<< Hungry lions are animals, who are not responsible for their own actions. The Phalangists were human beings, who were responsible for their own actions. >>
Yes, human beings should be responsible for their actions just as the Israelis were responsible for letting the Phalangists into the camps knowing, well in advance, the enmity which exists between the two groups. This is not a good case to plea innocence by ignorance.
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Report of the Commission of Inquiry into
the Events at the Refugee Camps in Beirut
(The Kahan Commission)
(February 8, 1983)
us-israel.org
The Commission determined that the massacre at Sabra and Shatilla was carried out by a Phalangist unit, acting on its own but its entry was known to Israel. No Israeli was directly responsible for the events which occurred in the camps. But the Commission asserted that Israel had indirect responsibility for the massacre since the I.D.F. held the area, Mr. Begin was found responsible for not exercising greater involvement and awareness in the matter of introducing the Phalangists into the camps. Mr. Sharon was found responsible for ignoring the danger of bloodshed and revenge when he approved the entry of the Phalangists into the camps as well as not taking appropriate measures to prevent bloodshed. Mr. Shamir erred by not taking action after being alerted by communications Minister Zippori. Chief of Staff Eitan did not give the appropriate orders to prevent the massacre. The Commission recommended that the Defense Minister resign, that the Director of Military Intelligence not continue in his post and other senior officers be removed. Full text follows:
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<< Much of the discussion of the Mideast makes Israelis responsible for their actions and everybody else's as well, while Arabs responsible for nothing. >>
For one thing, Israelis claim the higher moral ground. Now I happen to think this is a foolish strategy when it comes to war but that's just my humble opinion. So in a sense, the Jews are setting themselves up for a fall as the moral bar has been set so high. I'll be the first to admit that since the Israelis have claimed moral superiority, I am expecting the Jews to initiate the peace process in this current cycle of violence. No excuses.
And second, the implications that Israelis are somehow operating on higher ethical standards implies the Arabs are animals or Philistines incapable of any civilized behavior. And since you do not hold animals accountable for their actions, well... you get the idea.
So in a sick sense, Israelis have put themselves between a rock and a hard place. |
