The Longest War

The longest war: Israel in Lebanon was published in 1982. Jacobo Timerman is dedicating the book to " Major Giora Harnik, of the Israeli Army. "I never knew him" recounted the author " I know that he died at the head of his unit in hand-to-hand combat for Beaufort Castle in the first days of the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in what was the hardest battle of the war ....." After twenty-four years (July 2006) Israel tried again. The pretext this time has been to disarm Hizbullah and cut it to size. Actually Israel's aim was to annihilate the HZB and set free the two Israeli Soldiers who the HZB has `kidnapped' at the well-defended Israeli/Lebanese borders. During thirty-three days, Israel tried to win a semi-permanent military occupation of the South. They have well established a presence there but, from the first day, there has never been abject submission of the South-Lebanese. The government was required, as a condition of retaining its position, to sign such documents as are prepared by the Israelis. This Lebanon was expected to do without criticism or comment, as a military private executes the orders of his superiors. Some years ago (in 1982) a mild attempt of the then present young Bashir Gemayel to exercise some of the prerogatives of a sovereign was summarily suppressed by the occupying authorities. In 1982, immediately after taking the country, there were serious complaints by the Lebanese authorities and the Lebanese and foreign residents on account of their losses, caused by the bombardment and subsequent burning and pillage of the Capital - Beirut. The International Community (through the UN) did not bother to issue any decree making these losses a charge upon Israel. What else could the UN do? It has become almost a principle of international law that the conquered shall be charged with the cost of the conquest. The losses incurred in Lebanon, and notably at Beirut, were only an incident in the war. It is a well-known dictum in the West that in action between litigants, the country failing is generally charged with the cost of the proceedings on the ground that it was wrong in its pretensions. Lebanon was treated as ` the country failing' and was bequeathed with resolution 425. That's all. Among nations, might practically make right. Consequently, the weaker must pay the cost of failure and Lebanon's accumulated debt is nearing fifty billion U.S Dollars. That's all. What has changed after 25 years? Not much! True: Lebanon's political geography has conquered its aggressors. And the legend "If I am not for myself who will be for me?" has prevailed. What has changed after 25 years? Not much! The fact remains: The Palestinians are still without a country but somehow retained their sense of nationality in the Diaspora. The Lebanese remained in their country, and are striving never to lose their nationality under a succession of alien conquerors and heavy pecuniary burden. How can it ever be perceived that such wars are made for

'This book is dedicated to Major Giora Harnik, of the Israeli Army. I never knew him. I know he died at the head of his unit in hand-to-hand combat for Beaufort Castle in the first days of the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in what was the hardest battle of the war. I know , too, that he was an active member of the Peace Now movement, and that he was against the war in which he killed and died. I know he was a pacifist. I know that he could not live and die for his ideas because he had to kill and die for the obsessions of inept rulers and vain military men who are running a nation created by moralists and dreamers. I know his mother, Raaya Harnik, is crushed with despair, and his friends are shattered. I hope this book will help us all. But I'm not so sure. We Israeli's are confused and frightened. Giora Harnik's mother wrote: "If we want to continue to be a humane, just and incorruptable society, we must make sure that our sword is clean and drawn only in defense." But Giora was already dead, and many died after him.' -- from book's back cover