sure. as for the assertion of human shields being the cause of the strikes on UN facilities, the UN refuted this both at the time and in its report, post conflict. A good book is by Mads Mikkelsen ( a norwegian doctor who headed the UN medical operations in Gaza, both during and prior to the operation). In one interview, live on AL Jazeera english, one one line an Israeli army spokesman was talking through footage that was evidence of the use of a UN compound by hamas, and then on the other line there was a UN representative in Gaza ( his name escapes me for the moment). The UN representative pointed out that the footage was more than a year old, and what it depicted was the day the Israelis attacked a UN girls school and it was then evacuated, after which a militant launches a rocket from near the school. The israeli, i believe it as mark regev, had just asserted that it was new footage and then had to back peddle as the footage had been public for quite some time before the operation occurred. that isnt a simple matter of spin, but a straight forward lie, in order to support the legitimacy of striking a UN compound, the GPS co-ordinates for which the Israeli army had been given repeatedly and well in advance. remember the denial of the use of white phosphorous? then we saw the pictures and video of it hitting the UN compound for food. There are many points along these lines, i suggest you find the aforementioned book. the clip of part of the interview is also on youtube i believe.
I also fail to see how the buzzing of German and french vessels is an accident when it is repeated. remember the french saying they were issuing surface to air missiles to their troops as they had been buzzed in mock bomb runs by the IAF?
As for Hamas, as radical as they are, they had held to the ceasefire until Israel raided Gaza, and then bombed Gaza...the air raid was 5th November i believe...killing civilians. now, if Israel attacks twice during a ceasefire which Hamas held to (despite Israel not lifting the blockade), i fail to see how this is Hamas engaging in continued harassment.
Concerning Hezbollah, the 2006 war occurred when they ambushed Israeli troops, in the area known as Shebaa farms. I suggest you consult the UN website as to which country that is in.There is some dispute, but there is not a single country that claims it is Israeli territory. so this raises the question...what were Israeli troops doing patrolling there? Whatever one says about Hizbollah, they did not go into Israel...Israel patrolled on another state's territory.
My personal view of this is that Israel's foreign policy in 2006 was actually a reflection of internal Israeli politics, rather than the situation on the ground. Olmert needed a war, and one he would win. If you look further into the Israeli internal political situation at the time, you will probably come to the same conclusion. As a British citizen, my own government then supports this as Israel is deemed an ally. so My own state supports actions based on Olmerts own political situation...
I believe that, combined with a general view of Israel's use of excessive force, retribution, collective punishment and a view of might makes right with no respect for civilian life or the UN, combine to mean Israel is losing sympathy, support and in the cost benefit i mentioned before.
US support was essentially based on the pro Israel lobby, public opinion, and its presence as a stick. The facts on the ground have changed, not least with Iraq and Afghanistan, september 11th and so forth. The reality is also that Israel's actions along with Western support for this, is probably the biggest motivator for attacks on our countries and troops...the london bombers' videos from before they died pointed this out, along with Iraq, as a motivator.
Israel's position that it is a sovereign state and therefore does as it wishes is inconsistent with the support it needs, militarily, financially and politically. There must be give and take in a relationship between two states, and currently Israel is taking a great deal and then stating it is independent and therefore need not consult other nations. This doesnt bring much joy to the politicians that support Israel publicly.
The US will support Israel as long as the public support and the pro Israel lobby, anti defamation league and so forth are strong enough.
The pro Israel vs pro palestinian conflict has seen the palestinians fail in a key and decisive area...the lobbying aspect. There is nothing to compare to the pro Israel lobby in the US or UK.
Just edited to address what Waylander posted.
An interesting point to consider is that both Hezbollah and Hamas were founded in response to Israel. Hamas won elections as a result of (partly PA corruption) and because the PA was not getting anything for the Palestinians but they were still being killed.
If Israel were not so aggressive, the motivation for these groups, along with their support would go. This is also true of dictatorships in surrounding countries, such as Syria. consider the basis for Nasser's reign or Sadat...and Israel's influence on that. Lets also not forget that Hamas was founded with Israeli money, in order that the Palestinians wouldnt unite..
extract:
Let us not forget that it was Israel, which in fact created Hamas. According to Zeev Sternell, historian at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, “Israel thought that it was a smart ploy to push the Islamists against the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO)”.
from:
Seumas Milne: Israel and the west will pay a price for Gaza's bloodbath | Comment is free | The Guardian
Fundamental to the issue is that Israel and its behaviour is a key motivator to militants, extremists and so forth in the region. It is also a key leg the dictators stand on there..
