Israel: Lebanon is responsible for Hezbollah's actions

By Barak Ravid

Israel will hold Lebanon responsible for any attacks against Israel, in particular for any Hezbollah efforts to avenge the death of its military leader Imad Mughniyeh. This decision on Wednesday by the security cabinet represents a change in Israeli policy, after always firmly separating Hezbollah and the Lebanese government.

(In other words, if this group responds to Israel's clear provocation, Israel will again attack, not the group, but the country. This is interesting, since it is well-known that Israel's ruling Extremists have long planned for another attack on Lebanon, especially since the joint efforts with the US designed to produce 'Regime Change' didn't come off as planned.)

According to defense establishment recommendations adopted by the security cabinet, Israel will treat the Lebanese unity government, which is headed by Fouad Siniora and includes Hezbollah, as responsible for any event that takes place in its sovereign territory or events for which Lebanese nationals are responsible.

(Beware of possible False Flag events, which are not properly investigated, since these fanatics already LIED about their reasons for attacking the country the last time around.)

A senior Jerusalem source said if Hezbollah attacks Israel from inside Lebanese territory, shoots at Israel Air Force aircraft (Those that routinely violate Int'l Law, the Cease-Fire, and UN SC Resolution, and Lebanese airspace?) or carries out a terror attack abroad (An attack somewhere else will justify an attack on a neighbour? I don't think so ...) as revenge for the Mughniyeh assassination (which it attributes to Israel), then Israel will hold Lebanon responsible and respond appropriately. In the coming weeks, Israel plans to start transmitting this message to the United Nations, United States, Russia and European nations, and primarily to Syria and Hezbollah itself.

In the 'Second Lebanon War', Israel avoided damaging Lebanese civilian infrastructure such as power stations, ports or government institutions, despite the recommendation of then-chief of staff Dan Halutz, due to pressure from Washington on Israel. The U.S. claimed that bombing Lebanese infrastructure would topple the moderate Siniora government.

(This is simply not true. Israel deliberately targeted civilian infrastructure, prompting the UN observers 0 several of which Israel murdered - of War Crimes. Israeli Extremists said their intention was "to turn back the clock 20 years".)

Defense officials noted in the cabinet meeting that two developments supported a change in policy. The first is the fact Hezbollah is now a partner in a Lebanese unity government and holds veto rights. The second is that the guidelines of the new Lebanese government guidelines, approved by President Michel Suleiman, allow Hezbollah to continue its military activity against Israel.

(Neither is a legal justification for starting a war ...)

The defense establishment believes these new conditions improve Israel's deterrent power as Hezbollah understands the severe ramifications of the new situation should there be any action against Israel in Lebanon or overseas.

www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1009610.html