Netanyahu: Today, Lebanon's real army is Hezbollah
PM tells Knesset panel Iranian opposition to regime could serve as 'important asset for Israel.'
By Jonathan Lis Tags: Hezbollah Benjamin Netanyahu Iran Israel newsPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed addressed the security situation along Israel's border with Lebanon during a meeting of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Monday, saying that the Lebanese militia Hezbollah was taking the place of the Lebanese army as the country's major military power.
"If in the past we viewed Lebanon as a secondary military power," Netanyahu said, "today Hezbollah is the real Lebanese army, and it has replaced the actual Lebanese army as a major force that is arming itself and training like any other army."
"The Lebanese government and Hezbollah are becoming intertwined," he added. "They are the ones who would be held responsible for any attack on Israel."
In regard to Israel's indirect peace talks with Syria, which were suspended last winter after Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip, Netanyahu told the committee that Israel was ready to resume negotiations immediately and without preconditions. However, he added that he had told French President Nicolas Sarkozy that he preferred that France mediate the talks rather than Turkey, which previously served as mediator.
During the meeting, Netanyahu also urged the West to use the social "power of the Internet" to counter the Iranian threat and the Islamic regime's crackdown on its own opposition, reiterating Israel's concern over Iran's contentious nuclear program.
The prime minister declared that Iran posed a plethora of threats to the world as well as to its own people, including its "violent elections, the discovery of the nuclear facility in Qom, its deception of the international community and preventing its nation's freedom of information through the Internet."
"Iran is silencing all sources of information," said Netanyahu. "Using the power of the Internet and of Twitter against the Iranian regime is a tremendous thing that the United States can do."
The prime minister added that the "deep hatred among part of the Iranian nation against the regime" could serve as a "very important asset to Israel."
Iran's refusal to respond to the international community's offer for a nuclear deal and its opposition to exporting uranium to be enriched outside its borders underlined the West's need to stick to its threat of imposing sanctions by late December.
Netanyahu called Iran's armament the "central problem" facing the international community and said it was in the world's "utmost interest" to stop Tehran from gaining more weapons.
He added that Israel and the United States were strengthening their ties and increasing cooperation on a strategic level with regard to "information, intensive assessments and diplomatic coordination" against Iran.
Meanwhile, Iranian authorities choked off Internet access on Sunday and warned journalists working for foreign media to stick to their offices for the next three days.
The measures were aimed at depriving the opposition of its key means of mobilizing the masses as Iran's clerical rulers keep a tight lid on dissent.
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While I know it is important to inflate the Lebanon war figures for Muslim ego sometimes the facts get in the way. The truth about the tanks: About 50 tanks were hit; 22 damaged; 2-5 totally destroyed(depending on your source)1 source stated 5 tanks destroyed; another 2 tanks destroyed. Of course all pro-Arab sources wildly exaggerate the numbers upwards to soothe the Muslim ego. I am providing a neutral source below: http://defense-update.com/analysis/lebanon_war_3.htm
Today, Lebanon's real army is Hezbollah Is that because Hezbollah destroyed 25 Israel's Merkava in last days of summer war of 2006 or else, mister?
Hizbullah is not an army. It is a Shi'a Islamist political and paramilitary organisation. That caused the civil war by attacking Fouad Siniora all the rest is propaganda, takiyya and confusion of thought
that jihad has been central to Islam from the very beginnning.
Yes, Hezbollah is the real Lebanese army, in a very real and legal binding way. In fact, 1701 is very clear about this. As long as Hezb. operates under the authority of the Lebanese Government (which it very much now does), Hezb. is no longer subject to the bans in 1701. That means Hezb. is no longer banned from importing arms. There is no such thing as Hezb. arms "smuggling" anymore according to 1701. Now they are 100% legal arms importers. It also means Hezb. is no longer banned from operating in southern Lebanon. Any self-restriction they are doing now is purely voluntary and is not required under 1701. Therefore Israel has ABSOLUTELY NO justification or authority to fly over Lebanon at any time. There are no Hezb. violations anymore for Israel to document. If Israel doesn't like it, 1701 cease-fire instructs Israel on exactly what to do. Israel needs to negotiate a permanent peace treaty if Israel wants more than what they got out of 1701. Get a peace treaty.
For years now, the Lebanese "government" has not exercised sovereignty over southern Lebanon or any of Lebanon. The government of Lebanon and Syria allowed Hezbollah, an internationally recognized terrorist group, to take over southern Lebanon. Hezbollah created a state within a state in southern Lebanon a few years ago. It now is gaining power over the whole of Lebanon. Lebanon declared war on Israel in 1948 and never declared peace. It should sign a peace treaty with Israel. If Hezbollah wants peace, they should sign also.
The Palestinians. As usual, Israel continues to use the other countries as fronts to delay implementing any positive steps and confidence building measures with the Palestinians. Obviously, not only is it Israel's wish, but all of the above mentioned nations/groups including the Arab world for the "Palestinian problem" to disappear. Fortunately, the resolve of the Palestinians will never allow that to happen and freedom will come to them indeed!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/07/2-bombs-kill-34-in-easter_n_382923.html
And...Israels real army is the united states armed forces. Also, Israels real congress is in the united states. What are we to do about that, Bibi? Afterall, the attacks of September the eleventh were very good for Israel - wasn't that what you said, lo those many years ago, Bibi? I guess those attacks WERE good...for Israel...not so much for us in the US. Maybe then, Bibi, you can tell us why we're still expanding operations against a force of 100 Al Qaeda. Israel seems happy with this though. I can understand why - this means that the IDF can stay home doing what it does best - securing its rightful place among the most deranged occupation forces in history. I hear the IDF scare easily - all it takes is an errant goat to result in mass civilian casualties.
Israel is widely "believed" to possess weapons of mass destruction, and to be one of four nuclear-armed countries not recognized as a Nuclear Weapons State by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).[1] Officially Israel neither confirms nor denies possessing nuclear weapons.
Wasn't he around when Hezbollah prevented Israeli troops from claiming Lebanon's rivers 2006? Didn't Mr Netanyahu listen in on all the whining and back biting in the Israeli Knesset about whose fault it was Israel lost the war?
assuming you are right about Israel having Nukes, please quote the article you got that from, assume they do if true then being a Democracy and properly maintained chris with no Islamofacist regime it appears they do not offer to use them to throw Iran out of existance, that is unless you know something the world does not know.
that a lot of radical islam we are seeing today is a direct results of policies made dueing the Cold War by Russia and the United States. Don't know how moslem resistance to the illegal occupation by Israel fits into 7/7 or 9/11. Or even Iran achieving parity with Israel, which is nuclear armed already. Fact is Planet Earth is not a risk from a nuclear armed Iran anymore than it is ar risk from a nuclear armed North Korea or Pakistan or Israel or India for that matter. The fact is Israel had it good for forty years and now the strategic balance is shifting. Get used to it Israel's nuclear deterrent will ensure it is not destroyed. It is called Mutually Assured Destruction and the concept works.
It is necessary to legitimize Hezbollah if there is to be peace between Israel and the Palestinians. Lebanon is the sacrificial lamb.
"Israel has never conducted a long occupation of Arab land without building settlements"the only truth in your talk. The rest typical retoric from the Girl in California (Must be a town called California in Iran)
I wonder if he is married ? If his wife and daughter know they MUST wear a burka.... He cannot vote for Iranian alternatives In fact it was plain last elections were rigged , so say the Iranian People. Try to be Jewish and live there too. At least in the Israeli Knessett there are Israeli Arabs.
We are told again and again by ?experts? and ?talking heads? that Islam is the religion of peace, and that the vast majority of Muslims just want to live in peace. Although this unquantified assertion may be true, it is entirely irrelevant. It is meaningless fluff, meant to make us feel better, and meant to somehow diminish the specter of fanatics rampaging across the globe in the name of Islam. The fact is, that the fanatics rule Islam at this moment in history. It is the fanatics who march. It is the fanatics who wage any one of 50 shooting wars world wide. It is the fanatics who systematically slaughter Christian or tribal groups throughout Africa and are gradually taking over the entire continent in an Islamic wave
Anyone who says its objective is to disarm all of israel and throw it into the sea is a major threat to Israel. Regardless of sabre rattling pasts. All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.? ? Edmund Burke We are told again and again by ?experts? and ?talking heads? that Islam is the religion of peace, and that the vast majority of Muslims just want to live in peace. Although this unquantified assertion may be true, it is entirely irrelevant. It is meaningless fluff, meant to make us feel better, and meant to somehow diminish the specter of fanatics rampaging across the globe in the name of Islam. The fact is, that the fanatics rule Islam at this moment in history. It is the fanatics who march. It is the fanatics who wage any one of 50 shooting wars world wide. It is the fanatics who systematically slaughter Christian or tribal groups throughout Africa and are gradually taking over the entire continent in an Islamic wave
"This Israeli obsession towards Iran begins to be funny." Is it funny that Iran is the leading supplier of arms to Israel's enemies -- the ones which attack Israel regularly?
Also, we'll strike Iran whenever the US let us do and will have a good reason to defeat Hamas and Hizbullah once and for all as they'll openly attack us. Impunity? On a moral scale, not physical. So now that the Earth agrees with Goldstone, we have nothing to lose... better than our lives by an Iranian nuke!
A long with the rest of parties, but under the unusual insistance of israel not to include it in Leb gvt, the rest of Lebanese group gave a priority to hazballah to be a key not only as a govt decision maker but also that its arms to be use against yr agression, and above all to be as such for good, like it or not.. its our decision.
The reason there are no settlements is Israel went to STOP the cross border attacks from Lebanon. They set up a 3 mile buffer zone on the border and the attacks stopped. Israel never intended to occupy Lebanon, it was a defensive move and it worked. At least get the facts straight Natalie, explaining the reason Israel went in, in the first place would have been a good start. Unbelievable slanting of the facts.
No need to wait for any Lebanese to refute your words. The reason that Israel did not try to settle Southern Lebanon was because there were no plans to do so. You think you know so much about Israel...well all you know and care about are the negatives. Had Israel planned to take over S. Lebanon the government would have set up settlements right away. Unless you have noticed the settler movement only wants to settle land which is historically considered Israeli territory. Lebanon was never part of Israeli historical territory. Time for you to "accept the facts"
can you tell us please smthing that we dont know! even the lebanese gov accepted this by calling them not to disarm because its their defense against isr
It is necessary to legitimize Hezbollah if there is to be peace between Israel and the Palestinians. Lebanon is the sacrificial lamb.
It is necessary to legitimize Hezbollah if there is to be peace between Israel and the Palestinians. Lebanon is the sacrificial lamb.
I find it funny that some would believe Israel's opposition to a Turkish mediator finds footing in Turkey's proclivity for logic when if anything it would be Turkey's lack there of. Turkey's status as an impartial mediator ended in its hiccuping tantrums upon receiving a resounding "No vote" by the EU in joining their elite club of anglo liberalism as steeped in their own form of logic as Aftonbladet's juvenile understanding of free speech. As Turkey is currently concerned, diplomacy with Israel is superficial, a tool used to garner "Planet Earth's" accolades. When you remove their tinker-toy, their resounding logic is illustrated. How the region has forgotten the Ottomans! The Armenians and the Kurds will never forget, Damascus should remember Enver and how promising it all seemed for a time.
Israel never had intentions of developing settlements within Lebanon. Never laid a single brick. Israel wanted quiet on the northern border from the days of when the PLO controlled south Lebanon. The Pals did settle Lebanon, not just the so called refugees from 1948 but Black September refugees from Jordan. Hezbollah did not save Lebanon from anything. Like the PLO of 25 or so years ago they will involve Lebanon in yet more war both with Israel and parties within Lebanon and the economic havoc that goes with it.
The fact of the matter is that Lebanon has never had a serious central government. It's little more than a land mass of competing armed ethnic groups with a central authority that has never had the demographic support of any majority to act against the ethnic bodies. That, is the way they want it. To that end, no, there is little trust that the Lebanese military can protect the state because the existence of a central state has been limited over the past 60 years by civil war, Occupation by the Palestinan Liberation Organization, Syrian occupation, and now Hizballah. But rather than have Lebanon stand up for its own internal chaos, Mark tries to push his 'vast Israeli conspiracy' to cover for Lebanon's lack of accountability.
no to the world, Irael is not the " world " you might think it is but remember it is smaller than the state of New Jersey in size and population. Israelis should comne down to earth and see themselves what they are, insignificant. Israel keeps wanting to drag my country to fight on their behalf. Well no more.
I wonder if mr american lives in israel or iran? As a gay, jew with some arab blood , I prefere living in Israel under Netanyahu cause the freedom and normal life i can live in my country. In iran i would have been sentenced to dead, like many gay iranian people are sentenced to dead and killed by the iranian regime. Mr american should life in israel and iran some years and decide which regime he likes ...and go live there.
Should the Zionist ever attempt to Attack Iran... Not only will Iran defend its self Hizbollah and Hamas will help defend Iran... Israels days of military supremacy is already over.
Hezbollah ensures that Israel cannot use Lebanon as a valve to let of steam, or as a tool to prevent the two state solution without Israel paying a price higher than it is prepared to pay. The fact is Hezbollah has changed the strategic facts on the ground. Israel can no longer ride roughshod over the Lebanese people without paying a price. Hence Netanyahu's whinging. No mention that Israel prevented Planet Earth from strengthening the Lebanese Army so it could be used to neutralise Hezbollah I see.
Russia and China don't care that their economic cooperation with Iran undermine OIC and Arab League sunnis politics . Russia and China economic ties and diplomatic umbrella for the ayatola nuke issue renders innefective the talks about economic sanctions against Ayatola regime .
Israel has never conducted a long occupation of Arab land without building settlements. Oops, the exception is Lebanon. The IDF occupied Lebanon for close to two decades and there is not a single settlement to show for it. The reason for this, in a word, is Hizbollah. In the end, Hizbollah ran the IDF out of Lebanon and it was never safe enough to conduct settlement building. Hizbollah are the saviors of Lebanon. If any Lebanese disagree with me, then they are unable to accept the facts.
During the recent cabinet debate in Lebanon Hizbollah argued that it was the only force capable of defending Lebanon. As Israeli pressure on the USA has prevented strengthening the Lebanese Army this is true. Now the Prime Minister of Israel admits it. Why is there no Lebanese Army capable of disarming Hisbollah? Because Israel forbids it. What is Israel's great gripe with Lebanon. There is no Army in Lebanon capable of disarming Hisbollah. Circular reasoning, but necessary if Israel wants to have a punching bag to attack whenever it feels frustrated. . . . like now.
Why on earth would he declare common cause with Iran's opposition? Does he want to see them defeated, jailed, and tortured? Is he stirring trouble with Iran for his own political reasons? Distract attention from the settlements? Why is he providing Ahmadinejad with ammunition? Maybe, just maybe, Ahmadinejad and Netanahu are secret allies, both stoking fear and hatred to stay in power.
Please remind us how many Zionist Tanks it destroyed in the last forage North for the IDF... from the IDF own sources... we know at least 30 were disabled.
Israel cannot have it's own cake and eat it. They want the US to empower them, militarirly and economically, with US taxpayer dollars. To insure that, they use the double nationality of US Jews who form 10% of Israel's population. Alsi. They want the US to wage wars and eliminate potential. any potential threat, perceived or imaginary to Israel. Turkey and any other honest mediator are not good since they use logic. A mediator has to only see things from Israel's prism. And God forgive should a jew , not agree with Israel, he is a "Self Hating Jew". Baloney. Read our lips. Israel is no less a colonialist power than the ones come and gone. Israelis Jews will one day become Arab Jews living in the Arab world like many minorities.
Moussavi is not the leader of the green movement, the green movement is part of the Committee for the Liberation of Iran. When the time is right they will have a seat at the political table with the other members of the committee, which include Kurds, Shiites, Sunni's, Christians, Jews. This will be format of the the post regime democratic elected coalition government mirroring Iraq. Part of the Mossad mandate is to help all Jews abroad, so it is within their mandate to support the CLI, which is one entity regardless of religion or ethnicity.
Iran poses no threat to anybody. Even if you put it in the mildest terms, the "misconception" of Ahmadinejads speeches was based on deliberate mistranslations (cf. the one, for example, allegedly calling for wiping Israel off the map and its far more objective (and hence nearly correct) translation at Meyrav Wurmer's MEMRI.org). The country has not started a war in recent history, but was the victim of a US-backed aggression in the eighties. Altough it is surrounded by US bases and being threatened by US and Israeli war rhetoric, Iran has given substantial support for the war in Afghanistan (search & rescue operations, safe havens for American airplanes and helicopters in trouble, prevention of arms smuggling etc.). And Iran is no "natural enemy" of Israel (the latter of which supported it in the war with Iraq). The tensions are a result of the Middle East conflict and hawkish behaviour on all sides. It is about time to stop the foolish babbling and to come to terms with each other.
This Israeli obsession towards Iran begins to be funny. Can a religiously driven country which in secret has developed an astonishing amount of WMD's, has constantly wars and severe human rights violations really with some credibility judge others? Twitter is as useful to change Israel's course as it is to change Iran's.
"The prime minister added that the "deep hated among part of the Iranian nation against the regime" could serve as a "very important asset to Israel." It's that self-absorption shining through again. Bibi doesn't see the Iranian opposition as brave people struggling to be free. He sees them as an asset to Israel. I imagine Ahmedinejad's people will be getting that into the Iranian media fast.
Besides "Death to the dictator" that is unacceptable in any free society and the "rigged elections" that is wishfull thinking. They cannot even imagine that they LOST the elections. See Mousavi at Youtube to understand why. The "international community" led by Netanyahu is a paper tiger.