phosphorus incendiary bombs

BEIRUT: Lebanon accused Israel on Sunday of using banned weapons against Lebanese civilians in its military offensive against the country.

President Emile Lahoud said Israeli forces have fired "phosphorus incendiary bombs, which are a blatant violation of international laws, ...against Lebanese civilians."

He called on the United Nations to help "deter Israel from using destructive weapons which violate human rights and the United Nations charter."

The Lebanese government also accused Israel of using banned weapons against Lebanese civilians. "We are facing a real annihilation carried out by Israel," Information Minister Ghazi Aridi told reporters after the cabinet meeting.

"Israel is using internationally prohibited weapons against civilians," he said. Military sources said that Israel had used phosphorus incendiary bombs and implosion bombs, which suck up the air and collapse buildings. From the Lebanon Daily Star

This report was patched fairly roughly, but I expect reporting under the pressures in Beirut doesn’t allow for niceties.

Whatever Israel’s thin justification for their actions, the choice of phosphorus incendiary bombs against civilians is downright criminal.

Israel could have carved out their niche, and still allowed a compromise state for the dispossessed Palestinians. They could have easily achieved that over the past thirty years.

Instead they chose to build their future on the aggressive bluster on which they were founded, now risking the very same crimes they were escaping from.

As for the US, I will cite Reality Based Educator’s blog:

"Gingrich Says We're In WWIII, GOP Should Use This Against Dems in The Midterms"

Yes, a republican solution to the domestic political situation, the entrenched Bush response.

Britain’s Blair has condemned Israel’s actions, but apart from sending a carrier to rescue Brits is just talking.

Canada’s Harper has sided with his new best mate, George. This is interesting because, like Australia, Canada has a large community in Lebanon. In fact there are already eight confirmed Canadian deaths and another half dozen critical. But I suppose they aren’t really Canadian’s, not the white Anglo Saxon type at least.

Australia’s John Howard is busy at the moment swatting off a challenge from his treasurer. Which is just as well, otherwise he would be sending a ship – loaded with Lebanese immigrants who don’t fit his idea of ideal Australians.

Lebanon has suffered its own diaspora, and was working hard to rebuilt a viable country. To destroy that effort, even if some in government supported Hezbollah, is insanity.

The US still supports an elected Iraqi government which is seething with troublemakers. That might have been a problem of their own making, but it does recognize the need for self determination.

With patience and diplomacy Israel could have helped build a valuable neighbour with no ti9me for subversive activities. Instead they have simply created even more enemies.

UPDATE:

G8 calls on Hizbollah to stop attacking Israel

ST PETERSBURG, Russia (Reuters) - Group of Eight leaders told Hizbollah militants on Sunday they must free abducted Israeli soldiers and immediately halt attacks on Israel to end an upsurge in Middle East violence.

That should solve everything.