Distorted picture of Israel-Lebanon conflict

1. The Israelis are attacking the country of Lebanon not Hezbollah

Hezbollah is a terrorist organization that operates in several countries and is not a state. Lebanon is a democratic country in the Middle East that is under attack by Israel.

2. Lebanon is Democratic

Lebanon does have a democratically elected government but like most countries in the middle east it does have its problems.

3. Lebanon isn't entirely Muslim

For those christians cheering the Israelis on in this war because they are attacking a Muslim country, Lebanon is not entirely Muslim. 52% of the country is Muslim, 42% is Christian, and 6% are Druze.

4. Israel is a new state

Many are classifying this conflict as an everlasting conflict in which Israel has constantly had to fight for its survival. The modern state of Israel was created in 1948. The ancient Israel state was created around 1211 BCE and lasted for about 1000 years. Between the 2000 years in which Israel didn't have state the ancient land of Israel was governed by various groups. Muslims took control of it in 638 and the Ottoman Empire seized it in 1517.

5. Both sides have lost equal amounts of civilian casulties?

Lebanon's casulties (828 dead)
Israel (20 dead)
Canada (8 dead)

Israel's casulties have been unscathed by their invasion and Canadian casulties are almost half of Israel's casulties.

6. Israel is a peaceful state

The Israel state was created on May 14, 1948 and since May 15, 1948 it has been at war with its neighbours. No other modern state in the world has been constantly at war with all its neighbours.

7. Everybody is against Israel

Many Jews feel everyone is against them. If they feel everybody is against them then maybe the problem is them- not everybody else who lives on this planet. The UN security council had a vote on an immediate ceasefire but the US used its veto to squash it. 10 of the 15 members voted for a ceasefire. The US was the only nation on the security council to vote against the resolution and 4 others abstained. (UK, Peru, Slovakia, Denmark)

8. Israel's army is funded by the US

No other nation received more aid money from the US then Israel since 1976. Israel's military funding from the US is about $2.4B a year.

9. Terrorism isn't the only motivation behind the Invasion

Israel controls 90% of the water in the middle east. Israel also threatened military action against Lebanon in 2002 for pumping more water out of the Jordan river. In the West Bank, Israel settlers used 4x more water than Palestians.

10. This isn't the first time Israel invaded Lebanon

The last time Israel invaded Lebanon, the Sabra and Shatila massacre killed approximately 700-3500 civilians and future Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was held personally responsible by an Israeli commission but wasn't punished.