The decision to re-supply was a no-brainer for the Bush administration which relies on the Jewish vote.
The munitions are part of a multi-million dollar package agreed to last year. The New York Times refers to that agreement as a “sale” but, in truth, it is the American taxpayer who will be picking up the tab.
In 1981, the last time there was a full-on invasion by the Israeli government into Lebanon, the Reagan administration cut military aid and froze weapons sales to Israel, while it did an investigation of whether or not the weapons were being used for self-defensive and internal security purposes. So for ten weeks in 1981, nothing went into Israel.
Today, under Bush we’re looking at incredible increases in U.S. military aid and weapons sales to Israel and instant delivery.
Military aid stands at about $3 billion a year. That’s about $500 for every Israeli citizen that the United States provides on an annual basis. And then, weapons sales, most recently, since the Bush administration came into power, we’re looking at $6.3 billion worth of weaponry sold to Israel.
Israel's relationship with the United States is unique in a number of ways. And one of those ways is that essentially the United States provides 20% of the Israeli military budget on an annual basis, and then about 70% of that money that is given from the United States, from U.S. taxpayers, to Israel is then spent on weapons from Lockheed Martin and Boeing and Raytheon. Most other countries don't have that sort of cash relationship, where they go straight to U.S. corporations with U.S. money to buy weapons that are then used in the Occupied Territories and against Lebanon.
The huge quantity of munitions being made available to the Israelis indicates that a scorched earth policy is being pursued. Residents of 13 southern Lebanon towns have been “asked” to relocate northwards. The towns listed were: Aitrun, Atiri, Barashit, Beit Yahoun,Bint Jubayl, Bleida, Einata, Hadatiya, Hirbat Salim, Kontin, Kharsat a-Talab, Majal Salim, Shakra, and Yarun.
In messages relayed to residents of these towns, via both Arabic news agencies and local sources, the residents were informed that anyone not following the instructions to relocate to the north is endangering his life and the life of his family.
Because the political geography of Lebanon is such that there are certain areas which are almost entirely inhabited by Shiites, these were the areas that were being bombarded so ferociously. In the Southern Shiites and southern villages, it's been absolutely scorched earth.
Once the area has been cleared entirely of its population and all buildings and International Peace Keeping force will be invited.
One might argue, and many Americans today might agree, that Hezbollah and Hamas started this round of war with their provocative kidnappings of Israeli soldiers.
Lost in the headlines, however, is the fact that the Israelis have 9,000 Palestinian prisoners, and have negotiated prisoner swaps before. Others will blame the Islamists for incessant rocket attacks on Israel. But the roots of this virulent spiral of vengeance lie in the permanent occupation of Palestinian territories by the overconfident Israelis. As it did in 1982, Israel now admits that the war is not about prisoner exchanges or cease-fires; it is about eradicating Hezbollah and Hamas altogether, if necessary by an escalation against Syria or even Iran. It should be clear by now that the present Israeli government will never accept an independent Palestinian state, but rather harbors a colonial ambition to decide which Palestinian leaders are acceptable.
In a pre-recorded interview Robert Fisk, speaking from Beirut, told New Zealand’s National Radio that the inevitable result of the United States / Israeli attack on Lebanon would be another 9/11.
Sources:
U.S. Speeds Up Bomb Delivery for the Israelis
"asked to relocate" quote Information Clearing House headlines The Shame of Being An American By PAUL CRAIG ROBERTS Tom Hayden: Things Come ’Round in Mideast Robert Fisk quote from Radio New Zealand, July 21, 2006 Morning Report interview with Maggie Barry See Also:
NSM88.COM National Socialist Movement, P.O. Box 13768 Detroit, MI. 48213 (651) 659-6307 |