Lebanon massacre

Maybe they do not even have a conscience. The barbaric killings of the Lebanese and the Palestinians are highly regrettable.

And the icing on the cake is, the Israelis have the unconditional support of the Americans, who proudly proclaim that their strongest foundation stone is their belief in democracy, whereas it is evident throughout the world that the Americans slaughter the very essence of the word 'democracy'.

It is high time that they stopped their crimes, as it has been a long time since peace prevailed throughout the entire world.

The recent aerial assaults of Israel, which left as many as one hundred Lebanese civilians killed, have shocked all the civilised people of the world. We condemn such brutal display of power. Obviously, this act undermines the very existence of the UNO, which is entrusted with the duty of maintaining peace in the trouble-prone places, including the Middle East. However, blessed with the favour of the US, the self-proclaimed leader of the unipolar world, Israel has managed to keep its neighbours in a state of fear. The US launched its attack on Iraq in a bid to find the so-called weapons of mass destruction. Yet, Mr. Bush finds no fault with the belligerent stance of Israel. It seems that Israel has been given the carte-blanche to do whatever it wants to.

It is time the UNO adopted a tough course of action on Israel. Otherwise, the peace-loving countries will lose faith in the world body. Certainly, we should not submit to the logic of power, as evident in the recent act of Israel.

Zabed Wali, Pahartoli, Chittagong

I do hereby condemn in the strongest terms Israel's indiscriminate killing and criminal destruction of Lebanese civilians and its infrastructures. There is absolutely no doubt that Israel's actions constitute war crimes. Alas! the world leaders at the G-8 Conference, instead of condemning the outrageous breaches of Geneva Convention calling for an immediate halt of bombing, took side with Israel mentioning it as protecting its people! Had there been any such massacre or killing of innocents carried out by a Muslim country I don't think any one in the West would have remained indifferent. I am appalled by the pathetic statements from the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the G-8 leaders! By failing to condemn the Israeli atrocities under the pretext of 'self defence' they have 'ipso-facto' given the Zionist fanatics more time to carry out their rape of Lebanon.

The Muslims all over the world believe that Israel's slaughter of civilians in the occupied Palestinian territories and Lebanon will not break the resolve of their respective peoples. This sterile policy has been tried for decades by successive Israeli governments. But it has only produced highly motivated resistance movements. Many more will be recruited into their ranks across the region and beyond due to Israel's deceitful and criminal behaviour.

The only way out of this crisis is an immediate cessation of hostilities and a negotiated international settlement that secures the release of prisoners and detainees from all sides.

A F Rahman, On e-mail

After the attack on Lebanon by Israel, there has been vehement criticism of Israel in your daily. And for obvious reasons at that. However, as a law student I have gone through many of the writings and found that most of them are based on passion and fraternity towards a attacked Muslim state, rather than focusing on the core issues. Besides being sympathetic towards Lebanon, it should also be our duty to have a true insight into this conflict.

I am not advocating for Israel. Needless to say, what Hezbullah is doing is just a reaction to Israel's long suppression. But it has been already proved that Israel cannot be bent down by suicide bombs and kidnapping. Rather, these actions are inviting counter-attacks on the innocent civilians of Palestine and Lebanon. After every suicide bomb attack on or kidnapping in Israel, the misery inflicted by Israel on Palestine is usually greater. Right to self-determination can be exercised in some other ways ( other than attacking Israeli civilians) and world history has examples of other methods working well.

Sharin Shajahan Naom, Kobi Joshimuddin Road, Kamlapur, Dhaka

Israeli military strikes have killed more than 300 Lebanese, almost all of them civilians; destroyed much of Lebanon's infrastructure; put Israeli citizens at much greater risk, because Hezbullah arrested 2 Israeli soldiers. Now world leaders demanded the return of those two soldiers in an effort to stop killing of Lebanese civilians. May I ask those world leaders whether they can get back those innocent civilians in exchange of the two captured Israeli soldiers? The most shameless comment was made by the US President Bush who said that Israel has the right to defend itself. If Bush really thinks that killing 200 civilians in an effort to release 2 captured soldiers is a correct decision, I must pray to God to save this world from such a dangerous man.

Dr. Mahboob Hossain, Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy, The University of Asia Pacific, Dhaka

Lebanon "captured" two Israel soldiers? Did they not take as hostage two Israeli soldiers? Soldiers who were just doing their job of guarding their borders? You in Bangladesh are, at the moment, fighting hard for your rights. Freedom of speech must be among these rights you struggle for. How then can you show so much favour to Hezbollah ? How can you not realise that if these people succeed in all of their goals, they will not just take out Israel. The "infidels," most of whom will sadly have to die or become very good Muslims. We will all have to dress alike, talk alike, think alike. Did we learn no lessons at all from the Taliban of Afghanistan?

Hezbullah has taken beautiful Lebanon, who had just come back to life after the civil war and practically turned it into dust. No, you will say. It's with their bombs. Can't you go back a bit further to the beginning? Hezbollah with the help of Iran, and possibly Syria, has thrown the citizens of Lebanon, those who aren't Hezballah, that is, away for their cause once again. Why can you never see these people for what they are really about? Maybe you don't want to really see them. Repression and keeping people in poverty that's what Hezbollah and groups like it stand for. I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that Muslims are the most self-destructive people on planet earth. Look at Iraq. They had a chance. America would have helped them. You won't believe it, but we still are trying to help. Yes, yes, it would be good for our national interests if it would just work out. The point is it would be good for Iraq too. At least they could have tested the water a little before starting to slaughter each other. I am, of course not referring to the average Iraqi citizen. Neither do I refer to the average Muslim citizen of various Muslim countries when I speak of this penchant for self-destruction. I don't mean to generalise.

Now, look what we have in Iraq. Sunnis fight Shiites, Shiites fight Sunnis and I understand the Turkomen and Kurds don't much like each other either. What possible sense does all that make? They should be working to build themselves into the prosperous country they could have been but for Saddam Hussein and his murderous regime. This poor country does seem to be all about power.

Forgive my rudeness, but it is beyond frustrating to see a culture of such intelligence and capability throw itself away on old hatreds.

Ayasha, On e-mail

The war against Lebanon is a serious breach of international law. Hezbullah kidnapped two of their soldiers but in response what are they doing? Killing scores of innocent civilians for no reason whatsoever.

It's time the international community forced Israel to stop the war.

Solaiman Palash, East Jurain, Dhaka

Living in an occupied land, which was barbarically taken away from Palestinians, this illicit nation lives on death and destruction of the innocents.

Obaidur Rahman, Gopibag, Dhaka