Winds of Change

Winds of change are blowing in both Lebanon and the Palestinian Authority; both for the better. In Lbeanon Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah said on an interview that had he known that the kidnap would lead to such devastation, he would not have gone with it. Now that he knows that, let us hope that he will allow the Lebanese government to decide on attacks the next time. Early signs show he will as he is inclined to let the government negotiate the issue of the POWs. He also said Israel is not planning on a second round as people who had for second round, do not rebuild first as the Israelis do (does this mean that Hezbollah is also not heading for a second round as it is rebuilding?). This proclamation testifies to the dire situation in which Hezbollah is in following this war. It takes away Nasrallah's ability to say Israel planned it all along the next time; but then again, this is not at the top of his concerns at the moment... he needs to rebuild Hezbollah's image in the public. This would be a great opportunity for the west to support the Siniora government and have this ELECTED government take control.

Good winds are also blowing in the PA. Hamas spokesperson Dr. Razi Hamed pointed for the first time ever by a Hamas official, a finger at the Palestinian people for what is going on inside instead of Israel. Yes, he blames Israel for the deaths and financial situation; but the anarchy and crime are the results of the Palestinain people and in particular the armed militias who shoot rockets at Israel hampering the livelihood of many Palestinians, and the rocket attacks on the Rafah crossing that also lead to that. Most importantly he condamned the journalist kidnapping industry in Gaza whic has become prevelant.

What these two points mean is that a looming light is coming on in the fight with Israel in which resources will be turned towards rebuilding Lebanese and Palestinian society. No more hiding behind excuses blaming the other for what has happened. It is time to also look in the mirror. Because if this important step does not happen, results will be disastrous. In Lebann, if Hezbollah is not reigned on, then the country will follow it to war with Israel again and again till nothin left. In the PA, if this looking inwards does not occur, then eventually Israel will disengage, completely separating from the PA with no agreement, leaving the Palestinians with nothing. If that happens both sides will not be able to blame Israel and the world would not either as happened in Camp David 2000.