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Hizballah's Human Shields
by Alan M. Dershowitz
- The tragic deaths in the Lebanese town of Qana are the result of a tactic being employed by Hizballah against Israel - with considerable success, it must be acknowledged.
- These terrorists live among civilians, hide their missiles in the homes of civilians, fire them at civilian targets from densely populated areas, and then use civilians as human shields against counterattacks.
- There are only two options presented to the democracies that are victimized by these tactics: They can do nothing; or they can try to destroy the rocket launchers, with the inevitable toll of civilian casualties that any such counterattack will produce. Both options produce victory for the terrorists and defeat for the targeted democracy.
- It must become a war crime to fire rockets from civilian population centers and then hide among civilians. The terrorists, not their victims, must be deemed the war criminals. It should, of course, already be a war crime for terrorists to target civilians from anywhere. (National Post-Canada)
Cry to Those Using Babies
by Naomi Ragen
- So don't cry to me about civilian casualties. Cry to those using babies and wives and mothers; cry to those who store weapons in mosques, ambulances, hospitals and private homes. Cry to those launching deadly rockets from the backyards of kindergartens and schools. Cry to the heartless men who love death, and however many of their troops or civilians die, consider themselves victorious as long as they can keep on firing rockets at our women and children.
- Save your sympathy for the mothers and sisters and girlfriends of our young soldiers who would rather be sitting in study halls learning Torah, but have no choice but to risk their precious lives full of hope, goodness and endless potential, to wipe out the cancerous terrorist cells that threaten their people and all mankind. Make your choice, and save your tears.
- That terrorists have been unsuccessful in killing more of our women and children is due to our army, God and prayers, not to any lack of motivation or intention on their part. If you hide behind your baby to shoot at my baby, you are responsible for getting children killed. You and you alone. (Ha'aretz)
Report: Rocket Launcher on Roof of Building Attacked in Lebanon
by Roee Nahmias
The Lebanese website Libanoscopie, associated with Christian elements in the country, reported that "Hizballah gunmen placed a rocket launcher on the roof in Qana" of the building hit by Israel's air force. (Ynet News)
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IDF: 150 Rockets Fired from Qana at Israeli Cities
by Yaakov Katz
Some 150 rockets have been fired from the Lebanese village of Qana over the past 20 days, Air Force Chief of Staff Brig.-Gen. Amir Eshel said. Hizballah rocket launchers were hidden in civilian buildings in the village, and Eshel showed video footage of rocket launchers being driven into the village following launches. (Jerusalem Post)
Hizballah's Human Shields
Editorial
- In the rush to blame Israel, a number of relevant facts are ignored:
- 1) no matter how much is done to minimize the risk to civilians, civilians inevitably die in wars;
- 2) Israel has placed its soldiers at risk in order to minimize civilian casualties in Lebanon, while Hizballah, in flagrant violation of international law, including the Geneva Conventions, deliberately behaves in ways to maximize harm to Israeli and Lebanese civilians;
- 3) in Qana there were indisputable military targets, including locations from which Hizballah has been firing rockets into Israel;
- 4) there is no way to tell whether all of those killed in the airstrike were "civilians." Video footage shows Hizballah fighters firing rockets at Israeli targets and then darting into nearby buildings.
- Article 58 of Protocol 1 of the Geneva Convention requires parties to a conflict to "Avoid locating military objectives within or near densely populated areas." Article 28 of the Fourth Geneva Convention states: "The presence of a protected person may not be used to render certain points or areas immune from military operations."
- In sum, Hizballah - along with its enablers in Tehran and Damascus - bears full responsibility for the carnage in both Israel and Lebanon. (Washington Times)
Israel Strikes Qana after Sunday's Rocket Barrage
by Aron Heller
Hizballah guerrillas unleashed their deadliest rocket attack on northern Israel on Sunday, killing 12 reserve soldiers with a single missile at this kibbutz and killing at least three people and wounding dozens more with a barrage against Haifa. Israel then attacked the Lebanese town of Qana, with the army saying it destroyed the launchers that fired the rockets against Haifa as fighting intensified despite a drive at the U.N. to pass a cease-fire resolution. (AP)
Galilee Spirit
The Conference of Presidents and Israel's Ministry of Tourism have partnered to launch a unique, innovative program to assist the tourism industry in Israel's northern region, which has suffered greatly as a result of the barrage of missiles fired by Hizballah terrorists. By assuring a stream of current income, hoteliers will be able to sustain their businesses, pay employees and suppliers, and be able to reopen as soon as possible.
- Reserve and pay now for nights in eastern, central, or western Galilee hotels, guesthouses, and bed and breakfasts.
- Receive a voucher that can be redeemed until June 30, 2007.
- Vouchers are transferable to friends and family and may be used on any available non-holiday weekday.
- Two price categories, kosher accommodations available.
- El Al Israel Airlines in the U.S. provides a $100 discount coupon for future flights upon presentation of Galilee Spirit voucher.
- Call toll free 1-800-738-0548 or click on:
www.hofesh-latzafon.co.il.
- Galilee Spirit program continues through August 31.
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