ANALYSIS: Saudi criticism does not help Lebanon

..."opposition to the occupation is acceptable, but irresponsible actions, such as those of Hezbollah, are not..." I quoted the Syria FM: "We are not talking about 1 soldier here and 2 soldiers there who were captured, but about no less than 10.000 thousand lebanese and palestinians civilians who were abducted from their home and being prison in Israeli jails for years ". Isnt' that like 100 times more brutal than Gunatanamo jails to you? Nobody criticized those illegal actions of Israel for years: no Saudi leaders, no Egypt leaders, no Jordanian leaders.

we know that israel has nuclear power. it is not double standard ? israel has, but Iran not. I think Israel is digging its own grave. turkish people want peace.

You believe the Saudis new ahead of the Israeli response, which was pretty immediate. So, the action of Hezbollah was also expected, while the Northern forces were ordered to step down their state of alert. You are saying the Hezbollah forces were baited, to allow the Israeli forces to batter Shias in Lebanon with approval of Saudi Arabia, if not at the request of Saudi Arabia. Right? Well this place is crazy enoug to believe you. Who were in those 5 planes that were allowed to leave Beirout airport?

Before you make such prnouncing, learn facts first. Israel has only 2 recognized borders. With Egypt and Jordan. What you call international recognized borders with Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank ( PA ) are demarcation lines of the 1949 cease fire agreement. As long there are no peace treaties with the 3 entities, agreement for borders, there are no borders. When Barak dealt with Arafat for a palestinian state, he offered borders with a swap of land to compensate areas of the WB. arafat did not accept it, not because it was less of what he wanted, but because he never wanted to make peace. This is the truth

To Mr. Adler, You are inhuman! People can't change homeland as they change a shirt or a car! Please!!! Gemma Menigatti

for me these comments of the saudis were extremely helpful. Saudi Arabia has influence over europe and the country hezbollah is responsible europeans listen and the israeli diplomatic position is enhanced. This is obvious. conversely if saudis had condemned israel that country would have been much more isolated.

Toronto Tulip, Had Israel respected International Law, retreated to its internationally recognized borders, and implement UN resolution 242, the two states solution would exist de facto and there would not be a need even for peace talks. May I remind you that Hamas did not exist in 1967? That settlements are considered a crime against humanity under International Law?

... for the fact that Haaretz writers don't hold any positions in giovernment.

Israel begins a war whit hundred dead, to save only a soldier.Israel continues to use the ancient law "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, instead of the diplomacy. The revenge seems a little "nazi". The most israeli people and his many governments, believe to by the impunity, yet in killing of innocent Lebaneses, bifore in occupation of Lands lost 2.000 years ago,in memory of the ancient persecutions and the Holocaust. The Israeli Army can't take the place of the Diplomacy!

Dave: funny how much of a mirror hate I feel reading you. Israel's long lasting survival depends on its ability to secure its Jewish constituency rights not at the expense of other consituents, but through its other constituents support for the system; not through occupation but through education and economical aid. And its legitimacy and recognized right to exist holds in the same International Law it has systematically violated for so many years and continues to do through illegal occupations, settlements, and enprisonments. Achievements through might only help build a ghetto and nurture the growth of those who will want to topple it. History has shown such ghettos not to last long in the region. It's in your hands.

The Saudi's wisely see that condemning rogue elements in a society is beneficial to that society. May the voice of moderation be the strongest!

1. Could it be that the Saudi criticism has more to do with the Shia'a Sunni divide? 2. I guess, Israel pre-warned some countries about their actions. I wonder if these conversations encompassed Saudi leaders? Saudi friends in Beirut say the handling of Saudi nationals was rather too well organised. 3. In news-speak, I guess a "Hizballah Stronghold" is a place where Shia'a live in Lebanon?

The Saudis and Arab League prefer covert action against Israel?the kind that Arafat practiced. The beauty of dealing with Meshal, Ahmadinejad, and Meshal is that they express their hatred of Israel and Jews openly and they conduct their battles overtly without the ability to control their hatred. The standard operating Arab games and tricks of the past 60 years intentionally and successfully garnered disproportionate sympathy for the Palestinians often pitting "civilized" western countries against Israel. Now a fresh wind is blowing over the Middle East, replacing the stale, suffocating air with the true sentiments of the Arab world. The famous "Arab Street" fermented with hate for the Jew over decades by the governments of ALL Arab countries, is in control. Now Israel can finally let loose on it's enemies openly without tap dancing with devils like Arafat and Abbas and without sucking up to the countries in the western world that overtly loathe the Jewish State.

I agree with you. The Saudis have a lot to fear and worry. The USA has already given up south of Iraq to Iran, in return for Iran's cooperation in Iraq. Iraq is now controled by the Shi'is, and once the US companies have made enough money there, Iraq will fall into Iranian hands. Everone will loose, except Iran and US war-lords and large corporations.

The Saudi comments do not help Lebanon, nor do they help Israel. It is also politically unwise. The Saudi regime which totally relies on the US for its own existance, is trying to please its American "allies". It is a matter of time untill all US-backed Arab regimes will collapse, and Israel will find itself surrounded by Iranian-backed regimes. Israel should seriously consider secretly supporting the Iraqi Sunni resistance movements, and protecting Syria.

The Saudi comments do not help Lebanon, nor do they help Israel. It is also politically unwise. The Saudi regime which totally relies on the US for its own existance, is trying to please its American "allies". It is a matter of time untill all US-backed Arab regimes will collapse, and Israel will find itself surrounded by Iranian-backed regimes. Israel should seriously consider secretly supporting the Iraqi Sunni resistance movements, and protecting Syria.

On all topics I am getting from time to time other peoples posts than the numbers say. Something is wrong here with the talkback system, or am I the only one?

The Middle East is a chess board where corrupt Saudis battle corrupt Iran. Israel and Lebannon are mere collateral pieces in these players way. Meanwhile, Europe, USA & Russia are also persuing their own selfish aims [oil]. Lebannon chose not to implement UN resolution 1559 & demilitarise S Lebannon because PM Siniora chose to sacrifice Israeli lives to prevent civil war in his own country, admittedly a difficult choice. But now, after repeated acts of war, the chickens are coming home to roost and it's a bit late to cry. What a tragedy the ordinary people allow the politicians to get away with this.

#4, Although I know it is politically popular to bash the Saudis, they are doing the US and Israel a great favor right now, and we should respect and applaud it. Listen, I understand the Saudis' faults. But they are the most powerful Arab state which has consistently attempted to recognize our existence and, in a war like this (with Iran) we can use allies like this (Roosevelt's Yalta meeting comes to mind). So while I abhor much about Riyadh's rule, I respect the stand they are taking now--and, frankly, am stunned by it. -Doug, DC

Although it is little by little: 1)Lebanese PM asks for help with deploying Lebanese army in the south as well. 2)Russian foreign minister calles Hezbollah bunch of terrorists. 3)Saudi's are saying about the same thing. 4)Some of the public opinion in Lebanon change as well, as we saw on Dutch TV in interviews last night. But people are very scared to say so. 5)Palestinian shopkeeper near Rafah says Gilad Shalit should be returned `for it is not good for us'. 6)Germany is still behind Israel, which does not give Europe one voice. 7)8 people killed in Haifa, which probably will intensify Israel's actions and will put more pressure on Lebanon. Risk: civil war in Lebanon.

History should teach everyone! the law of the jungle Israel is applying now will come back to haunt the Mafia that is running the show in Israel. Bush, Olmert will have their day in the garbage of history

The Saudis and Arab League prefer covert action against Israel…the kind that Arafat practiced. The beauty of dealing with Meshal, Ahmadinejad, and Meshal is that they express their hatred of Israel and Jews openly and they conduct their battles overtly without the ability to control their hatred. The standard operating Arab games and tricks of the past 60 years intentionally and successfully garnered disproportionate sympathy for the Palestinians often pitting "civilized" western countries against Israel. Now a fresh wind is blowing over the Middle East, replacing the stale, suffocating air with the true sentiments of the Arab world. The famous "Arab Street" fermented with hate for the Jew over decades by the governments of ALL Arab countries, is in control. Now Israel can finally let loose on it's enemies openly without tap dancing with devils like Arafat and Abbas and without sucking up to the countries in the western world that overtly loathe the Jewish State.

The Saudi's understand that if this war escalates into Syria the whole region will be destabilized, thereby putting their cush lifestyle in serious jeopardy. So they have elected to quell this war for awhile. However, there is a point in time coming where Moslems will choose Moslems over their greed (and the rest of us) and they will go after their religious mandate to eliminate the infidel as the Koran teaches. Then you may see Revelation 9:15 happen, that is, two billion people dead on planet Earth suddenly. That is the problem with Iran and other renegade states having nuclear weapons...they are loose cannons waiting to go off!

I shall agree proportionally with your analysis, however some statements are blurred due to poor knowledge of the Arab-Arab diplomatic conflict. The problem in the arab league like all other leagues, who should be in charge "Power". As you know, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria and Jordan are the main player in the arab league. These four are splited into two groups: Egypt-Jordan and Saudi-Syria. Before the hariri assasination, Saudi-Syria were managing Lebanon 30%/70% and Egypt-Jordan were managing Palestine 60%/40% as for Iraq "open-market". Now Syria have lost points in lebanon after "hariri's assasination" but still a back scene main player 50%, however Saudi gained the lost points. The current events will re-distribute the points accordingly: Syria 20%, Saudi's 20% and Hizbollah-Tayyar 60%, that is why the criticism came out.

Is there a David Irving School of Journalism in Israel ? Your analysis is simpply deceptive. The statements by the Arab League have been clear - and they have made a precise non-factional statement in support of "all" of Lebanon. I read this on the Internet so I do not get the print version of Zvi Bar'el's standard of work - on a roll with perforations between each sheet.

Hezbollah takes it's orders direct from Iran so any comments by the Saudis are obviously meant for Iranian ears. Even though they have meetings with Iran,I think the Saudis dont confront during these meetings.These comments serve to confront in a non confrontational way. The Saudis are very afraid of the Iranians grabbing the imagination and minds of the muslims in general and that is very threatening to the Saudis and its relationship with America.