough, and look where it's gotten them. They aren't going to stop until they are secure.

From CNN.com:

The Arab League -- plus, in separate statements, Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia -- put the onus on Hezbollah for igniting the violence.But now Arab diplomats are afraid this is being used as justification for the continued Israeli operations in Lebanon. The longer the operations go on, diplomats say, it will be increasingly difficult for Arab leaders to put the blame on Hezbollah, because ongoing violence will fuel anti-Israeli public opinion in their countries. Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit and Intelligence Minister Omar Suleiman are in Washington and plan to meet with Rice and other U.S. officials Tuesday. European and Arab countries are making a big push for deeper U.S. engagement -- specifically a tougher stand with Israel. While they understand the United States has asked Israel to be selective in targeting infrastructure and to strive to protect civilians, Arab officials said the pictures airing on news channels indicate this is not happening, and the United States is seen as giving Israel a green light.

Let me get this staight. They want us to push Israel to "show restraint," but NO ONE is willing to tell Hezbollah to cut it out?

Also, I thought we are the 'Great Satan.' The Arab League must be pretty damned desperate to try and cut a deal with the devil.

I just hope the U.N. keeps it's nose out of the Israeli's business... They are considering deploying a "stabilizing force" on the Lebanese/Israeli border.

Uh-huh. I'm sure that will be totally fair. Anyone else think that the stabilization force wouldn't be on Hezbollah so much as the "Zionists"?

Hold on to your hats, folks... This is set to get a lot more interesting!