Comments to G&M Forum regarding Israeli ambassador's suggestion that Canada help patrol the coast of Lebanon
Comments were posted in response to article by Jeff Sallot entitled "Canada can do more, Israeli ambassador says".
Globe and Mail
Wednesday August 16, 2006
Israel wants Canadian navy to help patrol Lebanese coast
- Captain Pugwash from Canada writes: Look what Israel did to the USS Liberty http://www.ussliberty.org/ Now they want Canadian sailors to protect their illegal settlements. Farcical!!
- evelyn robinson from vancouver, Canada writes: If Canada were to do anything; it should be only to help Lebanon to rebuild its infrastructure (And send the bill to Israel) Lebanon and the Lebanese people are the only innocents in this despicable invasion. Shame on Israel. You have lost many friends and any unbiased respect.
- snapper head from Vancouver, Canada writes: You should have thought of that before you murdered Canadians, imagine how little I care that Hezbollah represents a threat to you.
- roger price from Andorra writes: When it comes to war, all these countries seem to have unlimited funds available to spend. IF Canada is stupid enough to get involved in this stupid little war, then I hope it will have Palestine, Lebanon and Isreal pay ALL the costs associated with our involvement. Why should Canadian Tax-payers waste money on a war that will never be solved and is not their problem, lets concentrate on our own problems at home. PS The federal government has half a billion in debts so don't get the idea we can afford to be generous, lets pay off our debts before wasting money on hopeless causes..
- David Bruce from Vancouver, Canada writes: If Mr. Baker thinks Canadians have done 'irreparrable harm' to relations with their Jewish community, by simply attending a pro-ceasefire rally. regardless of whether some marchers were sympathetic to Lebanon (or even Hezbollah), this speaks volumes about the unreasonable and intractable position of Israel's current pro-war, anti-Arab government. Canadians can reach correct conclusions without directives from the Israeli minister, as witness the polls showing Canadians not only reject Israel's bomb-everything policy, but reject our Prime Minister's calculated (and neo-con inspired) endorsement of that despicable indiscriminate bombing. (And that does not mean Canadians endorse Hezbollah rocket attacks on civilian Israelis, thank you). Time for Canada's honourable and socially active Jewish community to step up and express their solidarity with peace proponents, and tell Mr. Baker that his inflammatory remarks, designed to drive a wedge between the Jewish community and the larger Canadian family they are part of, that he is very much off-base. Canadians may take up peace-keeping roles in Lebanon, but we should never be duped into offering our armed forces to substitute or augment Israel's agressive forces in the region. Peace will never be achieved by that action, for Israelis or anyone else.
- Tara Tata from Somewhere, Canada writes: And who will prevent Israel from getting new arms? It did not take long for Israel to think they can have the same hold on the Harbush government they have in the United States! It did not take long before they began to tell leaders what to do and what was fixable and what was not!
- Mark Shore from Ottawa, Canada writes: Mr. Ambassador, wouldn't it be much quicker and more efficient for us to just randomly kill a Lebanese-Canadian family in Montreal, and blow up a CF volunteer for a UN observation mission in CFB Petawawa? As far as I know, Hezbollah did not kill any Canadians in the recent conflict. And Israel's pretensions to being part of the 'West' are starting to look as threadbare as South Africa's ever did.
- NA E from Buckhorn, Canada writes: This news is so shocking that it's difficult to know where to begin. The Israeli ambassador say Canada can do more? The billions of dollars that the US supplies the Israelis with isn't enough? Their friends the Americans can't patrol the seas for them? They can't afford to purchase or lease their own ships? Too busy buying bulldozers and guided missiles, I suppose. And for Mr. Del Mastro: it's safe enough for the other three delegates to go but not safe enough for him to fulfill the duties for which he was elected? Shocking! Simply shocking.
- philomene brown from Kingston, Ont, Canada writes: We have done more than enough Mr Baker. No canadian soldiers will patrol the syrian border, I hope! As for a... visit to Canada by the Israeli foreign affairs minister to 'thank' our Country for its support of Israel? I would say: that would be all Steven Harper and the Conservatives would need in the current public opinion backlash. Many Canadians feel that their Prime Minister pro-israeli body language was indeed a departure from Canada's traditional neutrality, a position that (IMHO) served the World's conflict resolution best. Canada did not support Israel , Canada supports a resolution of the Middle East crisis. It is not the same! Israel is the USA's ally, not Canada's! This distinction should be reiterated. Please do not try to spin our Prime Minister unfortunate biais beyond the point where Canadians once again will feel compeled to distanciate themselves from their Government.
- P C from Canada writes: I don't think so. It's not our responsability to patrol those waters on behalf of Israel. Anyways, they're better equiped then us. Shame on Israel to ask us to do it's dirty work when it still doesn't respect UN orders itself by occupying land that those not belong to them.
- Jacques De Winter from Canada writes: So, Mr. Baker said, 'Canada can do more to stop arms from entering Lebanon by sea.' Well Mr. Baker, from the numerous stories that I've read here on the G&M, it seems that after the 'Scorched Earth policy' that Israel employed in Lebanon, the world should be working towards keeping the Israelis from receiving or manufacturing arms.
- s s from Toronto, Canada writes: Canada should not send any military help to Israel. They've already 'accidentally' killed one of our peacekeepers and have no respect for the UN or it's soldiers who'd be risking their lives. Given that they're requesting naval assistance, one should be reminded of the USS Liberty incident, in that attack the Israelis killed scores of US sailors and tried to sink the boat. Given the timid response of our PM on the death of our peacekeepr, if our soldiers were attacked by the Israelis we'd accept it graciously, and if attacked by the other side we'd be sending more troops. Sending our men and women into a dangerous situation where our 'ally' is just as dangerous as the terrorists is a ridiculous suggestion.
- Mike Smith from Toronto, Canada writes: This is a terrible idea. Canada lacks the credibility to be seen as a neutral peacekeeper thanks to the Harper governments support of Israel attacking civillian targets. We will just be seen as an extension of the Israeli military.
- Doug Dyson from Toronto, Canada writes: Canadians were told by Steve Harper's government that we could not support another military operation due to Afghanistan. Also, Israel has already murdered a Canadian solider, despite repeated warning to Israeli command, with no *results* yet from their *investigation* into it (where Israel concluded it was an accident before they even started their investigation). Most importantly, Israel fired on the U.S.S Cole and so they can't be trusted that they will not fire on Canadian ships in another false flag operation.
- Just Canadian from Ottawa, Canada writes: I say let Israel do its own dirty business and keep our soldiers here. I hope we can vote Harper out before its too late... Who was the liberal leader again? Donald Duck? Welcome PM. Duck.
- Neil M from Canada writes: Canada do more, oh hell no! I don't want to see our limited Canadian resources sucked into that quagmire. And while we're at it, those that detroyed so much should be held accountable for restitution. If my Canadian dollars are to be wasted on anything in the Middle East, rather it be to help the innocent Lebanese civilians rebuild their devasted homes and lives.
- Elmo Harris from Niagara, Canada writes: I have an idea for Israel: If you were to withdraw all of your troops from the Arab lands you have been occupying for decades, you would not need extra help. In fact, you get too much help already. Given the recent despicable performance in bombing hundreds of innocent civilians and levelling their homes, I would say that it is Israel that should be the object of an arms embargo. We should, instead, concentrate on assisting the Lebanese people, and if that should include Hezbollah, so be it. The irreparable harm to Israel that Mr. Baker talks of, has been of their own making.
- j s from Toronto, Canada writes: I have a few suggestions for the Israeli Ambassador. Perhaps they should not bomb civilians and kill babies and arrest and detain arabs indefinately. Perhaps they should not attack warships for 2 hours before finding out it was a mistake while they massacred refugees (USS Liberty). Maybe they should quit stealing our passports and conducting government sanctioned murder. Maybe they should quit shelling UN outposts and murdering our citizens as happened a few weeks ago, and remarkably the same area a decade ago. No, I do not think we should aid either of the Arab or Jewish societies as they are an embarrassment to humanity, bent on murder and war.
- Robin Adams from Ottawa, Canada writes: Oh gee, the Israeli ambassador to Canada wants us to do more to help Israel! What the Prime Minister's endorsing the Israeli assault wasn't enough?? Now you want us to send more troops into southern lebanon... presumably so you can kill them on a whim too... Lemme see... looking at the balance sheet lately... what has Israel done for us... Hmmmm ... killed 9 Canadian citizens, caused us a massive refugee problem, harrassed our evacuation ships when they tried to leave and killed one of our unarmed Canadian army officers assigned to a marked UN outpost. No, methinks Israel owes us more than we owe them... perhaps they can start by compensating the families of the people they killed and then move on to the thorny subject of finding out which Israeli pilot had the 'accident' that killed the Canadian soldier and then sending him to us so we can interrogate him. That seems like a fair first step to me before they go making more demands on Canadians for the wonderful support our Prime Minister has the state of Israel.
- Marcus Travadi from Calgary, Canada writes: The Israeli ambassador would like Canada to do more ? If harper will listen to the majority of Canadians, he will find that they are totally opposed to our involvement in conflicts that do not affect us. The trio Harper , Mckay and Stockwell Day are putting us at risk of becoming just as hated as our Southern neighbours.
- evelyn robinson from vancouver, Canada writes: The government of Israel has done irrepaireable harm to its own reputation throughout the world. Hopefully, most people will realize that this is not the fault of the Jewish people. Israel's illegal invasion and unrepentant attack on civillians and our own peacekepper at the well marked UN post; won them no friends. Blaming the Hezbollah for their own acts is ludicrous. Israel is still holding thousands of 'political prisoners' illegally under the Geneva Conventions. What was absolutelu ridiculous was Israel and its supporters complaining about Hezbollah not respecting a UN resolution.It has been Israel that has a decades long utter disregard for UN resolutions and that enjoys an automatic veto by the USA on the more serious resolutions. Stop killing Palestinian children!!!!! The people of Israel need to jettsion the present hardline right winged war mongering leader and vote in moderates; one that will work WITH the world communities; negotiate a peaceful settlement with its neighbours and quit invading them. Peace will not happen over night but it does need to start. As for the Israeli govt and supports whining about Iran and Syria arming the Hezbollah; SO WHAT????? Israel gets well armed and funded by the USA government. Hopefully, the citizens of the USA are waking up to reality and will give the present right winged war loving government the old heave ho. According to the polls' Americans are now coming to that conclusion.
- Tim Bee from Canada writes: I guess if you can get someone else to pay for it instead of yourself, why not. Hopefully, our dictator of a PM will not get sucked in.
- lee johnson from Canada writes: Wow as if the US taxpayer wont step up to the plate for Israel,they already give em 4 or so billion a year . I read that the demolition of Lebanon cost em 1.6 billion US dollars but the only story we read about in mainstream US and Canadian media was the alledged 100 million in weapons that Iran sent the hezzbollah. Didnt these guys watch that old movie WAR GAMES, the only way to win is not to play at all! Stay out of it Canada please
- whirlwind annie from You Guess!, Canada writes: What nerve of the Israelis! With the whopping amount the Us of A contributes, all the armaments US of A shipped to help them that's who they should call on. You are no friend of Canada's and Stevie better wear a flack jacket if he opts to support this one sided narrow minded venture.
- Michele K from Ottawa, Canada writes: Mike Smith, I'll go you one better - not only would Canada be seen to be an extension of the Israeli military, we would be. No difference here than where Canadian troops have freed up US troops to carry on with their dirty war in Iraq. Hard to believe anyone would think that keeps our hands clean.
-
Subhadeep Chakrabarti from Canada writes: Wonderful ! The Israelis kill a bunch of Canadians, including a UN soldier and a number of children and now they want us to go out and pat them on their backs !! I must say Mr Baker has a great sense of humour. And the by the way, when we are going to stop arms delivery to Hezbollah, why not put up an arms embargo against Israel too ? After all, they hardly differ in behaviour (one is terrorist supported by Lebanon's poor, the otehr is a terrorist nation patronized by the world's rich) !
- serf 9238477 from Canada writes: This article reads like a sick joke. Oh yes Mr. Baker, Canadians are just all a-tingle at your generous invitation. Oh and have we thanked you enough for slaughtering our fellow-citizens yet? Any body parts Mr. Harper has insufficiently kissed? Sure, we're all just super-keen to help Israel embargo Lebanon. Wouldn't it be great if your next (third) attempt to massacre, ethnically cleanse and occupy it were opposed by unarmed UN observers and children throwing stones. (Since the brave and moral IDF have twice now demonstrated they have neither the stomach nor wits for fighting any more evenly-matched opponent.) Glad to see from the comments so far that Mr. Baker has badly misjudged the intelligence of the Canadian public. He's certainly right Canada can do more. My Canada would do everything in its power to ensure that those who ordered, carried out or were accessories to the war crimes perpetrated on the Lebanese are brought to justice and Lebanon justly compensated. M. Duceppe deserves kudos for his principled actions in this instance. It's a pity his principles don't extend to refusing to serve as an enabler for an amoral neo-con puppet government.
- J Ecoff from Vancouver, Canada writes: What a wishful thinking! Israelies are the only rightous people on earth. As a tax payer, I urge our government stay neutral at all times. Israel is or is becoming a rogue state detriment to the world peace.
- Beatriz Perez-Sanchez from Toronto, Canada writes: Canada shouldn't supply so much as a military-issue pencil to help the Israeli war machine. It is bad enough that we have an invertebrate Prime Minister who allows Canadian foreign policy to be dictated by the Zionist lobby. We do not need to become an accomplice in helping Israel to 'defend' itself against anything. In view of its continuing reign of terror against the Palestinians, its total disregard for civilians in the invasion of Lebanon and its contempt for the neutrality and lives of unarmed United Nations observers, Israel does not warrant protection from anyone. Let it fend for itself.
- evelyn robinson from vancouver, Canada writes: Whirlwind Annie I like your spunk and your comments. I agree. If I were to donate to anyone; it would be Lebanese civillians not Israel. Israel was the invader country and showed no respect for humanitarian laws. It gets plenty of money from the USA; Israel should be able to help their own innocent civillians that Israel endangered.
- Bruno Paradis from Montreal, Canada writes: First of all, the conflict was sparked because Israel got a couple of its soldiers captured INSIDE lebanese territory (proven fact that was quietly put aside). Second, Hezbollah is not a terror organisation but a resistance movement which was created when Israel invaded Lebanon in 82 -IT DID NOT EXIST PRIOR TO THE 82 INVASION- and now Israel says we could do more to help them? The same country that time and time again was caught using Canadian passport for their secret service. The same country that is in violation of tens of UN resolution? Or is it the same country that cries all the time to the world that Iran or Syria are providing weapons to hezbollah while they ask the US for quick shipement of their order of WMD du jour? I am simply disgusted at what these people will say to the world to look like they are the victims. So they can ask money, ask for more laws protecting them, ask for more blood of innocent being spilled for the sake of a tiny piece of land that should have never existed in the first place. pax
Comments are closed
Thanks for your interest in commenting on this article, however we are no longer accepting submissions. If you would like, you may send a letter to the editor .
*******************
Fair Use Notice: The above newspaper article is copyrighted material the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.
Originally posted on Globe and Mail Forum
Your
Comments
canpalnet-ottawa.org
|
