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Last update - 08:08 08/08/2008 Israel: Lebanon is responsible for Hezbollah's actions By Barak Ravid Tags: Israel, Hezbollah, Lebanon Israel will hold Lebanon responsible for any attacks against Israel, in particular for any Hezbollah efforts to avenge the death of its military leader Imad Mughniyeh. This decision on Wednesday by the security cabinet represents a change in Israeli policy, after always firmly separating Hezbollah and the Lebanese government. According to defense establishment recommendations adopted by the security cabinet, Israel will treat the Lebanese unity government, which is headed by Fouad Siniora and includes Hezbollah, as responsible for any event that takes place in its sovereign territory or events for which Lebanese nationals are responsible. A senior Jerusalem source said if Hezbollah attacks Israel from inside Lebanese territory, shoots at Israel Air Force aircraft or carries out a terror attack abroad as revenge for the Mughniyeh assassination (which it attributes to Israel), then Israel will hold Lebanon responsible and respond appropriately. In the coming weeks, Israel plans to start transmitting this message to the United Nations, United States, Russia and European nations, and primarily to Syria and Hezbollah itself. Advertisement In the Second Lebanon War, Israel avoided damaging Lebanese civilian infrastructure such as power stations, ports or government institutions, despite the recommendation of then-chief of staff Dan Halutz, due to pressure from Washington on Israel. The U.S. claimed that bombing Lebanese infrastructure would topple the moderate Siniora government. Defense officials noted in the cabinet meeting that two developments supported a change in policy. The first is the fact Hezbollah is now a partner in a Lebanese unity government and holds veto rights. The second is that the guidelines of the new Lebanese government guidelines, approved by President Michel Suleiman, allow Hezbollah to continue its military activity against Israel. The defense establishment believes these new conditions improve Israel's deterrent power as Hezbollah understands the severe ramifications of the new situation should there be any action against Israel in Lebanon or overseas. Related articles: Lebanon: Hezbollah may fight Israel to recover land Lebanon tensions grow amid specter of renewed Israel-Hezbollah fighting ANALYSIS / In Lebanon, prisoner swap is Hezbollah victory Bookmark to del.icio.us   A Model Zionist How did Bar Rafaeli conquer the U.S. blogs and gossip columns? A lost pillar Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish to be laid to rest in Ramallah, mourned for 3 days.   1.   Thats the best action from Israel since years. 04:58  |  JP 08/08/08   2.   Israel: Lebanon responsible for the actions of Hezbollah 05:04  |  Milton 08/08/08   3.   Good move. Hopefully these are not just empty words 05:05  |  George 08/08/08   4.   When did Jews become so stupid? 05:19  |  Seth Grossman 08/08/08   5.   It`s official then... Israel acknowledges defeat 05:20  |  Victor 08/08/08   6.   Lebanon to Israel: We can bbq ur tanks & planes if u attack us 06:04  |  Aounist 08/08/08   7.   Israel will hold Lebanon responsible for Hizbollah? 06:11  |  Natallie Durson 08/08/08   8.   ho hum 06:16  |  Y. Yea 08/08/08   9.   At least this time 06:42  |  Guy From NYC 08/08/08   10.   Victor in Canada 06:46  |  Richie 08/08/08   11.   Victor, Israel was held back, please read the whole atrical 06:49  |  Fred 08/08/08   12.   Lebanon is no more, now called the suburb of Iran 06:51  |  Fred 08/08/08   13.   Richie in San Jose - Remember Baghdad Bob & George Bush? 07:53  |  Mark of Lewiston 08/08/08   14.   israel will be held responsible 07:54  |  ClearCut 08/08/08   15.   Guy From NYC, you almost got it right 07:56  |  Dan 08/08/08   16.   Welcome to HEZBANON 07:58  |  Dan 08/08/08   17.   Israel now has to complete the job in Lebanon 08:17  |  MJ 08/08/08   18.   There is no civil authority in Lebanon now. 08:33  |  Jean Van Daem 08/08/08   19.   Israel abandoned its friends 08:33  |  es-friend 08/08/08   20.   You Have Got To Be Kidding Me. 08:41  |  Johnboy 08/08/08   21.   excellent move 08:43  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 08/08/08   22.   Lebanon responsible for Hezbollah`s actions? 08:50  |  geoff 08/08/08   23.   Are you all really this delusional???? 08:56  |  Johnboy 08/08/08   24.   Wonder if you know the Lion is on a leash 09:22  |  HF 08/08/08   25.   wow now broun cow 09:26  |  jack 08/08/08   26.   So what`s different now? 09:46  |  Jake 08/08/08   27.   Israel prepares the ground for war crimes 09:59  |  Clickfool 08/08/08   28.   But it was always this way. Destroying Lebanese infrastructure .. 10:09  |  Jack 08/08/08   29.   To Fred in Canada, Lebanon is well and fine and Lebanese 10:12  |  gus 08/08/08   30.   LEBANON WILL NOT BE ALONE 10:14  |  indrajaya 08/08/08   31.   LEBANON RESPONSIBLE: ABSOLUTELY! 10:17  |  IamJOSEPH 08/08/08   32.   what does israeli governers think? 10:39  |  persian boy 08/08/08   33.   I agree Natalie, what`s the difference? 10:41  |  BBSNews 08/08/08   34.   Empty threats 10:53  |  Hazarin 08/08/08   35.   # 31 IamJOSEPH LEBANON RESPONSIBLE: ABSOLUTELY! 11:18  |  Traude 08/08/08   36.   Liars 11:29  |  George 08/08/08   37.   IF YOU CONTROL THE SKY YOU WIN THE WAR!!! 11:38  |  miras 08/08/08   38.   what-so-called-israel can NOT live without war 11:40  |  imad 08/08/08   39.   Clickfool becomes ever more delusional and frantic 11:40  |  x-ray 08/08/08   40.   cant control hizbollah... get after lebanon... 11:43  |  ravi 08/08/08   41.   Lebanon 11:52  |  Steven 08/08/08   42.   US sacrificed Israel in order "not to topple Siniora" 11:54  |  Absolute Sweden 08/08/08   43.   israel lebanon 11:54  |  tal 08/08/08   44.   Hezbollah: Israel responsible for IDF`s actions 11:59  |  Sadiq M 08/08/08   45.   7.durson: In the next war Lebanon will be finished. In 2006 Leb.. 12:06  |  Vittorio 08/08/08   46.   Israel responsible for settlers actions 12:06  |  analogy 08/08/08   47.   How Smart 12:36  |  Mike 08/08/08   48.   Aounist (6), who is WE??? q.e.d. that Israel is rigth! 12:37  |  Jew- and Bookburner 08/08/08   49.   Be explicit, MJ 12:39  |  Murray 08/08/08   50.   #33 - BBS 12:40  |  JES 08/08/08   51.   Lebanon is resposible fir hezbollah`s actions 12:51  |  R.M. de Vries 08/08/08   52.   if you want peace prepare for war 13:00  |  Ilan 08/08/08   53.   #35 Thank you.. 13:17  |  Edithann, USA 08/08/08   54.   #35: the only response that made any sense. 13:20  |  Edithann, USA 08/08/08   55.   New Taliban 13:51  |  Victor 08/08/08   56.   Now your thinking! Now that they are apart of the Govt. 13:53  |  Jack 08/08/08   57.   A hollow laugh is heard # 38 14:05  |  Clickfool 08/08/08   58.   Israel lebanon and Hezbollah 14:08  |  David 08/08/08   59.   analogy39 14:20  |  ChanahS 08/08/08   60.   Big Mistake: Israel should strike back at IRAN 14:44  |  Mushma Oule 08/08/08   61.   Re: natalie durson #7 14:49  |  DK 08/08/08   62.   Clickfool 15:07  |  DK 08/08/08   63.   Jake # 26 The Difference 15:08  |  Jeff Northridge 08/08/08   64.   To #1 to 4 15:10  |  Jerry i 08/08/08   65.   The bullies threaten while diplomacy hibernates 15:23  |  Tosefta 08/08/08   66.   #6 Aounist - And you are going to be there to help 15:36  |  * BEN JABO 08/08/08   67.   No NUTallie - It wasn`t merely a "Border Raid" 15:40  |  * BEN JABO 08/08/08   68.   #14 Clear Cut - I`ll make it clear for you 15:43  |  * BEN JABO 08/08/08   69.   Edithann - I thought you were going to be 15:45  |  * BEN JABO 08/08/08   70.   good boy Olmert 15:52  |  alan 08/08/08   71.   victor in canada 15:55  |  alan 08/08/08   72.