"something sick in the heart of the Israeli military" .... Juan Cole

[RedEarth]

"Israel's present policy toward Lebanon, of striking at so many civilian targets as to hold the entire civilian population hostage, is unspeakable."

"I haven't complained about the Israeli border war with Hizbullah. I'm not sure it is wise, and I don't know how many Israelis Hizbullah even killed in, say, the year 2005. Is it really worth it? But I don't deny that Hizbullah went too far when it shelled dozens of civilian towns and cities and killed over a dozen innocent civilians, even in reprisal for the Israeli bombing campaign. (You can't target civilians. That is a prosecutable crime.) That is a clear casus belli, and I'd like to see Nasrallah tried at the Hague for all those civilian deaths he ordered. The fighting at Maroun al-Ra's and Bint Jbeil was horrible on all sides, but it was understandable, even justifiable. The fighting itself isn't going to lead anywwhere useful, though, and it is time for a ceasefire and political negotiations--the only way to actually settle such disputes."

"What was done to Lebanon as a whole is among the most horrible war crimes of the young 21st century. And that it was done tells me that there is something sick in the heart of the Israeli military and political elite, a sickness of the soul that had better be faced and remedied before our entire world catches the contagion."

http://www.juancole.com/2006/07/israelis-kill-un-peacekeepers-halutz.html

and one more line from Cole's posting today...

"the only way this conflict can end is for the Lebanese state to be strengthened so that it has a hope of dealing with Hizbullah. Uh, these actions are not, like, strengthening the Lebanese state."

http://www.juancole.com/2006/07/9-israeli-troops-killed-israel-bombs.html

[Teaser]

1. And he's evenhanded:

he has also condemned Hezbollah for war crimes. Multiple times in the last week.

Just wanted to point that out before the nutjobs start screaching about how biased Cole is.

[Warpy]

2. Something sick in the heart of their leadership

he means. As with our military in Fallujah, theirs are hardly acting on their own.

One thing I've noticed, however, in talking to young Israelis on the net, is how thoroughly they're propagandized by their military when they enter the IDF at the age of 18. They make our own Marines look kind and gentle. Kids who were reasonable, thinking human beings become frothing at the mouth Arab haters seemingly overnight. It's truly astonishing.

They've jumped the shark with this war. They've succeeded in disgusting a lot of Americans who were kneejerk, unthinking Israel supporters along with hardening opinions around the world.

Payback is going to be terrible.

[Fredda Weinberg]

3. I've heard this all before

Welcome to the middle east conflict, where it's easy to dehumanize the enemy. But those soldiers you've been speaking to have to live in the neighborhood, so their impression is probably more accurate than yours.

[Minnesota Libra]

4. OMG, you mean to tell me you want more people to................

....take the word of someone ON THE GROUND in the area :sarcasm:, instead of a writer a few thousand miles away?? :wow: Now, excuse me, but wouldn't that promote something called total fairness?? :applause:

I'm seeing a little more evidence of fairness in a few threads at DU these days but still not near enough.:spank:

edited for clarity

[Warpy]

5. The point is the impression changes abruptly

as soon as they join the IDF. Eighteen years of experience living under the gun and even having Arab friends are wiped out overnight by the conditioning.

[Fredda Weinberg]

6. What gun?

And 18 year old Israeli was born in 1988 - long after the '48, '67 and even the '73 conflicts. For the most part, Israel's managed to keep peaceful relationships with her neighbors for two decades - I'm not surprised if soldiers grow up in a hurry when they enter basic training.