Daily Star – Lebanon
Nov 27 2008

Has Barak considered the sweeping implications of his threats?

By The Daily Star
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Editorial

Israel’s defense minister, Ehud Barak, and other officials and
military officers have made a point recently of threatening to attack
Lebanese civilians with even greater ferocity than in the past if and
when a new war takes place between the two countries. Several factors
indicate that the Israelis have not fully thought through their stated
policy and its consequences, but a few stand out above the rest.

First, the trend in the region is obviously toward compromise, not
escalating rhetoric and renewed confrontation. The incoming president
of the United States has said that he will engage with Iran, the
Armenians and the Turks appear to be reconciling, some long-estranged
Lebanese are talking among themselves, and even the Israelis are
negotiating with the Syrians via the good offices of Ankara. The
Israelis’ comments about Lebanon therefore sound a highly discordant
note.

Second, the threats are a virtual request for pariah status in the
wake of any new war. With so much public evidence of premeditation,
Israel’s political and military leaders will be even less credible
than usual when they argue that the civilian casualties they caused
were inadvertent. Already, several serving and former officers can no
longer travel to some European countries (e.g. the United Kingdom);
this can only get worse if the recent threats are acted upon.

Third, implementing the standard being laid down by Barak and the
others would be tantamount to declaring open season on Jewish
colonists in the West Bank and the Golan Heights, and even on
residents of Israel "proper." Can this really be what the Israelis
want?

Finally, admitting to and then carrying out a plan for the slaughter
of Lebanese civilians would constitute a direct assault on the
aforementioned trend toward compromise. This newspaper can think of no
better way to empower radicals like Osama bin Laden and facilitate the
recruitment of young men to his Al-Qaeda organization and likeminded
groups. If that is the goal, why not just send them some money and
host their websites? It would accomplish the same goal, be less
expensive by any measure, and spare Israeli officials the stain of
more war crimes on their records.

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From: Baghdasarian