Arab Media Watch condemns Israel's invasion, bombing and blockade of Lebanon, and reiterates the view of world leaders and human rights groups that its wanton aggression is "disproportionate". Israel's targets are predominantly civilian, including Lebanon's only international airport, bridges, media offices, a Muslim prayer house, and the killing and injuring of dozens of innocent civilians, including children, journalists and entire families.
"Besides the immoral nature of Israel's actions, which amount to collective punishment and state terror, it is difficult to see how hurting Lebanon's people and infrastructure will facilitate the release of captured Israeli soldiers," says AMW chairman Sharif Hikmat Nashashibi, who has relatives living in Beirut and whose brother, a British citizen, is stranded there and unable to return home.
"Unfortunately, Israeli aggression against Lebanon is nothing new. As well as enduring a brutal occupation, Lebanese civilians have, even before this current escalation, witnessed bombings, war threats and regular overflights and sonic booms by Israeli warplanes, often condemned by the UN but hardly ever reported," Nashashibi adds.
"To 'turn back the clock in Lebanon by 20 years,' in the words of Israeli Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Dan Halutz, will take the country back to the darkest chapters of Israel's invasion and occupation. It seems Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is truly following in the footsteps of his predecessor Ariel Sharon. One can only hope that now, as then, Israelis will openly and actively condemn the actions of their leaders, and that the international community, having failed the Palestinians, will come to the aid of the Lebanese people."
AMW advisor Zaki Boulos, who is Lebanese, says: "Lebanon is officially in a state of war and those of us, including myself, who have family over there are left helpless, confused and desperate. This is a recipe for disaster. Israel is continuing its expansionist ideology with the backing of the US administration. When will they be held accountable? It is a sad day for humanity."
AMW urges the international community, human rights groups and the media to pressure Israel to halt its military offensives in Lebanon and Palestine.
