Israel lost big-time in Lebanon

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Written by tush

It has several days since the UN sponsored cease fire took affect, following 33 days of fierce and bloody war between Israel and Hizbullah of Lebanon. So, who won the war? Israel's main objectives were: wipe out Hizbullah, Kill the General Secretary of Hizbullah, Shaikh Hassan Nassrullah and to secure the release of two captured Israeli soldiers. None of these objectives was met. The only thing Israel was able to accomplish was to turn Beirut into Stalingrad during WWII and the south of Lebanon into Hiroshima.

For the first time in nearly 60 years and after five wars, Israel did suffer a humiliating defeat. The casualty ratio of previous Israeli wars used to be 20 dead Arabs for each Israeli soldier killed.

Let's examine the the outcome of this war closely. Israel admitted it lost 119 soldiers with 750 injured. Israel's civilian casualties were 39 killed and several hundred injured. Meanwhile Hizbullah lost 71 of its fighters in battles. Lebanese civilian casualties were 1,077 dead, a clear indication as to which side was targeting civilians.

It is absolute poppycock for Israel to claim that Iranians were fighting along Hizbullah in Lebanon and the group's leader was hiding at the Iranian embassy in Beirut. The truth is, Israel, who bombed and killed U.N . observers in Lebanon would not hesitate to drop a nuke on the Iranian embassy had it known for sure that Shaikh Nassrullah was there. The only outsiders involved in the war were people like 22 year-old Micheal Levin of Philideliphia who was killed in Lebanon. Instead of joining the U.S. armed forces, he joined the (Israeli occupation forces (IOF), referred by Israelis as IDF).

There are at least 50,000 Jewish-Americans like Micheal Levin in the IOF. The exact number is highly guarded. Many joined after the 9/11 attacks. Serving in the armed forces of another country is grounds for revocation of U.S. citizenship. It says so on your passport.

One million Israelis spent 33 days in bomb shelter, while one million Lebanese were turned into refugees, forced to flee their homes or face death. And to Israel's surprise and disappointment, the rest of Lebanon (Christians, Druze and Muslims) opened their homes and hearts to the displaced villagers.

Israeli soldiers left Lebanon in disgrace. They were seen weeping, carrying their injured comrades, dragging their damaged tanks and bulldozers.

Meanwhile Arabs and Muslims from Morocco to Malaysia felt pride for the first time in 60 years because of Hizbullah's victory over Israel. For those who have doubts, here is what Israeli officIals have to say:

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said, "I made a mistake and I'll take the responsibility." Israel's Foreign Minister stated, "no country in the world can take Hezbollah." Ravit Ben-Simon, a 25 year-old Israeli woman of Kiryat Shimona put it simply, "Israel lost big-time."

Israel's Prime Minister's approval rating took a nose dive from 78% prior to the invasion to 40% at the start of the war.

Hizbullah's popularity has skyrocketed throughout Lebanon and the rest of the Arab and Muslim world. 87% of 17 different religious denominations in Lebanon supported Hizbullah in its fight against Israel compared to 39 % prior to the war. In Alexandria, Egypt alone, hospitals declared that 178 newborn boys were named Nassrullah.

Hassan Nassrullah's popularity is understandable. His own son, Hadi, was killed in Lebanon fighting the Israeli Army in 1978. Another son, Jawad is now a member of Hizbullah. Contrast that with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who sent his two sons to the United States in order to avoid mandatory military service. His own daughter, Dr. Dana Olmert, is a strong critic of her father's policies towards the Palestinians and Lebanon.

Israel now has learned that actions, especially reckless ventures have ramifications. As a result, Venezuala kicked out the Israeli ambassador in protest and the government of Costa Rica will move its embassy in Israel from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv.

Israel gambled and lost this time. In terms of lives, equipment and not least of all, in the court of world opinion, Israel proved that might doesn't always make right.

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