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July 21, 2006 I found an article by Youssef Ibrahim of the New York Sun in my daily readings that I hope is a portent of larger and better things to come out of the world’s Arab coalition. In his article: “Arab Majority May Not Stay Forever Silent”, 17 July 2006, http://www.nysun.com/article/36110 Mr. Ibrahim reports some of the responses to the current crisis being faced by Hezbollah in Lebanon that were issued from attendees of a special Arab League conference that included the foreign ministers of 22 Arab nations. The writer begins: “Yes, world, there is a silent Arab majority that believes that seventh-century Islam is not fit for 21st-century challenges… More important, we are not silent any longer.” He then condemns the actions of Hamas and Hezbollah in their latest attacks against the state of Israel. He wrote: “…Nor do we believe that little men with head wraps and disheveled beards can run amok in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Iraq making decisions on our behalf, dragging us to war whenever they please…” He is speaking from an Arab perspective rarely seen in Middle Eastern media. He is satisfied that there are cooler heads in the Arab League who see that war is not the way to deal with the world community and that it might actually benefit the Muslim part of the world to not lend moral or physical support to killers. Mr. Ibrahim reported: “…The leader of Hezbollah, Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, received a resounding "no" to pulling 350 million Arabs into a war with Israel on his clerical coattails… The collective "nyet" was spoken by presidents, emirs, and kings at the highest level of government in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Morocco, and at the Arab League's meeting of 22 foreign ministers in Cairo…” This is very encouraging. The Arab League is seeing the threat. Iran is supporting the actions of Hezbollah and Iran is not greatly trusted because of their recent saber rattling and desire for the production and spread of nuclear capability to the terrorist organizations of the world. Iran has made no secret of its desire to destroy Israel completely and make the world a living hell for American interests. This past week Hezbollah threatened to attack Israeli and American interests worldwide. This threat was not condemned. It was embraced by the Iranian leadership. Saudi Arabia probably gave the strongest statement against this current Arab incursion into Israel: Quoting from the article: “…the most remarkable and unexpected reaction came from Saudi Arabia, whose foreign minister, Prince Saud Al-Faisal, said bluntly and publicly that Hezbollah's decision to cross the Lebanese border, attack Israel, and kidnap its soldiers has left the Shiite group on its own to face Israel. The unspoken message here was, "We hope they blow you away." It was Hezbollah that asked for the emergency session of the Arab League. It is like the terrorists to start a conflict and then, while being destroyed by the enemy they’ve angered, call for a cease fire or United Nations condemnation against the victims of their terrorism. The Arab League is not buying the “poor me” defense now being tried by Hamas and Hezbollah. Quoting again: “* Abdul Rahman al-Rashed, the general manager of Al-Arabiya, possibly the most influential Arab opinion-maker today, was categorical yesterday: "We have lost most of our causes and the largest portions of our lands following fiery speeches and empty promises of struggle coupled with hallucinating, drug-induced political fantasies." Still quoting: “* Tariq Alhomayed, editor in chief of the Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat… "Mr. Nasrallah bombastically announced he consulted no one when he decided to attack Israel, nor did he measure Lebanon's need for security, prosperity, and the safety of its people…[the] punch line was, in so many words: Go with God, Sheik Nasrallah, but count the rest of us out.” The article goes on to discuss some of the other attitude displayed against Hezbollah and Hamas; the discussion explaining how the conflict serves no real purpose for the nations of the Arab League and how only the interests of Hamas and Hezbollah are being served. The “Silent Majority” is taking exception and is becoming more vocal. This is something the world has been waiting for. It was never enough to see terrorism condemned by the West, or by the Vatican, or by any other non-Muslim source. It was always necessary to see Middle Eastern nations condemn the actions of those who took the extreme view of religious jihad. Muslims could speak against terrorism in America or Britain and be voices crying in a Muslim wilderness. To hear voices coming from the seats of the Arab League is certainly a bold step in the direction of peace. It is the hope of this writer that sensibility will overrule religious radicalism. The Arab League has made some very important statements. They may not have deliberately wanted to support Israel with their words against Hezbollah and Hamas, but it is important that the world not view the entire Muslim world as supportive of terrorism. The fingers of blame must point squarely at those who have begun this latest round of warfare and who sit quietly behind the scenes supporting and funding attacks against the Israeli homeland. Mr. Ibrahim concludes: “…And Israel is finding, to its surprise, that a vast, not-so-silent majority of Arabs agrees that enough is enough. To be sure, beneath the hostility toward Sheik Nasrallah in Sunni Muslim states lies the deep and bitter heritage of a 14-century Sunni-Shiite divide, propelled to greater heights now by fears of an ascendant Shiite "arc of menace" rising out of Iran and peddled in the Sunni world by Syria.” Iran and Syria have proven they cannot be trusted to do the things necessary to maintain the peace. Hezbollah was to be disarmed years ago after the Syrian Army left Lebanon. This was never done and Hezbollah picked up its war where they left it. If the Arab League remains neutral and protective of their own interests, Israel will not expand its defense beyond the current boundaries of Southern Lebanon and the Gaza. Hezbollah would be wise to disarm and surrender the soldiers they kidnapped. Hamas may wish to consider that action as well. I believe Israel when they say their current goals will be reached in a matter of a few weeks. I don’t believe Hezbollah and Hamas understand what that might mean but they might want to consult “Google” concerning “The Limbaugh Doctrine”. ------------ About the author: Samuel Sandbaugh likes to write. Email: boggyman6@yahoo.com Comment on this article here! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com. Please link to this article rather than copying and pasting it onto your site (which would be unauthorized and illegal). |
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