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Small but still significant signs of
change are occurring in the US discussion of the war on Lebanon.
Polls are showing that the US public is confused. While it is a given
that the public supports Israel, a solid majority now say that they
believe “Israel has gone too far” in its assault on Lebanon. A majority
also expresses deep concern that the continuing conflict could lead to a
wider war.
Not surprisingly, almost two-thirds disapprove of the way the
Administration is handling the situation, reflecting the public’s
dissatisfaction with Bush’s handling of Iraq and foreign affairs, in
general. As a result, a plurality of Americans are shy about the US
playing a more active role in resolving the conflict in Lebanon.
There are even changes in Congress, which only two weeks ago passed near
unanimous resolutions giving full support to Israel, with no concern for
the damage being done to Lebanon and its people. Now some influential
members are speaking out. Some have made dramatic and far-reaching
statements about Lebanon and US policy in the Middle East, while others
have made less dramatic, but still important calls for an immediate
cease fire, expressing concern for the growing numbers of Lebanese
civilians killed, and the damage to the country’s infrastructure.
Most notable in this regard was the striking speech delivered last week
by Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE), one of the most thoughtful analysts of
America’s Middle East policy. Some of his comments deserve to be cited
at length.
Hagel opened his remarks with the following appeal:
“Mr. President, The Middle East is a region in crisis. After three weeks
of escalating and continuing violence, the potential for wider regional
conflict becomes more real each day. The hatred in the Middle East is
being driven deeper and deeper into the fabric of the region…which will
make any lasting and sustained peace effort very difficult to achieve.
How do we realistically believe that a continuation of the systematic
destruction of an American friend, the country and people of Lebanon, is
going to enhance America’s image and give us the trust and credibility
to lead a lasting and sustained peace effort in the Middle East? The
sickening slaughter on both sides must end now. President Bush must call
for an immediate cease fire. This madness must stop.”
Hagel then added:
“Our relationship with Israel is a special and historic one. But, it
need not and cannot be at the expense of our Arab and Muslim
relationships. That is an irresponsible and dangerous false
choice…Extended military action is tearing Lebanon apart, killing
innocent civilians, destroying its economy and infrastructure, creating
a humanitarian disaster, further weakening Lebanon’s fragile democratic
government, strengthening popular Muslim and Arab support for Hezbollah,
and deepening hatred of Israel across the Middle East…The war against
Hezbollah and Hamas will not be won on the battlefield.”
Reflecting this changing mood, several senators, including Lincoln
Chafee (R-RI), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), and Patrick Leahy (D-VT), issued
strong statements calling for an immediate ceasefire. Senators Dick
Durbin (D-IL) and John E. Sununu (R-NH) sponsored a resolution urging
the Administration to grant “temporary protected status” to Lebanese
citizens in the US and the Senate passed, by unanimous consent, a new
resolution on Lebanon, correcting its previous one-sided effort.
This new resolution was sponsored by Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) and
cosponsored by Senators Sununu, Chafee, Stabenow, Carl Levin (D-MI), Ted
Kennedy (D-MA), and Russ Feingold (D-WI).
Responding to a letter signed by over one hundred Arab American
constituents, Dodd explained why he was undertaking the effort:
“While every nation has a right and duty to defend its citizens against
acts of terrorism, maximum efforts must also be made to protect against
civilian casualties…The sad result of the current crisis is that
approximately 700,000 people have been displaced from their homes, and
more than 400 innocent Lebanese have paid the ultimate price for
Hezbollah’s aggression…This reality is what prompted me more than a week
ago to call for a cessation of hostilities between Israel and
Hezbollah.”
While repeating some of the provisions of the first Senate bill, it is
significant that the Dodd effort adds language that calls for a
cessation of hostilities, an international donors conference, and new
support for the Lebanese government.
On the House side, as well, there are signs of change. A group of 18
Congresspersons authored a letter to President Bush urging him to call
for an immediate ceasefire and expressing their concern for the
suffering of the Lebanese people.
Congressman John Murtha (D-PA), one of the most respected members of the
Congress, issued a personal call for a ceasefire as did Congressman
Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). In a strong letter to Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice, Van Hollen urged her “to call for an immediate
ceasefire.” The Israeli actions, he noted, “have gone beyond the
destruction of Hizbollah’s military assets. It has caused huge damage to
Lebanon’s civilian infrastructure, resulted in large loss of civilian
life, and produced 750,000 refugees.”
This is only the beginning. We’re not out of the woods yet, but it is a
hopeful sign that the suffering of the past several weeks has not gone
unnoticed.
For comments of information, contact jzogby@aaiusa.org
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