2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict / Israel should attack Syria

Position: Israel should attack Syria

This position addresses the topic 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict.

For this position

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"The real problem is that Israel's response has been all too proportional. So far it has only gone after Hamas and Hezbollah. (Some collateral damage is inevitable because these groups hide among civilians.) Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is showing superhuman restraint by not, at the very least, "accidentally" bombing the Syrian and Iranian embassies in Beirut, which serve as Hezbollah liaison offices."

From Let Israel Take Off the Gloves, by Max Boot (Los Angeles Times, July 19, 2006) (view)

"Indeed, Shlomo Avineri, a former director-general of Israel's Foreign Ministry, argues that his country fought the wrong war: Instead of targeting Lebanon, it should have gone after Syria. The Syrian armed forces are less motivated than Hezbollah, and they offer many more targets for Israeli airpower."

From Israel Should Hit Syria First, by Max Boot (Los Angeles Times, August 23, 2006) (view)

Against this position

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"Four wars simultaneously? Led by this crew? After what we've seen in Iraq and Afghanistan? Is it me, or are the people who run this country dangerously out of their minds?"

From Neocon Dreams, American Nightmares, by Eric Alterman (The Nation, August 10, 2006) (view)

Mixed on this position

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"Israel says disarming Hezbollah is one of its objectives. But to truly achieve that goal -- to stop the rockets, in any permanent way -- means ending Iran's and Syria's ability to hijack Lebanese neighborhoods. That [...] may well mean taking the war to Tehran and Damascus."

From Rocket science, by Austin Bay (The Washington Times, July 21, 2006) (view)