Israel Caving to Terrorism

The Israelis and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah swapped dead soldiers and prisoners today. The move was a victory for Hezbollah and is a blow to Israel despite their decision to support this deal. Israel received two dead soldiers who were ambushed on an Hezbollah attack on Israel that triggered the 2006 Summer War. Hezbollah and Lebanon received 5 militants and the remains of 199 Arab fighters. The 2006 Summer War was a stalemate, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah declared "Divine Victory" since the Israelis failed to destroy them. Hezbollah said that their raison d' etre for the kidnapping and ambushing of Israeli soldiers was done in order to put pressure on Israel to release Lebanese prisoners. Two years later Hezbollah's bid succeeded with the release of these prisoners and the remains of others.

Hezbollah has been put in an uncertain position after it took over much of Beirut last May. Now it appears very strong. The government declared today a national holiday and the militants received a heroes welcome. All political factions got on the nationalist bandwagon and thanked God for this.

Israel's excuse for giving up and receiving on retaining the sanctity of the Israeli Defense Force. The dignity that was returned will be exchanged once the next kidnapping occurs. Hamas is also going to capitalize. -AP

Today Israel is weaker, the Lebanese state along with its pro-Western leaders are only getting weaker as well. Syria and Iran are prevailing. One could wonder whether this deal has anything to do with peace process between Syria and Israel, a stronger Hezbollah could give Syria carte blanche to return to Lebanon. Regardless, it shows us how terrorism pays off. It reminds us that Israeli policies over the last sixty years have been counterproductive and only continues the cycle of violence that afflict the region.