Israel - Lebanon War

[maverick]

Hi All,

This is a touchy subject on all accounts and I am loath to start this thread for fear of it becoming a slanging match from supporters of both sides. If it does I would like the mods to remove it.

What I wanted to say is related to a photo that the Australian newspaper chose to have on its home page this evening, it showed very young Israeli girls writing messages in English on artillery shells that were to be fired upon Lebanon. I personally find this photo very disturbing and I am dismayed that a newspaper such as the Australian would have the temerity to place a photo such as this on their website.

Using children in this fashion regardless of which side they may be on is just not on in my book, if you want to run a propaganda campaign then find some other means but do not instil the bitterness in the children otherwise these conflicts will never cease.

The photo in question can be found via this link however the Australian changes their photo regularly so it will not be there long.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/

Edit: Can a mod please fix the thread to read Israel - Lebanon War Thanks.

[reAllytee]

Highly disturbing.

[Mister Noodle]

What disturbs me is the massive media attention on all the australians in Lebanon - headlines like "Trapped in Hell!", and attendant saving-private-ryan attempts to get them out.

I mean yes, that's pretty hellish. But, um, HELLO, what about all the other people stuck in Lebanon? Nobody seems to give a damn about *their* safety...

Is this what the world is coming to, that we only care about our own?

[reAllytee]

What disturbs me is the massive media attention on all the australians in Lebanon - headlines like "Trapped in Hell!", and attendant saving-private-ryan attempts to get them out.

I mean yes, that's pretty hellish. But, um, HELLO, what about all the other people stuck in Lebanon? Nobody seems to give a damn about *their* safety...

Is this what the world is coming to, that we only care about our own?

I agree Mr N.
Yes its horrible that they are stuck there but for heavens sake rescue in this situation is tricky doesnt anyone see that ? I mean would they rather us hurry things along & make a bus load of us aussies prime targets ?!?!?! Blah anyways this is such a horrid topic i hate all of this stuff i shall now bow out before i become even more depressed about the world we live in.

[LilShenanigans]

Hasn't anyone noticed that everything on the news is about Australians???
I saw a report the other day about some explosion, don't know why, not quite sure where, but the report basically said "Explosion here, no Australians... In other news..."

I'm one of those people who wear "Make love not war" t-shirts, I don't see how killing a lot of people is going to make a difference in what they think, feel or believe in.

I haven't even heard a news presenter tell me why the hell this is going on!!!!!!:mad:

[Pixie]

I love politics grew up with a mother in parliment:rolleyes:
I have much to say on the subject, but I am not really one to place my political views on a public forum.

However

The picture however doesn't surprise me.

That should be enough for those of us who follow Israel and the goings on for you to work out where I stand on the matter of the war crimes taking place.

[bronny-jane]

well i missed the photo:eek: but i have long been disgusted by israel's actions against other countrys.:mad:

[maverick]

Okay for those that want to see the photo I took exception to it is still viewable on the Australian website. To see it just click on the big photo which will bring up another smaller photo only window then click the arrow to bring up photo number 2.

Just remember that this is live ordnance that these kids are writing on.

[bronny-jane]

that just sadens me:( , what are they doing, kids:eek:
we need a threat from another planet to unite this earth so people realise we are all one in the same:D

[EskimoMumma]

Yeah that sounds like a good idea :rolleyes:

It is sad. Ive refused to watch the news coverage of this on Sky or local. I like my Fox News..makes me feel at home and i appreciate how they show both sides of the stories. But one story is that this will never end until they both are dead. (in their eyes not mine)

Im just REALLY going to hate the petrol prices soon :(

[Mischief]

What I think is discusting is that the Australian government is being so slack about getting our people out! Australians are being offered rides on German, Canadian, and British ships.....

Come on...pull your fingers Howard and Downer, and help get everyone out!!!

[pestiferous]

I could not see the mentioned photograph, only a shot
of a woman holding a crying child.

Photographs are used to aid the story being told, they
are there to make an impact so we will better remember
the headlines typed beside.

If we don't wish to see 'shocking' pictures of children,
we must first desensitize OURSELVES so we are as
shocked by a picture of a ruined building as that of
a child standing in the rubble.


As for the stranded 'Australians' sadly, their presence is
buying time for those who REALLY need help to get out.

As heartless as it sounds, I think, If they were as desperate
to leave as they say they are, they WOULD be accepting
the long bus rides (that many others have endured)
over their comfortable homes and hotels while they wait
for that comfy, catered spot on a nice 'safe' ship.

[OscarTheGrouch]

As for the stranded 'Australians' sadly, their presence is buying time for those who REALLY need help to get out.

As heartless as it sounds, I think, If they were as desperate
to leave as they say they are, they WOULD be accepting
the long bus rides (that many others have endured)
over their comfortable homes and hotels while they wait
for that comfy, catered spot on a nice 'safe' ship.
I agree with you.:thumbsup:
I spoke to my Lebanese friend last night, whom I worked with in the Middle East. She lives in Beirut. She said it's been extremely frightening. Her being a Christian she sees a different side of the picture. I feel for her and many others in her position. At least the Australian's 'can' get out with government assistance. According to her the Lebanese government is doing near to nothing to help it's citizens.

[Mister Noodle]

I dunno that children writing on live ordinance actually matters a damn, given the slightly bigger issue of children being hit by that same ordinance.

Do NOT look if you're of a sensitive disposition.

[link removed by moderator]

I just think that a little perspective is in order, here.

[Pixie]

MN I totally agree. Since when have children been a threat?
Kinda like the guys who went to the beach recently in Gaza.
I did look it's tragic, it's shocking it is so many more words than those, they should show these pictures, people should be exposed to the real situation.

[Ana Gram]

This sort of behaviour is not used exclusively in war torn countries in the Middle East. How many western children are going to grow up to believe that the word terrorist actually mean Muslim.
The feuds of the father of often learned and taken onward by the child, in almost every country.

[nemosmum]

This sort of behaviour is not used exclusively in war torn countries in the Middle East. How many western children are going to grow up to believe that the word terrorist actually mean Muslim.
The feuds of the father of often learned and taken onward by the child, in almost every country.


Totally agree Chelle:thumbsup:

I was shocked by the pic and really couldnt believe that this is what its like else where in the world, we are very sheltered here in oz and our children are extremely lucky, no wonder the aussies stranded are begging to come home!

We should do everthing we can to help our fellow aussies get out safely!

[jessgray]

i am shocked at how no mention of any of the other countries trying to help their cizens out of lebanon and israel are mentioned unless they agree to help australians.

i saw the pic that was mentioned in the orignal post it was published in the hearld sun today, i think its very distrubing a child would write a message on a weapon that would possible kill another child and their family.it just shows how much hatred these children have been fed.

[becca74]

In regards to the pic described (which I have been unable to find and view), I think this should show a little of the other side of the story:

http://www.teachkidspeace.org/


You have to remember, these terrorist organisations are notorious for using women and children as human shields, as they are very proud of creating martyrs for their sick causes.

You can also read here for the Israeli perspective:

http://www.honestreporting.com/

You don't have to agree, but at least take time to understand where Israel is coming from on this issue.

It seems that the Jewish people are damned if they do and damned if they dont. When they are passive, Nazi Germany slaughter them in their millions - when they stand up for their right to exist and retaliate, they are still criticised and opposed by the west. It stinks of anti-semitism to me.

Dont get me wrong, I am purely anti-terrorist - and definately not anti-muslim...

I have a link to a beautiful muslim palestinian lady's take on the situation for Israel here: http://www.noniedarwish.com/index.html

Remember, there are always 2 sides to every story.

[Pixie]

Demonstration in Sydney today protesting wonderful atmosphere for fighting to get the freedom for the Lebanese in Lebanon.

Hard to get to involved with a baby in a sling but :thumbsup: to everyone involved :D

[Sara's Boys]

Forgive me if I am wrong...but this isn't a war between the 2. Its an invasion by the isrealis. Did any one watch lateline lastnight?

[BJelly]

Yes, poor old Lebanon is just an unfortunate pawn between Israel and Hezbollah which is present in Lebanon.

I agree Israel has the right to self defence, and it was unforgivable for Hezbollah to go into Israel and kidnap and kill Israeli soldiers, and fire rockets into Israeli towns and kill innocent Israelis. However I believe that the Israeli response is out of all proportion and is sowing the seeds of an humanitarian catastrophe for no good reason. Israel says that all this killing is to destroy Hezbollah, but even if they get rid of them in the short term, I don't see how they can stop them from coming back, and after all they have put the civilian population through, I strongly believe their over reaction will only cause more hatred and violence in the future - ie more terrorism.

Israeli commentators repeatedly say they aren't attacking Lebanon, but are using precision bombing to attack Hezbollah and the infrastructure that they use. Unfortunately, the civilian population also use infrastructure like airports, bridges, roads, electicity substations. I'm very disappointed that the Israelis keep saying how they aren't targetting civilians, but the reality is that they are killing civilians by the hundreds and it's only been just over a week of hostility. I also heard a report that the Israelis dropped leaflets telling villagers to leave their villages to avoid the fighting, and then the they were bombed in their convoy of cars by Israeli planes - what are the Lebanese supposed to do? And by the sounds of it many in the south are stuck because the roads are so badly damaged.

The Israelis are simply attacking Lebanon because they don't want to fight Syria and Iran head on. Lebanon only recently got rid of the Syrians - they are a weak democracy that was starting to get back on it's feet after decades of war and destruction - I'm so sad that they are again being attacked - I fear the best I can hope for is that the Israelis do what they say and get out soon - it's a shame that so many innocents had to be terrorised and killed, and so much of Lebanon's civilian infrastructure had to be destroyed for what I believe is a pointless exercise.