A European Solution to Gaza & Lebanon Problem?

The consensus of almost all commentators on the Israeli reaction to Hamas and Hezbullah aggression dooms the region and world to even worse consequences: continuation of levels of conflict that have plagued the region for decades, even enlargement to attacks on Syria that may result in subsequent chaos that dwarfs Iraqi, emboldening terrorists to actions that undermine peaceful coexistance with Israel or democratic developments within Lebanon or even Syria, and exploiting Arab resentments.

To try and keep track of the confusion, equivocating and rare glimmers of forward-looking insight, click on Pajamas Media’s running links.

There is a way out, as outside current commentary as it may be:
· European forces – either under NATO or UN umbrella if possible, but anyway – secure the Lebanon and Gaza border areas, to neutralize and disarm terrorists and thus eliminate their threat to Israel and power over the nascent states; and
· At the same time fully engage in massive economic and infrastructure aid within Lebanon and Gaza, to replace the social role that Hamas and Hezbollah have filled and to build a more resistant civic culture, optimism and stake in peace.

The French Foreign Minister says the Israeli counters may be justified but is “disproportionate.” Others bemoan armed conflict, as if that stops terrorists or their state sponsors in Syria and Iran who cause and welcome it, for itself, to strengthen their hold on Lebanon and the Arab “street,” for distracting from Iran’s nuclear efforts, or in the not historically unjustified belief that Western intervention will more weaken Israel and its population’s resolve through compromises than themselves.

President Bush, as usual and alone in his seriousness, gets to the core of the issues, during his press conference with Chancellor Merkel in Stralsund, Germany yesterday:

My attitude is this: There are a group of terrorists who want to stop the advance of peace. And those of -- who are peace-loving must work together to help the agents of peace -- Israel, President Abbas, and others -- to achieve their objective. You got to understand when peace advances, it's in the terrorists' interests in some cases to stop it. And that's what's happening.

We were headed toward the road map, things looked positive, and terrorists stepped up and kidnapped a soldier, fired rockets into Israel. Now we've got two more kidnappings up north. Hezbollah doesn't want there to be peace. The militant arm of Hamas doesn't want there to be peace. And those of us who do want peace will continue to work together to encourage peace….

And having said that, Israel has a right to defend herself. Every nation must defend herself against terrorist attacks and the killing of innocent life. It's a necessary part of the 21st century.

Secondly, we -- whatever Israel does, though, should not weaken the Siniora government in Lebanon. We're concerned about the fragile democracy in Lebanon. We've been working very hard through the United Nations and with partners to strengthen the democracy in Lebanon. The Lebanese people have democratic aspirations, which is being undermined by the actions and activities of Hezbollah.

Thirdly, Syria needs to be held to account. Syria is housing the militant wing of Hamas. Hezbollah has got an active presence in Syria. The truth of the matter is, if we really want there to be -- the situation to settle down, the soldiers need to be returned, and President Assad needs to show some leadership toward peace.

Chancellor Merkel also commented, at least affirming that Israel's “disproportionate” actions are justified and where the fault lays:

Well, as to the violence in the Middle East, particularly as regards Lebanon, I think that one needs to be very careful to make a clear distinction between the root causes and the consequences of something. So we started here from a case of kidnapping of a soldier, and one of the other root causes also is the activity of Hezbollah. And it's most important for the Israeli government to be strengthened, but it is also clearly shown that these incursions, such as the kidnapping of soldiers, is not acceptable.

And the parties to that conflict obviously have to use proportionate means, but I am not at all for sort of blurring the lines between the root causes and the consequences of an action. There has to be a good reaction now, not from the Israeli government, but from those who started these attacks in the first place.

The U.S. and Europe are not that far apart. Neither wants regional conflict or it enlarging in the Middle East, but both see that the primary barrier to peace and future democratic development is in the instability created by Hamas and Hezbollah.

European, and Canadian, armed forces are actively engaged in taking the pacification of Afghanistan outside Kabul, and are succeeding in decimating Taliban insurgents. They demonstrate resolve and effectiveness when applied. They can do the same along the Gaza and Lebanese border areas, breaking Syria and Iran’s stranglehold on progress within Gaza and Lebanon and with Israel.