PEOPLE of Arab countries, especially the Lebanese and Palestinians, have
been held hostage for a long time in the name of “resisting Israel.” Arab
governments have been caught between political obligations and public
opinion leading to more corruption in politics and economics. Forgetting the
interests of their own countries the Hamas Movement and Hezbollah have gone
to the extent of representing the interests of Iran and Syrian in their
countries. These organizations have become the representatives of Syria and
Iran without worrying about the consequences of their action.

Recently Hamas kidnapped an Israeli soldier and bombed Israeli settlements
with locally manufactured missiles. Soon Hezbollah followed suit, kidnapping
two Israeli soldiers. Both these organizations claimed they had kidnapped
Israeli soldiers to exchange them for Arab prisoners who are being held in
Israeli jails. The fact that Hamas and Hezbollah gave the same reason for
kidnapping Israeli soldiers gives us a glimpse their agenda, which is
similar to the one followed by Syria and Iran in their conflict with the
United States.

While the people of Palestine and Lebanon are paying the price of this
bloody conflict, the main players, who caused this conflict, are living in
peace and asking for more oil from Arab countries to support the facade of
resisting Israel. With the Palestinian Authority close to collapse and the
Lebanese government beginning to give up responsibility for what is
happening in its territory, Saudi Arabia has been forced to come out of its
diplomatic routine and indirectly hold Hezbollah responsible for what is
happening Lebanon.

Without mentioning Hezbollah by name Saudi Arabia blamed certain “elements”
inside Lebanon for the violence with Israel and said “it is necessary to
make a distinction between legitimate resistance and uncalculated adventures
adopted by certain elements within Lebanon without the knowledge of legal
Lebanese authorities.” While reiterating its support for Palestinian and
Lebanese resistance against Israeli occupation, Saudi Arabia has clearly
said it is against irresponsible adventures undertaken by certain elements
in the region without consulting the legal authorities putting all Arab
nations at risk. The Kingdom has also said “these elements must take
responsibility for their irresponsible actions and they alone should end the
crisis created by them.”

This angry response from Saudi Arabia has politically isolated Hezbollah and
Hamas besides holding them responsible for their actions.

This attitude of Saudi Arabia, which has been doing all it can to protect
the Arab world from Israeli aggression, is enough to unmask the adventurers,
who have violated the rights of their own countries and tried put their
people under the guardianship of foreign countries like Iran and Syria. A
battle between supporters and opponents of these adventurers has begun,
starting from Palestine to Tehran passing through Syria and Lebanon. This
war was inevitable as the Lebanese government couldn’t bring Hezbollah
within its authority and make it work for the interests of Lebanon.
Similarly leader of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas has been unable
to rein in the Hamas Movement.

Unfortunately we must admit that in such a war the only way to get rid of
“these irregular phenomena” is what Israel is doing. The operations of
Israel in Gaza and Lebanon are in the interest of people of Arab countries
and the international community.

e-mail: ahmedjarallah@ hotmail.com

http://www.arabtime sonline.com/ arabtimes/ opinion/view. asp?msgID= 1242