6 Hezbollah militants detained during war seek POW status

When will Israel really get TOUGH on Terror? Now is the time to close the taps, tighten the screws, close the fist. Yes, I was one to negotiate and talk - on equal terms, as the giver back in return for some very basic neighbourly relations. We do need a normal neighbour for this and until this happens we will have to harden up a little.

Your still avoiding the question maoriboy. And in case you missed the fact hisboliar started the last little shoot out.

Wow. It's amazing how many people here violently HATE Hezbollah without even learning how to spell the name. I mean, really, I saw someone use "hizbola" or something like that. I wonder whatever happened to the ideal of not sinking to the enemy's level? I don't deny what Hezbollah's done; but nor do I claim intimate knowledge of it. In fact, I might disagree with the majority of people on this board if I knew more! There are some of these posters whom I sincerely hope never get their hands on political power...or any power for that matter. Learn not to sink to what you consider a deplorable level- if that's what you think it is- and LEARN TO SPELL! Learn to be human.

Oh please Adrian, you're like a little school kid who's been caught fighting and now trying to convince the teacher that it was the other who started the fight,when in reality you were the bully,grow up Adrian.

So what you are telling everyone here is that it is wrong for the Isreali's to deny the Red Cross access the the hizboliar captives, but it is ok for hizboliar to deny the Red Cross access to the Isreali captives? So berate Isreal for one thing and are strangly muted on hizboliar for doing the same thing. If that isn't Isreal bashing then what is???

First,when these phalange groups collaborated with Israel, there was noting called Amal or Hizbullah(early seventies). The government was controlled by Chritians as you know. Second:Since mid 80ties (After a decent and patriort leader Nasrallah came)when was One christian threat by any muslim. On the contrary, they only ask to be part of this country and to have equal right for the majority shiite that they live in but everybody denies them this right. What the zionist in Lebanon did is to scare the people of them only where there is nothing to be scared because the shiites know that they have to live with Everybody and never mention to eliminate the others. Third:regarding Tel al-Zaatar, I've seen many people who were living there at this time and many members of my family were officers. They knew the truth where the massacre was against the muslims and the palastinians Not The Christians.Fourth: It is not a secret what the Maronites Want the most is to be the ONLY POWER as before.

Please explain which borders do the international community recognise as the true borders belonging to the state of Israel? Do they include the lands that are occupyed and are being developed by the settlers . There as been cross border disputes between Lebanon and Israel since the IDF did a runner(because of Hezbullah) in June 2000, the last i heard was the over flights by the IAF of lebanons airspace a violation under international law, governments don't do those stunts unless they want to pick a fight. Gaza and the West Bank will continue to be a staging point for militant activities as long as Israel occupys Arab/Palestinian land,what control the IDF has over land already under occupation they do not have over the militants and their activities which can strike any where in Israel, the CAPTURE of a IDF soldier is a legitimate target any where. Note..the capture of a high ranking IDF officer nearly took place in New Zealand not so lond ago for war crimes.

Who knows where your proposal might lead? Israel signing on to Protocol I - official admission of having nuclear weapons leading to signing on to the NPT - peace with its neighbors - defining its borders - pulling out of the West Bank and the Golan - cooperating with the Palestinians to found their state - regaining the respect of the world community - getting rid of the dry rot in the Knesset and the ministries - Israel, a'la Olmert, becoming a "fun place" to live in? The possibilities are endless.

Hezbullah did not exist before the israeli invasion of 1982. They are a resistant movement to an occupyer and tyrant. Israel. They enjoy the support of all the population of South Lebanon. They are the children of these villagers. Israel stole part of our land, they attacked us and killed us and filled our farms with land mind, they robed us of peace and sent us 400,000 palestinians refugees which do not want. Israel did all they can to settle them permenantly on our land and they came to punish us for simply helping refugees that Israel sent to us. Hezbullah was created by Israel. Stop killing our people then we do not need anyone to defend us.

If Israel continue with this path it will be 70 AD all over. What we need is a real respect for international laws and 242,338 resolution. Read Carter new book.

Laura, who did kill the people in Dier yassin, who had a policy of purging cities to kick the Palestinians of the land of 1948, You came and took a country from its inhabatant, do expect us not do anything to protect them. You stole a country and said God promised it to you. Will God forgot to inform us that you are the only one who suppose to live there. Yes I believe that you have every right to live there but you do not have the right to kill and steal and humiliate and bomb and purge and commit attrocities and violate every international law to achieve your evil. Please read the new book by President Carter and you will find out that all the accusations are facts wittnessed by an American President and a christian. So stop your lies and hypocracy and start finding ways to achieve a just peace.

Israel is the one who ejected million of Palestinians out of their lands. Israel who encouraged King Hussien to kick the Palestinians out of Jordan and they ended up in Lebanon. We did not have a say about this and we suffered from the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. Hezbullah was created after your invasion. You satyed and killed the lebanese in the process and you hired some Lebanese thugs to terrorise the population in south Lebanon so please do not right lies. WE were farmers for a 1000 years. You destroyed all our farms and mined our land so you tunred us into fighters. Hezbullah was created after your invasion not before.These are facts.

I do not believe the Israeli ligic. Who needs a permission to defend his country against an invasion or incursion. I do not believe how a sophistacated society like the Israeli one will say that the Lebanese who were fighing against an occupying forces from 1982 until 2000 need permission from a dead army. Also the Lebanese Government was represented by Hezbullah minister and all stood united against the Israeli attack. Yes if there were no army to defend Lebanon, any force that will stop your tyrany and occupying our land and taking our people to your jail is a ligitmate fighting forces. WE all want the Lebanese army to be the only force in South Lebanon, even Hezbullah want that when they can defend Lebanon and when your thugs stop violating our space and land and people. Leave us alone and return our land and prisoner and then we hope you live in peace away from us. Please Build a big wall so we do not have to see your soldiers and your ugly tanks. We want you to live in peace.

Since you have secular point of view, and if i am not mistaken, what you meant was "conflict between israel and arab muslims may motivate muslim hardliners to promote extremism in my country...so i would prefer Israel to be the blacksheep" right?

Dear Mr. Henzen, thank you for your post. It is not true at all that we hate the west, we hate the people who came and colonized us and abused us. WE do not hate christians. Millions of Arab are christians and this is not true at all. Yes there will be always fanatic and hater but most Arab do not hate the west. You do not have to accept any Arab in your land, you can vote and right to your leaders to achieve that. Do not import people who are willing to work and do the hard jobs and then complain about them. Every country need cheep labor that does not mean that they are bad people. Raciest always will come with excuses and blame but they will never succeed in the long run. Israel is a raciest state at this point. I am not saying all Israeli are because I know that they are wonderful Israeli who work hard to end this horrible situation. Silence on part of the Israeli society is a huge crime and they must raise their voices against Apparthied syle government.

All you people ever do is threaten. Rather than thretening, you should offer to negotiate the exchange of your six men for the members of the IDF that you are holding in contravention of international law. Your men have received visits from the Red Cross, but the members of the IDF have received no visits, and no one knows anything about their condition. You cannot expect any respect or honour if you do not show respect to others. You must understand that under international law, torture is totally prohibited. Tell your leaders to do the honourable thing.

First, as usual, Israel's incompetent at PR. It wasn't the "2nd Leb war", it was the 4th: '48, '78, '80, '06. Second, Hamas and Hizbullah captured their three hostages in methods directly contrary to the GC. Third, H&H are explicitly excluded from being POWs by the GC, since they aren't uniformed members of the military of a sovereign nation. I know it's tough to take the time to read the GC and accept the truth, but give it a try. I know it's scary, but you might just expand your mind.

So, I see now, that this last summer's fiasco is called "the second Lebanese war". Well, why wouldn't this be a Red Cross/Red Crescent return of MIA? Why on earth would we be memorizing the names of the zionist MIA while the Hez'b Allah prisoners are nameless?

Israel has withdrawn from Lebanon in June 2000 and NOT ONE ISRAELI SOLDIER was in Lebanon at the day the two soldiers were abducted,six years after Israeli withdrawal.The two soldiers were on Israeli territory.How do you explain that Hezbollah abducted two men who in no way were "occupying" any Lebanese land? Israel also withdrew from Gaza in June 2005 and NOT ONE ISRAELI soldier (and also NOT ONE ISRAELI SETTLER) was in Gaza at the day Shalit was abducted.Shalit was on Israeli territory.How do you explain that Hamas abducted one man who in no way was "occupying" any part of Gaza?

they are all well trained to the highest standard they use weapons which are extremly advanced and iranian made by the way not even russian , and they wanted an exchange of soldiers . you were fighting small infantry unit they hit you and move and war is all about deception they have all the right for POW status ...for the sake of your soldiers in hizbollah hands ..treat our prisoners with dignity and respect.otherwise you know the song

..."try not to get influenced by religion factors..." Basically, I am a secular in politics. But, what you believe would not necessarily been believed by others. Backward because of those believes? Probably, but believe me what is happening far from your country, sometimes has bad influences to the country beyond your own borders. ESPECIALLY, WHEN THE ISSUE IS PALESTINE LAND.

Not every Maronite supportsthe Phalangists.I am against any ethnic based militia outside of government control.In case of Lebanon, since the central authority was not capable of protecting the Christian minority,militias like Phalange, the National Liberal Party's Tigers and Lebanese Front came to be-a need to protect themselves from Hezbollah,Amal and others so they naturally sought help from anyone interested in helping,including Israel-it was a matter of survival.Hezbollah and Amal were getting armed by Syria and Iran so it was a no-brainer to ally with Israel.Among the Phalange were those who went too far and killed many innocent people at Sabra and Shatilla, but it was revenge for a PLO-organized Damour(1976) massacre of hundreds of Lebanese Christians or Tel al-Zaatar massacre by Syrian-backed Phalangists (before they switched to Israel's side). So you see the context of attacks, revenge, shifting sides,in-fighting.That's why I want all militias disarmed, including Hezbollah.

just shut up. just just shut up. and go and die fighting in Afghanistan. I promise you the virgins.

If the hisboliars want POW status then hisboliar should do the same with their own Jewish captives. That shuold be fair to everyone??

Hello, actually israelis here in this talk back are wondering why an indon, with so many problems back home, and, Indonesia is not so like a democracy country and quite backwards,...lecturing them. Next time when you post, try not to get influenced by religion factors. Remember, religion is bad for politic.

Just saw your performance on that SSSite and liked what I saw. You are becoming just like me. But I would continue posting as you are a light in the darkness of this Den of Iniquity.

..."Talkback all the time, always in the negative? Have you ever been to Israel?..." Nothing personal, but I haven't always write negative about Israel. Lets open Haaretz's Talkback files. I have never been in Israel, but when I was in Boston, I got a several nice Jewish friends, including Prof. Koenig. I got no problem with them personally.

Why are you avoiding me mt Christian Friend. All I want to knoe if you had a good X-Mas and a Good X-mas Mass. Just trying to change my demeanor and become more friendly. Thank You Gabe

"My advice is if you want to get pious and self righteous then apply the "standards" to both sides.Currently you do not". Adrian.. you don't know when to shut your mouth, what your short term memory has forgotten is that the rise of Hezbullah and Hamas is the direct result of Israels occupation of their lands. The evil that they do is the evil that was created by Israel its self,and now you're trying to justify Israels treatment of prisoners based on that logic,because if it is then you deserve all the scorn thrown your way. Take a leaf out of the Americans model of treating prisoners in Guantanamo,they thought because they are a superpower they could do what they like,not so,slowly more misdeeds about whats happening there is coming to the surface because of international pressure. The path of the Righteous does not cover those who misstreat others,me i'm just a baggy arse Maori who loves fishing and hunting and taking the mickey out of people like yourself.

Some people and you are one have no shame. Masquarading as a Rightist but with Leftist Credentials. Your eyes have turned brown and in fact you are brown from the neck up. A chicken livered Spineless Jelly fish who ventures out from his den of iniquity to help when NO help is needed.

Natallie's truths must have really got you upset. What happened to your intellectual refinement? Beaten by the truth!

What an interesting quandary! If the six Hizbollah are recognized as POWs, does that mean Hisbollah must treat the two Israeli hostages as POWs? Excuse me if I would rather see this the case. I would like Regev and Goldwasser able to communicate with their families. I would rather them under Red Cross/Red Crescent/Red Star of David protection and communications. Could not Israel force this issue by making a 'conditional' recognition of POW status? Could not Israel demand that if Hisbollah are POWs, then IDF are POWs? What exactly would Israel risk by this action? Call their bluff. Force Hisbollah to put up, or shut up. Either they are engaged in a legitimate defense of Lebanon (sans any effective military force) or they are a terrorist organization. Either they treat their prisoners as POWs, and expect the IDF to treat their POWs with the same respect. . . or they are nothing but a terrorist organization. This is a golden opportunity for Israel to wage peace. Use it.

They are tuff, Thats why they defeated Israel, and Everyone knows it, look at the facts. The IDF cannot Stop Guerrilla Militants. Israel's Military is way beyond the tools Hezbollah can handle, but yet again they couldnt stop them, this is a flashback of 2000, when they had to Withdrew from Lebanon, same thing.

unless they do not fall under one of the exceptions to the general rule that combatants are to wear uniforms or other distinguishing emblems. 4 Article 45(2) provides that questions of prisoner of war shall be adjudicated in court. It follows from all of these provisions that non-uniformed combatants can benefit from the provisions of the Conventions, provided they fulfill certain obligations, such as carrying arms openly and acting in accordance with the laws of war. The status of a combatant does not principally depend on being uniformed, but on the general conduct required of all combatants which requires of them to observe the laws of war.

1 It is a general principle of law that it is up to national courts to interpret the law, including international law, in good faith and in accordance with the purposes of the law. 2 As I mentioned above, Article 4(2)(d) of Third Geneva states that non-uniformed combatants who do not observe the laws of war are not entitled to the protectiones of the Conventions. The Israeli SC based its ruling regarding non-uniformed combatants on this exception to the general rule which recognizes irregular forces as entitled to protections of the Conventions. 3 Article 44(3) of the First Protocol states: "In order to promote the protection of the civilian population from the effect of hostilities, combatants are obliged to distinguish themselves from the civilian population...." If "an armed combatant cannot so distinguish himself,...he shall retain his status as combatant...provided that in such situations he carries his arms openly." It is clear that Israel recognizes non-uniformed combatants,

Only 1 person has brought up the subject of Ron Arad. This Israeli is MIA since the eighties. These low life poor Hizbollah babies want to be treated as POW's. It needs to be a 2-way street. Where is Ron Arad ? Is he alive ? Let Hizbollah talk about Ron Arad in conjunction with the 2 other soldiers. Let's have a meaningful exchange this time.

You've got a point! We really don't know who they are. We better find out before we carry with our discussion any further. Very good observation indeed!!!

Why on earth should Jews agree to live in one country with Palestinian Arabs? They are two people, two separate nations! So what is wrong with having two separate and independent states, one Arab and one Jewish? The Jews have already agreed to such a pragmatic and sensible solution many many years ago in 1948. The only reason that there is an occupation is because the Arabs did not accept that sensible solution...but of course I won't bore you with that history any further because undoubtedly you are aware of it. You and most people like you just can't cope with the natural consequences that of Arab aggression against Israel....

No, Natallie, it isn't treat them as you would like to be treated. Since Hezbollah started the war, the iniative to show good faith is their burden. Hezbollah knows that their men are still alive. Israel has no indication whether their men are wounded or dead or MIA's. Actually, if Hezbollah's men were captured out of uniform, they're lucky they weren't summarily shot on the spot.

First, let the Red Cross visit the Israeli Soldiers that were kidnapped when Hezbollah started the war. The status of the Hezbollah prisoners, providing the wore uniforms, could then be evaluated by the IRC. IF, the Hezbollah prisoners were caught in uniform, they could possibly be treated as soldiers. HOWEVER, if they were captured while wearing civies, they're considered to be spies and should have been summarily shot on the spot.

By the very virtue of giving them legal trial the state of Israel has recognized their status and open flood gates for all kind of subversive activities against their own people. I don't know anymore who's a friend and who's an enemy of the Jewish nation. Another sign that the process of dismantling Israeli state is in fast motion. Cooperation has been above all expectations.

You made some very good points but nevertheless I disagree with you that when Israel behaves well and in a humanitarian way, it's enemies notice and appreciate it. The truth is that they don't and they just make up and invent propaganda that discredits, demonizes and dehumanize Israelis anyway.... So, Israelis should deal fairly and in a humanitarian way with it's enemies only because their own moral values demand it. They should just forget about any appreciation or thanks because they will just not get it. And sometimes even some of their so called friends in the West don't appreciate anything good that Israel does!

The title and the very first sentence of this Haaretz article state that these men are going to petition the High Court of Justice to be classifie as prisoners of war. Since it was Hizbollah that was on the other side of the conflict, the men have no basis to request POW status unless they were fighting. You are the one who has no argument. You base your post on hunches. Even then, you should draw the proper conclusion from your own post, namely, that one hundred Gitmo detainees have been released after investigation by military authorities. You are mixing up the question of the principle of law with the question of adjudication of individual cases. The US Supreme Court has decided that the detainees are entitled to General Article 3 protections, but not to the totality of Geneva protections. If you think that this is a mistaken ruling, then say so. But do not accuse the government of Israel with mistreatment of the prisoners on the basis of your own biased feelings.

Comming from you your crapp is priceless. What yourself and the other Jew bashers have done is also very hypocritical. You all condem Isreal for denying the Red Cross access to the hisboliar terrorists - BUT - none of you including yourself maoriboy have EVER critizied hiboliar or the pals for doing the same thing. So your telling me that whats good for the goose isn't not necessarilay good for the gander. My advise is if you want to get all pious and self righteous then apply the "standards" to both sides. Currently you do not.

Its a little facile for the Arabs and their sympathisers to point the finger at Israel then turn deaf mute if the Arabs do it. The UN was rejected from day one by the Arabs in this conflict and the Hamas charter specifically excludes UN mediation or resolutions.ALL of them. That is quite a large number. Any thoughts.?

(Click)FOOL said: "The Hezbollah fighters in Israel`s hands cannot be compared two Zionist soldiers in Hezbollah`s hands, as the Israeli soldiers were part of an occupation army. The Hezbollah fighters were defending Lebanon against occupation." Translation: As long as a single Jew remains in Israel, the Arabs have the right to do anything that they please, maim, murder and torcher any Jew...because all Jews in Israel are just occupiers. But on the other hand, Jews should just pull their collective necks in and anything that they do in response is illegitimate and unfair..... How can anyone even contemplate to talk to or make peace with people who have such warped and one sided thinking??????!!!!!

Has there ever been such a ridiculous notion as this? As every war has proven until this very day, each and every war is inhuman, destructive and self-serving. No war is just and never will be. Each Israeli, Palestinian and many other Middle Eastern life lost in the conquest of the ME has been in vain. The strings are being pulled by wealthy men in small bunkers (always hiding behind civilians no matter which side) orchestrating lies, lies and statistics for our wonderful and idiotic belief systems. See through the mist and endless repitition of hate and servitude. Peace will come quickly afterwards.

I'm no expert as to Israeli Law, but how does somebody in this circumstance get a fair trial or hearing if they are presumed guilty? The US "captured" many on the battlefields of Afghanistan who later turned out to be not members of either al Qaida or the Taliban. To presume all governments are perfect is dangerous.

As the old adage goes "one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter". Because a judge sits in a courtroom and decides on the future of generations of peoples he has no kinship with doesn't mean to say that the laws will be ultimately respected. When all the laws of the land of Israel are equal for all its citizens maybe it will finally reach the status of 'democracy' and not the rogue state status many outsiders (and many neighbours) feel it has. And we know what the world likes to do with rogue states, don't we? If I call for the destruction of the Jewish state does that make me a terrorist also? Even though I feel in disagreement mostly with Hezbollah? One Palestine for all sound good to anyone? Too scary a thought I imagine...Equal rights for all, illegal (non-state) or legal (state) 'terrorists'.

Perhaps it would be better to further this discussion if all of the participants involved in it are familiar with what the protocol I mentioned stipulates. It is already clear that both the United States and Israel reject the treatment of irregular, non-governmental forces - as defined in this protocol - as combatants deserving of all the rights accorded by the various Geneva Conventions to regular forces of sovereign governments. In any case, raising this issue in light of the Hizballah fighters' requests, seems eminently germane, irrespective of personal feelings and biases.

Unless they've admitted it in court, I always take what any government says with a grain of salt. We have one man jailed in the US who hasn't yet gone to trial who has been accused of three separate plots, serially, by the government. No government or army is perfect. You may have noted the number of people my government has released for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The Supreme Court makes it clear that the status of who is to be regarded as a prisoner of war is not determined exclusively on the basis of protections that are potentially accrued to a detainee by international law, but just as importantly, on the basis of the detainee's conduct during conflict, and in particular, the detainee's respect of his obligations under the laws of war. Indeed, if detainees were not held to the standards prescribed by the customs and laws of war, every army, every nation, could take off its uniforms and revert to fighting without regard to any civilized norms. The laws of war, and all of the protections given by the Geneva Conventions and Protocols, would be shredded and be for naught. Regardless of the above, detainees should be accorded the minimum of humane treatment as spelled out in General Article 3 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.

In a ruling of the Israeli Supreme Court, 13 December, 2006, Chief Justice(emeritus) Barak, stated that terrorists are not entitled to the status of POW. He quoted from a previous decision, at paragraph 24 of the ruling: " The Lebanese detainees are not to be seen as prisoners of war. It is sufficient, in order to reach that conclusion, that they do not fulfill the provisions of Article 4a(2)(d) of the Third Geneva Convention which provides that one of the conditions which must be fulfilled in order to fit the definition of 'a prisoner of war' is 'that of conducting operations in accordance with the laws and customs of war'. The organizations to which the Lebanese detainees belonged are terrorist organizations acting contrary to the laws and customs of war. Thus, for example, these organizations intentionally harm civilians, and shoot from within civilian populations, which serve them as a shield. Eac of these is an act contrary to international law."

They leave videos,have children's football teams after them etc. Real,regular heroes.

They have thrown out the concept of non-combatants.Hiding within the civillian population is a given Remember Louis Farrakhan at least 20 years ago in Lybia saying he lives for the downfall of the USA. There is a clash of civilisations with world supremacy as the goal. It may be PC to avert your eyes but any group that can do 9/11,or the tube bombings,regular bombings in India/Pakistan/Afghanistan/Iraq,the Bali bombings etc.etc. or cheer in the streets know no limits.

so unashamed to show us all how full of it you are on a daily basis.

"Six Hezbollah detainees ...........will petition the High Court of Justice" Haaretz They should (only) be allowed to petition the High Court of Justice in Lebanon to be exchanged.

How many U.N resolutions has Israel ignored Peter,maybe thats the reason why the Arabs continue to complain... okay.

"You are about 17 millions. The Arab and Muslims are 1.6 billion, so who is right and who is wrong". Nice logic,gus,so because the Muslims are 1.6 billion,it is OK that they eliminate the Jews? "Hezbullah was created by israeli invasion and occupation".Even if it's so,Israel has withdrawn from Lebanon,so what's the reason Hezbollah still fights against Israel? "You kicked the Palestinians to our lands".I thought they fled by themselves on advice by other Arab leaders to wait until the Jews would be driven to the sea....

..in blithely dismissing legitimate and minimal requirements for Red Cross or some other independent authority to witness the condition of the Israeli hostage belies your satirical and oft laughable attempts to strike a note of sanity in such measured and surreal tones. "A Red Cross visit could disclose this location" Natallie "let's toss out the rule of law when it suits" Durson.

Howdy Victor; I'm not familiar with the wording of Protocol 1, but I doubt if it supercedes the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention which has at least two categories for enemy combatants being held prisoner: POWs and battlefield detainees. Personally, I think that all prisoners should be treated humanely, but above that there are degrees of rights and privilages. For example, Samir Kuntar and Marwan Barghouti were both convicted on multiple counts of aggragavated first degree murder of Israeli citizens on Israeli soil and are not in the same category as battlefield detainees who were captured on foreign soil and these are in a different category from POWs who wear uniforms and are members of a national military force. It's OK by me if Israel chooses to grant extra privilages to the 6 Hezbollah prisoners, but you should be aware that she is not compelled to do so since they are not POWs, but rather, battlefield detainees.

What is your issue with my job? I am not ignorant of the history of the middle east but you simply are not realistic or truthful in your discussions. Additionally I think you are a little too aggressive all the time. Why do you feel so defensive when we are merely debating. If you feel I am wrong then why not simply state the facts, and if they are accurate then great. At the moment you just seem to argue for the sake of it. Calm down dear its only a talkback.

# bounce :sounds germany 1940- 1945 ,in this case germany did the right thing afterall ??? right

A comment on Guantánamo. I read a letter by the mother of a Chechen who is in Guantanamo. She said she prayed for her son to be kept there. She knew that he had clothes, was clean, fed and in good health. If he was released, the Russians would catch him, torture him and, of course, he wouldn?t be in such good conditions. Guantanamo must not be the paradise but there are worse places.

You may be right about the Nüremberg trials. I think you are wrong in the other point. Countries usually try foreigners who committed crimes in or against those countries. Even if a national of country A commits crimes in or against country B, this country can ask country A for the criminal?s extradition. It is very frequent from eta terrorists to be sent from France to here and from here to France because they have to be tried in any of the countries or in both countries and also serve time in both. This is so not just between countries of the European Union but also between the EU and other countries. Only treaties of extradition are needed, which exist among democratic countries. I know it from reading newspapers. Criminals are sent from a country to the other to be tried, no matter where the criminal is from.

a. The 2 soldiers were not on Lebanese territory when they were kidnapped. b. The IDF was not in Lebanese territory since withdrawing in 2000 as cfmd by your friend in the UN. c. You might say Sheba farms is Lebanese territory but it is Syrian territory. Again cfmd by the UN

As i commented in a earlier posting two days ago and today Adrian,you and other Israeli apologists were mouthing off about prisoner treatment and how well Israel looks after them and the rights accorded them. Today a complete turn around,here's some more pearls of wisdom or advice from you "i'd deny them all visits from any one,ie treat them like they are treating the Israelis"you agree Israel is justified in denying the Red Cross and other groups access to them,Arian you're a hypocrite who uses double standards to justify your arguement. Because i've pointed this out to you doesn't make me a jew hater,an Israeli basher or an anti-semitic those are labels you use to shut people down,but its sad to say most people are on to that crap and ignore it for what it is... shit.

Don't waste your time with trial. They will return back to lebanon in prisoners exchange as happened before.

You cannot make up the law to suit your own very naive and self motivated ideas. You either accept the applicability of the Geneva Conventions, and join the human race, in which case Red Cross visits are required, or you admit that you do not. No one is required to worry about possible rescue of the IDF POWs. The entire purpose of international humanitarian law is to set out principles that are common to all, and are applied regardless of individual and selfish personal motivations.

Mark, it is Hizbollah that is on the slippery slope. They are the ones going about blowing up innocent people all over the world. They are the ones who started an illegal war wih Israel. They are the ones who never apply the minimum of international humanitarian laws and principles. Your concern regarding the innocence of these men is misplaced. They do not deny belonging to Hizbollah, or fighting for Hizbollah. Israel most certainly has jurisdiction over them since they are considered combatants, and they have committed crimes against citizens of the State of Israel. They were captured on the battle field during an illegal war that was started by them. Hizbollah, by its very nature, is an illegal organization since it is a militia that functions outside of the governmental structures of the Lebanese government. Hizbollah's armed wing cannot cloak itself with legitimacy by hiding under its political wing. Their acts stand alone, and are to be judged on their own merit.

We, too, in the US have figured out how to selectively invoke the "laws" of war: use a "war" declaration to justify wanton military spending, trample civil liberties, bomb like the dickens, and keep secrets. And when it comes to prisoners, we just invent new categories of human beings, "terrorists" and "enemy combatants", arbitrarily assigned, to assasinate, jail, and torture our political enemies at will.

You are familiar with the Geneva Conventions, Protocol 1 - adopted on June 8, 1977. As of August 2, 2006, 166 countries have ratified it, with notable exceptions being the United States, Israel, Iran, and Pakistan, although the United States, Iran and Pakistan signed it on December 12,1977, with the intention of ratifying it. The international community agrees that protocol 1 is binding on all parties, having become part of customary law. Not surprisingly, however, both the U.S. and Israel object to the protocol because it offers Geneva Conventions protection to combatants they view as "terrorists." What are your thoughts on this matter?

Israel should treat the Hizbollah prisoners as they would have Hizbollah treat the IDF prisoners. Red cross visits are not a reliable indicator of prisoner treatment. Everybody knows that Israel has been trying to find the location of the prisoners from the beginning of the last war. A Red Cross visit could disclose this location and lead to an Israeli raid that could end badly, as previous raids have done. The real indicator of how the IDF men are treated is to ask them if and when they are redeemed.

"Are these men truly members of Hezbollah?" They most certainly are, otherwise they would not ask to be treated as POWs. Their own words speak on the matter. It is true that the Geneva Conventions are based on self interest, or more exactly, on reciprocity. When one side so flagrantly violates this common principle of humanity, and does so consistantly, the very notion of reciprocity is dead. This does not mean that the party that normally recognizes and applies this principle can disregard all norms of humanity. General Article 3 of Geneva still holds, but it does not require visits from the Red Cross. or other more extensive application of the treaty provisions.

The Nurnberg trials were international trials for crimes against humanity. These guys are charged with membership in an organization outside of Israel for acts outside of Israel. Presumably, they were taken on the battlefield. I don't have all the facts. I'm not trying to act as their lawyer. But there are some interesting legal concepts at work here.

But they do want POW status when it benefits them? We should let them be POW's out of humanity I guess, but only because we are not like them.

Serious suspicions surround the story of this man, Hussein Sleiman. Soon after his capture in a raid, the very next day I think, he was sitting in front of an Israeli TV camera team giving every detail of his Hezbollah activities, singing like a parrot. Now, what kind of "highly trained" 'guerilla', 'commando', or ' terrorist' he is that he told everything on camera like a chicken within 24 hours of his capture in a 'daring commondo raid' by IDF???? Even common thugs and criminals don't normally 'break' in interrogations in 24 hours and give every details on camera. And I haven't seen any news story (except by Israelis and Americans) confirming his links with Hezbollah. The day they were captured, hezbollah claimed they were not its memebers but common citizens. This is not a conspiracy theory but just a confusion which is encountered by common people like me in the wake of lies told to us by newspapers, organisations and states. who this young man and other captives are??????

Gus, most Arabs do not believe in applying universal norms of human rights to their own people. Most Arabs believe in the extra-judicial norms of blood feuds, clan feuds, honor killings, repression of women, floggings, and all manner of torture. Most Arabs do not believe in the priciples of the enlightenment. We see every day just how abysmally Arabs treat each other in Iraq. We also know how Arabs have treated captured POWs, as well as civilians. We all have seen bodies beeing dragged through the streets and being dishonored. We all have heard of beheadings and kidnappings. Wake up, Gus, you cannot go on forever living in the seventh century.

As the US and Israel have learned, trying someone for the crime of membership is a bit dicey. Yes sometimes there can be a conviction, but overt acts are easier to prove. Look at the Hamas legislators and, for that matter, what percent of the Lebanese might be Hezbollah party members, not just voters. It is a good thing these guys have access to courts, unlike some the US is holding. We held a thirteen year old, turned over to us by one Afghan tribal leader, for over 3 years before our courts said he and others had a right to a status review. Only then did we say "Oops" and let him and several others, like the Uirgirs, go.

The attacks on Israel happened inside its borders. I suppose they could arrest ETA members. If they had not committed any crime in Israel but the Spanish government asked for them, Israel would hand over the terrorists to Spain. If they had committed crimes in or against Israel, they could be tried in Israel. From what you say, the Nüremberg trials were wrong because the Nazis were tried by the allies and besides the tribunals were applying different laws from those valid in Nazi Germany. One thing is population policies and another is crime.

The arguement of being smarter could have been upheld before the war, now, after the war, with the catastrophous trio (Olmert, Peretz and Halutz) STILL in office, it could be argued otherwise. Tougher, both you and Liban are right in concensus, 4000 Hezb+4000 WWII Rockets vs 40000 IDF+AF+Navy+Intel+Time+10s of thousands of artilary shells and missiles including millions of cluster bombs and Israel still lost. Tougher, i think so, and maybe also in this case, smarter. Biological/nuclear weapons, dont kid your self dude, unless you want to commit suicide then just dont think about it. And hay, incase you forget, Pakistan is an Muslim state, if they see that Israel has the guts to nuke a Muslim state, then i think they'll feel a bit threatened because the US might also have the same chutzpah concerning Pakistan. They'll feel a bit left out you see and maybe let loose a nuke into capable hands, then what!? hmmm? Israel and 1 million Jews are lost for what!? Shalom

Actually, according to most Arabs(or so it seems), all Israelis - IDF or not - are persona non grata in the Middle East. Terrorist attacks against Israel didn't start in 1967; Israel has been under attack by its so-called peace-loving Arab neighbours since before its inception. So don't pretend that getting off Mount Dov, or the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel, will be the end of it. You know full well your beloved Nasrallah is after the end of Israel. Period. And you talk about hypocrites.

Cyring the blues for baby-killer Samir Kuntar again, Gus?

Mr Tupac. How brave of you to read/watch bbc article. You too have been taken in hook line and sinker. The slant of bbc is far greater than tower of Pisa - the former will soon be horizontal? But perhaps you are right? Hamas and Hez treat their own population so badly and inhumanely that they therefore dont consider them human shields . Is there a term sub-human shield?

does sinora consider hez as part of his army ? if so then let him file a complaint. i dare him to take size with hez. by the way is he still locked up in the govt building?

Howdy Mark; Well, the U.S. has passed laws which can be used to prosecute foreign nationals for crimes commited against U.S. citizens on foreign soil provided that we can ever get our paws on the perpetrators. It didn't used to be so. In fact, the CIA has a tape recording of a phone call made by Yasser Arafat when he was in Tunis which authorized the executions of the American Ambassador to the Sudan and his aide, but there was nothing we could do about it at the time. Membership in a terrorist organization (which carries a 30-year sentence in Israel) is probably the best charge against the 6 Hezbollah prisoners. The other two are kind of flakey. I don't think that Israel has the right to determine what is "prohibited underground military training" in foreign countries and the charge of "attempted murder of IDF soldiers" is a bit extreme even for ununiformed, armed combatants of a non-governmental militia/terrorist group unless the accused directly violated the rules of war.

Before you lax lyrical and are hoodwinked by your pals and hez's read your namesake's book: "Because they hate" by Brigitte Gabriel and then re- read what you have written. Perhaps you will have a different opinion.

Isreal is quite justified in denying the Red Cross and other groups access to the hisboliar terrorists. hisboliar has refused the Red Cross access to the Isreali soldiers that they are holding. Indeed there is no proof that they are even alive. Quite clearly there is a double standard here in that all the Jew haters and antisemites are demanding that Isreal live by a certin standard while here enemies are excused from said standard. I'd deny them all visits from any one, ie treat them like they are treating the Isrealis.

The 67 B.C. borders.

Dear "Bounce": a bottle in front of me is preferred to a frontal lobotomy! Is there not a neutered version of magen david adom at the International Red Cross that can find the balls to do anything about this (is it not the red crystal or some nonsense like that?)The IRC has an opportunity to show even handedness (can the spell it let alone measure it?)

TO CIPORA FROM YOUR FRIEND DANNY.GOD BLESS YOU AND ALL YOUR FAMILY MAY YOU ALL LIVE AS LONG AS MOSES 900 YEARS IN GOOD HEALTH

BOUNCE.GOD BLESS YOU AND ALL YOUR FAMILY.

UN resolution that ended the 34-day war called for the soldiers' unconditional release. It's OK for the Arabs while they sanctimoniously complain about Israel.

Since the late sixties, Lebanon was always a subject to Israeli attacks especially the south of it. We all know that "kataeb" party dealt and still with Israel; This party have (in the seventies and now) israeli force members in Lebanon to train them and to collaborate with them. If anybody read the book of "kataeb" founded in the late fourties, we'll see that they only believe in Themselves and ignore the existance of the others; that is why they themselves call their party "Phalangists" where their principles are same as "Fashists". Now dear Marwan, I wonder how anybody who cares a little bit about his or her country can side with invaders. "Kataeb" party tried them in the eightees and brought nothing to all parts of Lebanon but disaster. Do you Love Lebanon only to be a country for you and for people that you like?? If you are like this and ask anybody Neutral, he or she will tell you that you are noting but a non patriot person unfortunately. Please, reply

Israel needs a public relations firm. This is a perfect fact the should be given out to the public. Red Cross Not allowed to visit Israel military. Israeli bashers do you think that is right???????

You want the REd CRoss to visit the Muslim prisoners. How come you Israeli bashers are not asking and demanding that RED Cross visit the captured Israeli prisoners. Lets see if you have the nerve to answer.

Howdy Tupac; Do you mean the armistice lines of the Rhodes Agreement of 1949 and the Egyptian-Israeli Territorial Exchange Agreement of 1950? I'm afraid that these were never borders (at Arab insistence by the way). In addition, Jews did own land in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem prior to 1948, but I'm not sure how much and it was confiscated by the Egyptians and Jordanians during their enlightened administrations between 1948 and 1967. About half the land was not privately owned by anybody and was public land, i.e., the property of whichever government happened to be in charge. Who is "indigenous" to the Holy Land depends on far back in history that you want to go. Ultimately, you get back to the Canaanites who were essentially southern Phoenicians, but they were absorbed by other cultures and have ceased to exist as a distinct ethnic group. Who preceded the Canaanites gets into pre-recorded history and paleo-archeology. It was probably nomadic bedouins though.

I too read the article. Israel did not take innocent pal and ductape them to the tanks, lol, though not a bad idea. Try this out buddy, the IDF, in an attempt to diffuse situations, and prevent harm to #1 themselves, and # 2 to whomever they were going to have a raid on, would get a pal to go in first and say "hey guys, if you dont get the F**** outta here in 2 minutes, you will die." Surely this cannot be BAD THINg. Theres a difference between blantant acts to take life(hezbollah) and blant acts to prevent life (IDF). Get your facts straight Ron Burgendy

Obedience to Geneva rules rests on a moral principle: reciprocity. Nations will treat an enemy?s soldiers humanely because they want and expect their adversaries to do the same. Terrorists flout every civilized norm animating the conventions. Traditionally, unlawful combatants have been considered not soldiers, but criminals, spies or saboteurs, and as such, were executed or imprisoned for lengthy sentences. The 1949 Geneva Convention is not of application to Hizbollah members because they don?t meet the conditions established by the Convention itself: They are not fighting for a Contracting Party to the Convention nor conduct their operations in accordance with the laws and customs of war.

You say "cancel the right of return of Jews". Really, that would mean the end of Israel, and possibly the end of the Jewish people, as they would be divided like never before. The right of return is the very essence of the Jewish state; it is the bond between the diaspora and the Jews abroad. Israel was created to be a refuge for Jews anywhere - that is why the Jews worldwide work so hard to support the economic and political interests of Israel. As a Jew, I will be very scared if the right of return were cancelled - perhaps you don't understand how insecure many of us are, even in America, let alone in Europe. I can forgive you for that, since you are not Jewish, and have not been subject of antisemitism. I grew up in Bulgaria constantly reminded of how frail my situation is and how "grateful" I had to be to live in the country I was born in.

There were plenty of Israeli ground troops all over S. Lebanon. A distant relative died there. Hisbula was operating from areas outside S.Lebanon as well As you know Hisbula used their shrapnell loaded missiles against Israeli cities. Not exactly heroic ground fighting by Hisbula.

What? No questions about even the status of the soldiers? Nobody even knows if they are even alive!! No questions about that? Where are the human rights grups there?!? What about the other israeli soldiers from the 1980s that STILL nobody has heard anything from?? No mention? Really? And this isnt one sided nonsense?

How on earth are soldiers on the israeli side of a internationally legitimate border in the north part of an occupation army and concidered ok to kill, yet the terroirsts captured by israel, and tehy are terroirsts because they are part of hezzbulah, who are internationally known as terrorists, need special treatment??

Why on earth should terrorists get good treatment when hezzbulah wont even tell israel if the zoldiers they horribly kidnapped are even alive?!?!?

Even though the practices of Israel in the occupied territories are blatantly illegal, Israel still has a brave supreme court and hence an impartial judicial system. This probably frustrates the right-wing bloggers of Haaretz, who would rather lobotomize Hizbullah prisoners than treat them lawfully. Thus, I would far rather my chances in an Israeli gaol than in the captivity of Hizbullah. Just so long as I had no visitors from the blog page of Haaretz.

Yet they attacked from Lebanon anyway. The Israelis withdrew from every centimeter demanded of them by the world. Hisbula makes its agenda about "liberating"Palestine clear.Withdrawal from Lebanon changed nothing. Not a great confidence building measure for the future.More like the ceasefire from Gaza. BBC? please!

Load of old cobblers,a human shield would serve no purpose,as the Palestinians would fire at them just the same. If you do not have a valid argument,please do not write to Haaretz.

I merely warn against the slippery slope. I also wonder about jurisdictional issues. Can Israel legislate on issues taking place outside its borders. For example, can it arrest and try ETA members captured outside of Israel? To what extent can one country regulate the activities of citizens of another? Does China have the right to regulate the population policies of the Spanish? These are all slippery slope and legal principle issues.

but than these were militants from unknown miltary wing .Even Hezbollah themselves could not care for them alltogether.POW could not be given to spies or shadow army .It is nothing new --and hopefully it is clearly understood.No Red-Cross visitation are obligated as well .What exactly is the discussion in this article nobody knows --maybe Melman will tell us exactly what is a spin in here ???

What sort of conditions are the IDF kidnapped hostages being held in. Has Physicians for Human Rights even inquired? If they have what is the response to their inquiry? And what do they have to say about it? When are these so called 'humanitarian' groups going to include Jews in their 'humanitarian' actions? Or are Israel Jewish citizens de facto worthless and of no great matter. The moral and political duplicity of these NGOs is disgusting.

The members of Hizballah are not recognized at legitimate members of a national military force. They are at best un-uniformed guerrilla troops. As such, they hold little if any of the protections afforded to uniformed soldiers under the GC. Try learning a little bit before mouthing off.

with military training, if the military training is undertaken in a soveriegn nation, which has not stated that the training undertaken is illegal? It is not for the state of Israel to make up the laws of other nations. If they were captured in Lebanon by Israeli soldiers on Lebanese soveriegn territory, during time of war they are Prisoners of War. As they were part of an organisation in Lebanon which was not illegal. In fact an organisation in Lebanon with members in the Lebanese government. The Israeli soldiers killed and captured were legitimate targets in time of war, as Israel and Lebanon have never formally ceased hostilities since the war of 1948. Israel needs to sort out just exactly its polioies towards Lebanon are. At the moment there seems to be an attack of Schizophrenia.

Even if Hizbollah said they are in good health, the Israeli soldiers are not being treated as POWS.

?All six have been indicted in the Nazareth District Court on charges of membership in a terror organization, prohibited underground military training and the attempted murder of IDF soldiers. The six allegedly were trained in Iran by the Revolutionary Guards.? This has been done by a Court.

expand onto land that does not belong to you do you expect the indegioous people to sit back and let to take the land? And by land I mean beyond '67 borders.

MOLLIO, THE BULK OF ISRAELS JEWS ARE FROM REFUGEES FROM ARAB / MUSLIM COUNTRIES . YES LET US GO BACK TO 1920 WHEN THE JEWISH HOMELAND WAS INCLUDINBG JORDAN AND THE GOLAN .

YOUR CHOICE OF WORDS IS UNFORTUNATE MURDER= THE UNLAWFUL PREMEDITATED MURDER BY ANOTHER !!! OXFORD DICTIONARY HAS BE HEARD AND TRIED IN AIMPARTIAL COURT ! TRY OTHER WORDING FOR WAR

In Gaza and West Bank IDF used Pal civilins as shields. Talk about a brave and moral army. Don't belive me then feel free to do your own research; I read an article a few months ago on BBC.

Yes the were firing from civilin areas like ALL militias do. Hezbollah are cowards as well for firing into civlin areas in Israel. If I recall Hezbollah said publically it wanted to face IDF on the ground. However, IDF wanted to minimise its losses therefor it used IAF; which resulted in more Lebanese civilin deaths.

It is very hard to take someone like you seriously when you yourself host Anti Semites and Holocaust deniers on your own site under the guise of FREE SPEECH(LOL) for the CHOSEN FEW. I guess Chicken Livered Spineless Jelly Fish has his hands full with your "MODERATE" and "MODERATING" Arabs on that SS site of yours. Could you perhaps fill us in on the progress that you have made towards peace and the One State instead of Israel Solution Run by Muslims to protect the Jews. How is it going Ya Habla.

Haaretz has denied us our basic rights,in obliging us to read your answer back.

If I had organized a militant group and decided to cross the lebanese border to kidnap Lebanese soldiers or kill them.What would have happened to me if I had been caught? I will tell you,I would never have had the possability to seek POW status as they would have murdered me. The six hezbollah militants can rot in jail as far as I am concerned. This is why I always say Israel always holds the high moral ground.

Howdy Indrajaya; The Fourth Geneva Convention (FGC) is quite specific about the criteria which must be met before an individual can be declared to be a POW including the wearing of insignia which is recognizable at a distance to distinguish themselves from the civilian population and membership in the armed forces of a legitimate state government with a well-defined chain-of-command which goes up to the top dog in that government. Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser qualify as POWs, but the 6 Hezbollah prisoners do not. (A formal declaration of war is not required; in fact, the FGC refers to "armed conflict" instead.) The Hezbollah prisoners are "battlefield detainees" at best and criminal terrorists at worst. Hezbollah is an extra-governmental militia which both the U.S. and Israel have declared to be a terrorist organization (although the E.U. hasn't).

The Red Cross has visited the hizbollah terrorists twice. If we want to be consistent we should protest Hizbollah, which hasn?t allowed the Red Cross to visit the kidnapped Israelis not even once. You say the kidnapped Israeli soldiers were part of an occupation army. But they were in Israel proper and Israel was not attacking Lebanon. It was Hizbollah that declared war on Israel by kidnapping those soldiers and launching Katyushas at Israel

If you let your territory be used by mercenaries do you expect a free ride?

Israel runs the same risk as the US does with its "enemy combatants" policy. With little or no judicial oversight or Red Cross oversight, the opportunity for error is great. Nearly 100 of those at Gitmo have turned out to have been just in the wrong place at the wrong time. How many did the US torture unnecessarily? Who knows? Are these men truly members of Hezbollah? How have they been treated? With no oversight, who really knows? The US, Israel and most other countries entered into the Geneva Conventions for a simple practical reason, self-interest. How we treat the prisoners of others is how we expect others to treat ours if they become prisoners.

Surrendering rather than fighting to the death against "weak and cowardly" Israelis. Super tough super motivated or just super Arab propoganda? The uber hero Nasrallah who cannot preaches martyrdom keeps himself well hidden.

How did that "shame" Hisbula. What goodwill did they offer in return? Are the Israelis still alive? Do you expect Israel to sit on its hands?

Oh, really! "most hatred comes from the Muslim world". You mean like Bosnia, Rwanda, Northern Ireland, US war on Iraq? "Most Europeans regret the Shoah", but it doesn't stop Hollanders shouting anti-semetic remarks at football matches.Don't tell me that the only Jew haters in Europe are Muslim. People of all kinds get harrassed at school, everywhere. I was bullied in school for bewing Jewish by....surprise...Christians. Most Arab "anti-semitism", is simply anti-Israel. On Arab TV they show the heavy handedness of Israel. In case you didn't know, Arabs are Semites.

Where is the turn around? The prisoners in Israel are well treated. Herein the demands for the Hizbollah terrorists to be treated as they deserve.

Do not bother to deny they were launching missiles and using command and controll centers in civillian areas. Stop using human shields,fight like men!

This I found amusing: 'incredible peace process in autonomic area of Aceh' What I saw on TV was desperate poverty & woman not allowed to work because of Sharia law, punishable by beating! Tell me (& Fox), my Muslim friend, what are you trying to achieve by posting to Talkback all the time, always in the negative? Have you ever been to Israel? Have you ever met any Jews? They are actually very nice people generally; I know you may find it hard to believe, but I think you might be a teeny weeny bit biased. Could this be a result of the Indonesian school system? Do schools in Indonesia show Israel in an atlas?

The Red Cross has no business in Israel. They should go wherever the Israeli kidnapped soldiers are being held and, at least, give them clothes. Also, where is the UN and its claims for human rights? -Demand the Israelis be released. Otherwise, declare war on Hizbollah and flatten the terrorists strongholds and the terrorists, all at one.

Leave the hizbollah terrorists stark naked and put them into a freezing camera.

Iam one of those seculars who do not delve in religiuos matters.However stupidity such as yours makes it incumbant on me to respond. Since Arabs and Jews are descendants of Abraham,do you ponder over the fact that there are 300 million Arabs and only 15 million Jews.Those Moslems you talk about with such venom number over 1.5 Billions.Did Islam get to be where it is today were it not for people like you.Idiot!! It is a shame that bigots like you can participate in such a civilized and fair forum.Your history is lacking and so are you.

The more people hear the attitudes of the allegedly "peace loving Israelis" the more they see what little desire they have for a 2 state solution. Perhaps the better way would be to undo the mistakes of 1948 and go back to the status quo. Cancel the right to return of Jews (as most of them now are european and not of ME descent) and let the Palestinian refugees return to Palestine. Then Jews, Christians and Arabs can live together in Palestine under democratic rule.

I believe Israel is right to block the visits of the Red Cross to those Hizbollah people. The Geneva Convention does not apply to terrorists.

The Hizbollah terrorists belong to an organized terrorist-group financed by Syria and Iran with the sole goal to destroy the State of Israel. They wear NO uniform and are NO soldiers of any national army of any particular state. They are arbitrary anarchists outside the laws of every established society. The idea of applying the Intl.laws and letting the Red Cross visit them is totally absurd! Whereas the abducted Israeli soldiers serve the Israeli army and by ALL the Intl. standards should be treated as POWs and let the Red Cross visit them. The treatment of the abducted Israeli soldiers should be the issue here for which the Intl. community and Israeli gov. should raise their voices for and press the Pals the way Israel is pressed by the world: not the other way round!

The probem as well is that because US is flouting international law then Israel thinks it is ok to do so. The problem is that Israel and US think themselves above the law. You know you have made a valid point by the way when you get attacked by the rottweilers on talkback i.e. Paul Harris et al - dont worry just one of their many tactics to keep the truth of the postings so they can live in their deluded mindset

Killing of innocent children and justifying it as a war on terror is horrendous. It?s no different the a suicide bomber be it in Israel, Iraq, London, Bali, Afghan, Turkey, Spain, India, etc. Violence will not result in peace; dialogue will. Paul, Europe and USA are democracies as such legal immigrants are welcome; I know it?s hard for you to understand being of German descent and all but please try.

"You (Israel) created Hizbollah"; Gus, Israel is NOT responsible for how you CHOOSE TO REACT to Israel. You could have chosen the road to peace with Israel,too! YOU HAVE THE POWER OVER YOUR OWN CHOICES, OVER YOUR OWN FEELINGS; when you understand this basic existential truth, you will take the first step to mental maturing. Between the stimuli and the reaction to the stimuli, everybody is totally FREE TO CHOOSE his/her reaction to the stimuli! Those, who are "reactive", meaning: with no self-restrain, react on their FIRST impulse to the stimuli, whereas those with a brain, take time to reflect on what would be the best way to react to that stimuli. The responsibility in both cases is all yours ALONE, nobody else's! STOPPING THE BLAMING-GAME AND TAKING ONE'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR ONE'S CHOICES LEADS TO MENTAL DEVELOPMENT. Good luck, Gus!

could see them twice!! And this probably during their "siesta" time!!

Hezzballah is the military of Lebanon? so then Lebanon has how many armys? I think i read the that Lebannese army is now helping to patrol South Lebanon.Hezzballah is the military arm of the party,no country can have 2 armys .It'S A BUNCH OF TERRORIST SCUM

..."indrajaya is not representative of my beautiful country..." I really doubt that you are an Indonesian (what a name you got there?). And most importantly, I have never claim my self as a representative of Indonesia (a beautiful country as you mentioned).

Israel, which constantly tells the world of it's huge commitment to human rights and Judaiic values, now plays Tit for Tat. How would it hurt if Israel let the Red Cross visit the prisoners, and use this demonstration of kindness to shame the other side into doing the same? Forget justice, this is simply called good Public Relations.

i live in indonesia and i must say that the views spewed out by my fellow countryperson indrajaya is not representative of my beautiful country. indrajaya's hatred and jealousy of the jewish people is indrajaya's problem and not indonesia's.

Lebanon allowed the PLO to set up a "nation within a nation" in the 1970's and '80's. The PLO used Lebanon as a base from which to attack the free, independent sovereign state of Israel. Israel invaded Lebanon and expelled the PLO. Lebanon than repeated the same mistake and allowed the terrorist group Hizbollah to set up a "nation within a nation" in Lebanon. Hizbollah attacked the free, sovereign state of Israel multiple times and kidnapped Israeli Jewish soldiers. Israel again struck back. Lebanese Hizbollah terrorists have no rights as soldiers as they are terrorists, pure and simple. Just the same as the terrorists held at Guantamo Bay, just as the terrorists held by MI-5. Terrorists have no rights. Period.

How ridiculous are they? A bunch of terrorists bombing civilians and hiding behind civilians and they want some form of international protection status? Hanging them was a good suggestion.

Arabs living on OUR land who want to live by their own rules are just that: settlers! First, what do you mean: MY land beyond 1967? I am Israeli nor Jewish, but actually blond and blue-eyed Germanic. 'Hate is not a monopoly of one race', but in the modern world most hatred comes from the Arab/Muslim world. Pope John Paul II asked for forgiveness for the wrongs the Catholic church caused the Jews. Most Europeans regret the Shoah. Now we have to deal with Muslim anti-Semitism in Europe. The German 'J?dische Allgemeine Zeitung' wrote that a Jewish girl was harrassed and beaten by Muslim pupils in a school in Berlin-Kreuzberg. Muslim anti-Semitism is a problem in all of Europe: Ilan Halimi killed in Paris early last year, 'visible' Jews (wearing a kippa or an Orthodox outfit) being harrassed etc. Aycan Demirel of the 'Kreuzberg Initiative against anti-Semitism' says anti-Semitism is spread through Arab TV, as most Muslims never met a Jew nor know a thing about Judaism.

..."atrocities committed against those seeking autonomy..." ..."You are a hypocrite and a minor thinker..". It is an honor to be called a minor thinker by a "MAJOR" one like you Fox. C'mon, be too personal and emotional can't help things, my Jewish friend. Beside, we are making incredible peace process in autonomic area of Aceh, and her local election recently highly admired by the rest of the world as democratic and transparent. If not, how come a former rebel can be a GOVERNOR of ACEH? ADMIT THAT A LITTLE WON'T KILL YOU.

I really couldn't care less if you call them POW's or not. I merely wished to point out to others reading Talkback how hypocritical you are. G-D has been very kind to the Jewish people and has returned us to our homeland as he promised he would in the Bible. We have built, and continue to build a wonderful country. There are so few of us, and yet, we have overcome the hatred of the entire Moslem world and most of the Christian world as well. We will continue to win and to grow in our land, and there's really nothing you can do about it.

6 men where are the 500 capture is this a joke

....on REAL POWs, like on the Israeli Army soldiers, should be made illegal by the Intl.Law. I hope Israel will suggest this to the new secretary of the UN, who has given us hope that reason will prevail AT LAST in the UN.

Two-Pack wrote, "Hate my friend is not a monoploy of one race." And you my friend are proof of your statement. Your agenda does not excuse you miss.

Actually Indy, the Yes comment was an answer to the question is Indonesia to big for it to handle? The answer was "Yes" it is too large. such a beautiful country, filled with raw materials and the people live like crap. No real democracy, a poor economy, and assorted atrocities committed against those seeking autonomy. Indonesia is a disgrace. that Indy cares little about his own country is sad. I certainly hope you enjoy particpating in the freedoms all of us in Israel enjoy. As for them being POW's it is irrelevant. They should be treated no better than those Israelis held in Hezabollah hands. At least we are all aware of their existence. They have lawyers and their case is debated in the media. whereas the Israelis held by "all that is evil" have not been visited by any international organization, no pictures, no recordings, no lawyers. But this is how you like things eh Indy? You are a hypocrite and a minor thinker.

SINCE HIZBOLLAH ARE NOT PART OF THE LEBANESE GOVT BODY THEY CAN NEVER BE LEGALLY CONSTITUTED POWS .THEY DID NOT WEAR LEBANESE ARMY UNIFORMS AND THEREFORE COULD BE SHOT ON SIGHT AS AGENTS OF TERROR !! STOP WRITING TRIPE IN EVERY POSTING

Did the Lebanese government authorise the invasion? Has Lebanon acknowledged them as part of their army with their orders,salaries etc. coming from the Lebanese govt. ? How do they qualify as legal combattants as opposed to Iranian mercenaries?" ------------------------------ Thank you for making a gread point so why then did Isreal as I recall enviromently destroy Beruit beachs, bombed roads, power plants, army barrics, etc. and killed thousands of civilins?

'your whole raison d`etre on here seems to be, to wind up or antagonise people you call zionists. I am not a Zionist, but idiocy combined with belligerence has the capacity to rouse the tempers in many more than just plain zionists!' You got it in a nutshell Hubal! Clickfool complains when Israel is criticised, its supporters or sympathisers hysterically cry anti-semitism in order not to address the legitimate points raised (which I have to say some do..), but then he conveniently labels anyone who challenges him some sort of rabid Zionist.. as you say, I'm sure that plenty of people who don't always agree with his over-simplified take on the Arab-Israeli conflict (me for one) are not 'Zionists' at all.. just frustrated at how someone who claims to be an outsider, based in the UK, but professes to be knowledgeable on these issues, can adopt such a convenient, easy-on-the-brain, black and white approach to an incredibly complex situation.

First its not your land beyond '67 borders; see UN resoultions my friend. Please correct me if I'am worng but Hilter was not a Muslim. So why did Christians sit back and let Jews get massacred; after all they were in power throught the World. Hate my friend is not a monoploy of one race.

The GC refer to POWs as captured uniformed soldiers of a sovereign nation. The GC explicitly exclude non-uniformed para-militaries from protection. Though they aren't POWs and the Palestinians won't treat real POWs according to the GC, the Court should do the right thing and say so. Sadly, I don't expect it.

Isreal can't just pick and choice what laws it wants to follow. That would make it a hypocrite. They are POWs since it was a war and so are the captured IDF soldiers. As such both sides need to be held accountable.

Did the Lebanese government authorise the invasion? Has Lebanon acknowledged them as part of their army with their orders,salaries etc. coming from the Lebanese govt. ? How do they qualify as legal combattants as opposed to Iranian mercenaries?

And how many times did our soldiers, kidnapped on the soil of their own country see the Red Cross? NONE. Quite right Israel. What's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. If Lebanon wants to play fast and loose with internationals regulations she should feel the weight of her games on her own citizens too.

They are members of an illegal terrorist organization, which is responsible for hundreds if not thousands of murders, therefore they can't be prisoners of war.

..."I simply inserted the names of OUR 2 prisoners..." I would be happy to call them POW, but of course they are not POW from the last Lebanon War started in the mid-July 2006. Because their capture that triggered that war. If you are agree with me that before July 2006, Israel and Hezbollah were technically at war, yes, they are POW.

"The Hezbollah fighters in Israel`s hands cannot be compared two Zionist soldiers in Hezbollah`s hands, as the Israeli soldiers were part of an occupation army." clickfool Try as I may, I find no semblance of logic or common sense in your daily ramblings. They cannot be compared? If they were occupying Lebanese territory they are still POW's you buffoon! That according to all International and UN bodies they were not occupying Lebanese territory makes your musings even more surreal. Even the Germans soldiers occupying France in WWII were POW's, dunghead. I apologise for my stridency but your whole raison d'etre on here seems to be, to wind up or antagonise people you call zionists. I am not a Zionist, but idiocy combined with belligerence has the capacity to rouse the tempers in many more than just plain zionists!

Ask the United States how to treat terrorists? Israel always tries to be "more christiaN THAn the pope". If they are granted POW status, then tomorrow we might as well grant it to hamas!

..."Is Indonesia too big for the people and their government to properly govern and handle?..." I take that as a "YES" that those 6 Hezbollah militants are POW.

Arabs do not only hate Israel, they hate the USA, they hate Europe, they hate Christians and Hindus, they hate blacks, they hate women, they hate homosexuals, HATE, HATE, HATE. This hatred is comes from a deep-rooted inferiority complex as the whole world is doing better than the Arabs. There are 1.6 billion Arabs and Muslims, but 2.3 billion Christians! So who is right? Hizbollah is just one of the Arab / Muslim hate groups that seeks world domination. Millions of Arabs left their failed states and came to the West. Many of us hope they will leave OUR lands.

"Tell me who your friend is and I"ll tell who you are". This proverb fits you well. If you are stooping so low to defend the Hezbollah and see them as a liberation movement(liberation from what,isn't Lebanon a free country, maybe you mean liberation from Syria?), it says something about you and what kind of a person you are!

The Hezbollah prisoners are POW's if the Lebanese gov't. says that Hezbollah forces are part of their official army, thus admitting responsibility for the incident which sparked the war. In that case, they become responsible also for our captured soldiers & must garantee visits by the Red Cross. Otherwise, the Hezbollah prisoners are not POW's but members of an outlaw terrorist organization.

Allow me to quote you word for word: Since the last Lebanon War been called a "WAR," the men or women of enemy combatant who were captured during those war would automatically be called "PRISONERS OF WAR" (POW). Their status ( Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser) should be protected under the GENEVA CONVENTION. Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser. I simply inserted the names of OUR 2 prisoners. I'm sure you would agree with the content wholeheartedly. You do, don't you?

These 6 should be removed from our Holy Land immediately! Their presence is an occupation of our holy soil and thus an abomination. Send them back to Lebanon. Ah, maybe not Lebanon as that is our holy land too!

And sent Katyusha rockets at civilian Israeli targets for years, since you equate Hezbollah with Lebanese army. So why complain if Israeli army reacted in force? And adding your laughable argument that Israeli response to attack into Israel by Lebanese Army was "illegal". Surely illegal is the refusal of Lebanese Government, of which Hezbollah was part, to allow the Red Cross to visit Israeli POW?s even once.

In the last week in Indonesia another passenger boat capsized killing numerous folks, nobody knows that numbers on board, which is normal for this third world country. The navy and government have taken alot of flak because they took quite a while to get a search going. A few days later a passenger plane went down, the Indonesians still do not know where the plane is. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..................... Is Indonesia too big for the people and their government to properly govern and handle? Why Yes! I think it would be a good idea for the Indonesians to grab a chunk of poorly governed land and turn it into a home for wayward Palestinians. While they are at it they can also take in some hard working Lebanese. During this season of Rahmin, it would be a nice gesture for the Moslem Indonesians to put their actions where their mouths are, and give their brothers a helping hand and a piece of land, far away from those horrible zionists.

Perhaps these 6 POWs are the 'tasty morsels' that olmert said had been caught in the daring-do raid on the hospital in Lebanon. What an outstanding success that was!

Brigette, that was well written but hogwash nonetheless. Your pseudo science of saying that Hezbolah is part of the government and thus part of the army is but a lie. Let me reel you back into reality. When the conflict came to a end, how could the Lebanese army be sent in to dis-arm the Lebanese army (Hezbollah). Simply doesn't amke sense. How can a small group in an army instigate a war, without passing this through the proper military and governement channels. Hezbollah is a militia. They have no strict ties to the Lebanese military. They do not wear the uniform, use the same weaponry and they take their orders from Nasrallah and not the governemnt. They would also not hesitate to shoot any Lebanese soldiers that came to disrupt their huge arms and drug running schemes. Alot of Lebanese and other Middle Easterners are making huge profits off the Hezbollah. As for being POW's it is not an issue. Either Hezbollah plays by the rules or screw it.

Briggitte, you spoke the truth but is there any one in Israeli reading or listening. I sure hope that they are people who are. I know most Israeli want peace but the one writtin in this post are from a different planet. Planet hate and hypocracy.

By the values it claims it stands for, or by the rules of the neigborhood? How does this now, make Israel more moral then the others?

According to most Arab all the Israeli army and IAF are terrorist zionest, they look at you and at your government as an occupier and as tyrant, so what shall they do to your soldiers. You are about 17 millions. The Arab and Muslims are 1.6 billion, so who is right and who is wrong. Hezbullah was created by israeli invasion and occupation. They are your product. Without your tyrany, they will be farmers like their parents and grand parents and great grand parents. We in South Lebanon has been farmers for a 1000 year. You kicked the Palestinians to our lands then occupied it then destroyed it and its farms and now you are saying that we are terrorists. You created this resistant movement, now you pay the price. leave our land, our people and build another big wall so we can live in peace. Build as many walls as you want, it is the walls of this big prison for you and for the Palestinians. Do you really think that these walls will protect you. Only fools can believe that.

When have the Arabs ever shown any humanity towards Israel prisoners? Never. They shouldn't expect anything.

Your advise is not a good one, since you claim civility and we know that your government have none, you should give another advise. Stop interfering in other country's affair, stop violating our soverignty, stop killing your subject the palestinians, stop buying time to build more settelement, stop steeling lands and stop jailing thousands of innocent Palestinians will be a better advise. As to Hezbullah fighter, they will return, today or tomorrow, remember that most Israeli believe Hezbullah chief more then they believe their own PM. He has something about him, hate him or love him. He does not lie, as he said, all prisoners will be back and soon, you can count on that . I personally do not like him but I believe every word he says. For the last 20 years, he never lied and he always diliver. Your men will be back when the fool Olmert give his word to the negotiater and accept the List.

""The Zionists are merely being consistent. The Hezbollah fighters in Israel`s hands cannot be compared two Zionist soldiers in Hezbollah`s hands, as the Israeli soldiers were part of an occupation army. "" Indeed Clickfool.Two Israeli captive soldiers cannot be compared to 6 Hizballah fighters.Not even to six hundred Arab detainees in Israel. Hizballah and its masters in Teheran want thousands of Arab prisoners in exchange for the two Israeli captives because in their twisted inhuman primitive Jihadist ideology thousands of Arabs are worth less than one Israeli. Israel would gladly exchange the 6 Hizballah fighters for the two Israeli prisoners but the Islamist bullies would rather let them rot in captivity because that's how much they care for them and for the rest of their own people not to mention the Iranians who would rather fight Israel to the last Lebanese or Palestinian Arab than help them build a decent life in peace and prosperity.

Since the last Lebanon War been called a "WAR," the men or women of enemy combatant who were captured during those war would automatically be called "PRISONERS OF WAR" (POW). Their status should be protected under the GENEVA CONVENTION. No recognition needed from Israel's High Court. Israel has broken the law by abusing their basic rights.

Since the last Lebanon War been called a "WAR," the men or women of enemy combatant who were captured during those war would automatically be called "PRISONERS OF WAR" (POW). Their status should be protected under the GENEVA CONVENTION. No recognition needed from Israel's High Court. Israel has broken the law by abusing their basic rights.

Mr. bounce. Hezbullah cheif did say that they are in good health and alive. They also said that they will be released when Israel release the list that was provided to the israeli. It is very simple. When you keep Arab in your jails, you will have someone who will take your citizens to swap. There is no other way that they can think of and from History Israel understand only one language. We can start another language. Leave the land of Lebanon, Leave the prisoners of Lebanon. Stop killing the palestinians so us moderate can start preaching peace again. You have left no one any room to talk peace because you think might is the way. Will might is not the only way, talk and understanding and respecting human dignity is another. This goes for both. Arab and Israeli but lately it seems that the Israeli are the one who are on a war spree and if you do not take the opportunity of talks with Syria and respect Lebanese soveringty, they will be no peace but more training for Hezbullah.

Israel should treat them as POWs if Hezbollah will treat the Israeli captives as POWs as well. It is a humanitarian issue that should be respected mutually.

You said hang them with their lawyers. How do you like it if Hezbullah hang your soldiers? Whay you wrote shows how much some of the israeli are hateful. If Sharon kept his word about freeing all the Lebanese prisoners, we would have not been in this position. Hate does not do it. Understanding your enemy will. Whey you leave our land in south Lebanon and free our prisoners then we will have peace. Also read President Cartger last book, he sais. "Peace will come to Israel when Israel respect international laws". He is not an Arab and he is not a Muslim, He is a christian who saw your violation and theft of Palestinian lands and dignity. Realty is you have few millions with in Israel/Palestins that need to be freed or treated like citizens. Not like second class human. Respect them, give them their right, then you will have peace. Hanging them will not solve your problem, it created many more.

Funny, the Israeli always see it one way, they think that the world do not know how they treat and torture the Palestinians, the rightful owners of the West bank and Gaza and East Jeruslam. We know how you use electricity and sleep deprivation. We know how your Mosad and secret service put people on gril and burned them alive, we know about your civilized tactic of striping and killing teen age who fought againsty your tyrany. We know how you put children in jails and how you slap them and hit them until they learn how to hate you and hate everything about you. Yes it is not fair that Hezbullah does not let the red cross see your men but Hezbullah was created by your invasion and by your occupations and by your injustice. Do not cry when you create these people. Look at yourself and your stratigy of hate, killing and destruction then you will find out why they are the way the are.

On one hand: 1. Treating Hezbollah?s militants in a humanitarian way could give the wrong message to Israel?s enemies that they can get away with their enmity or their crimes against Israelis. 2. Humanitarian treatment is not understood and not popular among big chunk of populace since it conflicts with the human wild instinct of vengeance as average human beings. On the other hand: 1. Most of the above is wrong. Israel?s enemies are deterred by the strength and efficiency of its army and security forces and not by its inhumanity. Look at Iraq, both sides are inhumane but it does not deter either of them. Being inhuman is not a factor. 2. Captured Hezbollah militants have no memory that they are the aggressors or the hostile side. In their minds, as planted in them, they are resistors of occupation. They have no awareness other than that. 3. I prefer to see Israel treating them in a humanitarian way as per the international laws and make a point to the whole world of that performance via media campaign. Not to brag but to set a role model of civilized performance in this part of the world where human life and dignity has no value. Those individuals and their families would be the first messengers stating that Israelis are not the demons Hezbollah is claiming they are. 4. Mistreating 6 Hezbollah militants does not solve the hate of millions and would not avenge Israel. The list of pros goes on but most important of it is that I hate to see Israelis become same like the other people in the Middle East, full of hate, vengeance and violence rather than being the Democratic, moral People I think.

Hizballah prisonners cannot be POW, tey are terrorists. We should rent an island in Alaska to keep them healthy.

THEN AND ONLY THEN !!

EVEN THE POLICE IN THE USA ARE ARMED JUST LIKE THE CRIMINALS .

it was not a war with Lebanon govt or military. u shld be praying that these 'warriors' get their virgins as promised to them by their god.

Hezbollah was declared national resistance in Lebanon by the government itself. Hezbollah is part of the government. It follows that the Hezbollah prisoners should be granted POW standing. The practice of both the U.S. and Israel who declare any person, group or nation who resists invasion, occupation and oppression, terrorists, is not maintainable under International Law. Every person, state and people has a right to self-defense. Hezbollah rightfully and effectively defended the entire state and population of Lebanon against Israeli aggression in the absence of functional Lebanese armed forces. That made them effectively into Lebanon's army during the recent Israeli attack, all the more that Israel's attack was not proportional to actual threat and therefore illegal, because motivated by unrelated intentions.

Also Hizbulla should give access to red cross to the IDF POW's

Let this be a fair prisoner-trade; as one commentator said, 2:1, with the odds against Israel unfortunateley, but that's what you get for being ethically, morally, organizationally and intellectually superiour. Perhaps all of those opposed to our existence will see that this discussion and the associated news-bit is once again an illustration of the glaring and global double-standard that faces Israel, America, Canada (congratulations, we've made it in the club) England, Australia and every other nation whose aspirations are governed by civility.

Shlomo's response made me proud. While one sympathises with the anger of the majority of your respondents, decency and Jewish teachings [E.g. "Do not do unto others as you would not have them do unto you" - Hillel. What exactly does "never again" mean?] obliges Israel to allow the prisoners visits from human rights organisations (but NOT the Red Cross which refused to admit Magen David Adom for decades). As for world opinion: When whatever Israel does it's damned, Israel has perfect freedom to act as it sees fit since its actions won't change that opinion. Hillel again: "If I am not for myself who is for me? ..." As for following Hizballah's precedent: (1) They don't care about their lumpen-followers, so no bargaining chip there. (2) What a sad example to lower oneself to. (3) Israel, especially its legal institutions, must do the right thing 'cos that's what a Jewish state does. Hillel, continued: "... and if I am only for myself what am I?"

Why should anyone be surprised that Zionist policy does not allow for basic human rights and prohibits visits of Red Cross representatives to POW's? The Zionists are merely being consistent. The Hezbollah fighters in Israel's hands cannot be compared two Zionist soldiers in Hezbollah's hands, as the Israeli soldiers were part of an occupation army. The Hezbollah fighters were defending Lebanon against occupation.

Was it a war with Lebanon or Was it a terrorist attack? If it was a war with lebanon then they should be treated as POW's. If it was a terrorist attack,then pretty much its as everyone has said about the Israeli attack on Lebanon, just Collective Punishment paid upon the innocent Lebanese citizens. Either way no matter how you slice it, as many people here have said and implied: Israel is no better then the terrorists they fight. They basically practice the same style as any other terrorists, maybe slightly different. Assasinations, Kidnapping, Extra-Judicial punishment, the use of human shields wether they be enemy or friendly, sabotage, denial of rights when being held prisoner. The same thing just packaged differently. It has nothing to do with bashing Israel..its just a plain truth.

They will only gain respect on Arab street through the fear they will place in the hearts of men. lots of fear and lots of respect on the arab street. so much so your prisons are over flowing with those that want to distroy you. respect? really?

Of course, these are not POWs, but criminals, members of criminal terrorist mafia Hizballah. Of course. Still, they should be allowed to receieve visits of the Red Cross, because Israel is orderly state, where criminals, held in jails, have rights. Israel should not imitate Hizballah, we don't want to degrade to the lowth of our enemies. It is obvious, that Hizballah will not allow visits of the Red Cross to the kidnapped soldiers just because its own members are denied such visits: these thugs do not care for their own people and even for their own gangsters.

most on this talkback that want to hang, let rot and so on do not live in israel, have never lived here and where not affected by the war. they are long distance Zionists. though just the other day indeed they where mouthing off about how well prisoners were treated in israeli jails. pal prisoners are treated just as great as leb prisoners. these long distance Zionists should make up their minds though, which is it?

By their own admission they are not part of any recognized army but an illegal militia. Not only they are they considered terrorists by Israel, they are criminals for breaking the Lebanese law as well as International laws. However, since they are not Israeli citizens they are not entitled to the legal protections, as would be the case in any country in the world. The IDF soldiers kidnapped by Hezbollah are, on the other hand, part of an internationally recognized armed force and should be treated within Geneva convention. Failure to do that, including allowing Red Cross to visit is a violation of International law and in itself, a war crime.

Treat them exactly the way Hezbo ?treats? the Israeli hostages. This is even way too much, but we are not animals like them.

Months of fighting,tanks planes,and thousands of soldiers in South Lebanon,and quite a few of them were killed. And all we get is 6 miserable Sh.ts.

No matter what Israel will do they will always be portrayed by the media as the monsterous bully, the villan goliath persecuting the weak, killing innocent Arabs, conquering land that is not theirs while abusing and displacing everyday people, and aimlessly and unhumainly torturing those in captivity - Even if this is far from the truth. So what does Israel have to lose if they begin acting as the world allready percieves them? They will only gain respect on Arab street through the fear they will place in the hearts of men.

Lebanese may be tough, but jews are smart. You might have brave men, but we have atomic weapons and laser guided munitions. If we wanted to, we could drop some biological agents and exterminate your entire country. Sorry, but you lose.

Hell.. just the other day you Israeli apologists were mouthing off about how well prisoners were looked after in Israeli jails,today you want to hang them,labotomise them,let them rot no visits the list go'es on. It just shows you,you're all full of shit,as usual.

... Lebanon, only then should the Red Cross be allowed to visit Hizballah soldiers in the service of Iran captured by Israel !!!

These terrorists are complaining that they don't have proper winter clothing? I thought they were a bunch of fearless fighters who were desperate to become martyrs. Perhaps their lawyers should complain that they aren't allowed Ipods in jail.

Hezbollah's captured fighters don't recognize Israel but now suddenly lend credence to its existence and authority by petitioning its High Court for a favorable POW standing? These fighters are constantly on an aggressive war footing with Israel by instigating attacks, and had previously usurped Lebanon's official capacity to control all of its sovereign territory, so they deserve whatever fate the Israeli judicial system decides is proper for them.

Its ok, we dont need blankets or the red cross. We are ten thousand times stronger than any Israeli. God Bless the Lebanese.

Why should we do this when their own group denies the same for those soldiers they captured that ledto the war last summer? Why should these terrorist get Red cross visits ,when their own people in Lebanon deny the same to our soldiers being held there?

Nassarallah regard this 6 terrorists as traitors for they have been singing , , , It wouldn't be a surprise to find some terror Hamas operatives training in Iran , , , They of course will play Iran interests in Gaza against Egypt interests in Gaza , , , endoctrine mercenaries , , , Same as in 1244 when Khwarezmians tribes that run away from Genghis Khan , ,were hired as mercenaries by Egypt's Sultan to defeat cruisaders and handed over to him Jerusalem , , , It is nice to know that Christianity and Islam view Jerusalem as Holly City , my eyebrows raise in consternation at the value of human life given thru the killings commited in the name of Islam to be in control of Jerusalem thru the control of the West Bank , starting with Gaza , Jericho , Ramallah , Hebron , , , 6th century to 2006 Islam still is very much the same , his followers also , , , You want to know what Islam is , said the bizantyne Emperor , look at his followers actions , , ,

This is a joke, I am sick and tired of various organizations making accusations that Israel has commited some crime on terroist. When lebanon or whatever country decides to claim these terrorist as their countrys soldiers (IRAN) then maybe they can have some rights and then Israel can acually have a country to go after and not play hide and seek with rogue militias hiding behind civilians and then blaming the Israelis when people die. It amazing me at how everyone overlooks who Israel is dealing with; lieing, deceitful,vengeful barbarians. May all who inflict harm on Israel rot

They belong to a terrorist organization, Hizbollah, which to this day refuses to give any information regarding Don Arad who has been MIA for twenty years, and refuse to allow Red Cross visits with Regev and Goldwasser, kidnapped from within Israel's borders. Hizbollah and the radical Islamic regime of Iran believe only in the law of Sharia, but when it is question of profiting from Western humanistic values, they do not hesitate to do so. Well, if Hizbollah cares about its "fighters" it will have to start by reciprocating and allowing the Red Cross to visit Regev and Goldwasser.

let them rot in jail with no visitors, no halal food, no walks, etc.

No visits whatsoever for these hez prisoners till the Isareli soldiers held by hez are allowed a visit. So far hezbullshit hasn't even had the decency to say if they are alive or not. So nothing cushy for these guys...hard labor 23 hours a day building the leb/israeli wall

they are cold and hungry. i'm so sad for them i dont think i will be able to sleep tonight. give me a break. let me guess the Red Cross will file complants, go on tv, yell that israel is bad. is this what they are doing when hez and leb govt refuse them to see our soliders?? of course not. i can live with a 3 for 2 trade. give hez 48 hours to comply, then make it a 2 for 2 trade.

red cross worth nothing and as for physicians without borders...give them lebanese address and when they come back with definitive proof then they will be allowed until then ...one hand clapping days are over!

together with their lawyers

I agree that these guys should be allowed to be visited by the Red Cross, but I additionally agree with Israel's stance. When has Hizbollah ever allowed a visit or any sort of information about the 2 kidnapped soldiers on Lebanon (if they are indeed still there or if they are even still alive). In the absense of even the most base amount of information on these soliders, I dont blame Israel for holding out. You gotta give a little to get a little. The way Hizbollah operates, they can drop dead. These guys can disappear until their head jackass Nasrallah gets enlightened and shares some concrete information.