Israel continues Lebanon raids
In spite of the cease fire Al Jazeera (19/8/2006) reports that Hizbollah foiled an Israeli raid near ancient Baalbek.
The Israeli government is coming in for some pretty trenchant criticism from home, including that ministers act first. Thinking comes later. A Guardian comment column, originally in Haaretz, contrasts present leaders with Ben Gurion who would hide himself away for long periods before making a key decision.
As for Hizbollah in southern Lebanon, it has become clear that the Lebanese army is not going to look for hidden weapons. HIzbolllah has become very popular with ordinary citizens in Lebanon having taken on the might of Israel. It's only George Bush who is claiming victory for Israel.
Khalid Mahmood, MP for Perry Barr, Birmingham, came late to the Handsworth Wood Labour Party meeting, so there wasn't the opportunity to ask him why he didn't sign the letter to Tony Blair sent by other Muslim MPs and members of the House of Lords. Blair himself remains on holiday while mayhem continues at home and the Middle East powder keg continues to ferment.
What was a radical Labour Party Branch as Sandwell Ward is now unrecognisable in its Handsworth Wood guise having been taken over by a sectarian membership who have no interest in holding meetings to debate key issues, but wish to gain political influence to get funding to promote their own cause. The regional Labour Party and MP encourage this in view of them giving tribute to Blair. Dissent is not required. It was left to Respect to organise a well-attended meeting on Israel's incursions into Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon the previous evening.
Posted by John Tyrrell at August 19, 2006 10:36 AM
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