A contrarian view: Editor in Chief of Arab Times says Israel is acting in the interests of the people of Arab nations

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By Ahmed Al-Jarallah

Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times

PEOPLE of Arab countries, especially the Lebanese and Palestinians, have been held hostage for a long time in the name of “resisting Israel.” Arab governments have been caught between political obligations and public opinion leading to more corruption in politics and economics. Forgetting the interests of their own countries the Hamas Movement and Hezbollah have gone to the extent of representing the interests of Iran and Syrian in their countries. These organizations have become the representatives of Syria and Iran without worrying about the consequences of their action.

Recently Hamas kidnapped an Israeli soldier and bombed Israeli settlements with locally manufactured missiles. Soon Hezbollah followed suit, kidnapping two Israeli soldiers. Both these organizations claimed they had kidnapped Israeli soldiers to exchange them for Arab prisoners who are being held in Israeli jails. The fact that Hamas and Hezbollah gave the same reason for kidnapping Israeli soldiers gives us a glimpse their agenda, which is similar to the one followed by Syria and Iran in their conflict with the United States.

While the people of Palestine and Lebanon are paying the price of this bloody conflict, the main players, who caused this conflict, are living in peace and asking for more oil from Arab countries to support the facade of resisting Israel. With the Palestinian Authority close to collapse and the Lebanese government beginning to give up responsibility for what is happening in its territory, Saudi Arabia has been forced to come out of its diplomatic routine and indirectly hold Hezbollah responsible for what is happening Lebanon.

Without mentioning Hezbollah by name Saudi Arabia blamed certain “elements” inside Lebanon for the violence with Israel and said “it is necessary to make a distinction between legitimate resistance and uncalculated adventures adopted by certain elements within Lebanon without the knowledge of legal Lebanese authorities.” While reiterating its support for Palestinian and Lebanese resistance against Israeli occupation, Saudi Arabia has clearly said it is against irresponsible adventures undertaken by certain elements in the region without consulting the legal authorities putting all Arab nations at risk. The Kingdom has also said “these elements must take responsibility for their irresponsible actions and they alone should end the crisis created by them.”

This angry response from Saudi Arabia has politically isolated Hezbollah and Hamas besides holding them responsible for their actions.

This attitude of Saudi Arabia, which has been doing all it can to protect the Arab world from Israeli aggression, is enough to unmask the adventurers, who have violated the rights of their own countries and tried put their people under the guardianship of foreign countries like Iran and Syria. A battle between supporters and opponents of these adventurers has begun, starting from Palestine to Tehran passing through Syria and Lebanon. This war was inevitable as the Lebanese government couldn’t bring Hezbollah within its authority and make it work for the interests of Lebanon. Similarly leader of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas has been unable to rein in the Hamas Movement.

Unfortunately we must admit that in such a war the only way to get rid of “these irregular phenomena” is what Israel is doing. The operations of Israel in Gaza and Lebanon are in the interest of people of Arab countries and the international community.

http://www.arabtimesonline.com/arabtimes/o....asp?msgID=1242

Edited July 20, 2006 by Gupt

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

The Lebanese PM doesn't agree.

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The Lebanese PM doesn't agree.

Thus my titling of this as a "contrarian view"

[rclouse 0]

This article makes a very good point. The axiom "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" is much too closely followed in this conflict. Instead of trying to stand up for what's right (a peaceful compromise that deals with the legitimate needs of Israelis and Palestinians), Arabs too often champion anyone who "stands up" to Israel.

Al Qaeda says they hate Israel? Well, then the Arabs support Al Qaeda. They never investigate the true goals of Al Qaeda, cause if they did, they'd realize AQ's vision of the world is something the average Arab would abhor.

And the same thing here, with Hezbollah. Hezbollah, being Iran's puppet, would want to impose a Shiite theocracy on the Muslim world. Sunnis, druze, and sufis would be against that, but because Hezbollah is standing up to Israel, they're cheering them on, ignoring the goals of the organization.

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[Ban Hammer 13,345]

giddyup!

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

People act in their own interest. I don't trust someone that says otherwise.

[almaty 19]

People act in their own interest. I don't trust someone that says otherwise.

per siggie freud.."everyone's action is for a reason that is in reference to their ego" ...eveything done has a motive in all human behavior and actions

[Ric Flair 0]

People act in their own interest. I don't trust someone that says otherwise.

per siggie freud.."everyone's action is for a reason that is in reference to their ego" ...eveything done has a motive in all human behavior and actions

I agree. How could you not act in your interest? You have knowledge of something and then make a decision for a desired result. Maybe it is all logistics but I agree with Freud on this one.

wooooooooo

[almaty 19]

People act in their own interest. I don't trust someone that says otherwise.

per siggie freud.."everyone's action is for a reason that is in reference to their ego" ...eveything done has a motive in all human behavior and actions

I agree. How could you not act in your interest? You have knowledge of something and then make a decision for a desired result. Maybe it is all logistics but I agree with Freud on this one.

wooooooooo

same here, nature boy...even a good deed is done with inner motivation

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

People act in their own interest. I don't trust someone that says otherwise.

per siggie freud.."everyone's action is for a reason that is in reference to their ego" ...eveything done has a motive in all human behavior and actions

I agree. How could you not act in your interest? You have knowledge of something and then make a decision for a desired result. Maybe it is all logistics but I agree with Freud on this one.

wooooooooo

same here, nature boy...even a good deed is done with inner motivation

Like when some starts the phrase "it's not about the money...but" it really is about the money.

[Ric Flair 0]

People act in their own interest. I don't trust someone that says otherwise.

per siggie freud.."everyone's action is for a reason that is in reference to their ego" ...eveything done has a motive in all human behavior and actions

I agree. How could you not act in your interest? You have knowledge of something and then make a decision for a desired result. Maybe it is all logistics but I agree with Freud on this one.

wooooooooo

same here, nature boy...even a good deed is done with inner motivation

Like when some starts the phrase "it's not about the money...but" it really is about the money.

or....it's not you....it's me

yep - it was you

I've never heard that before though

wooooooo