The impractical but vocal old-European nations were among the first to shout foul about Israel’s recent attempts to defend itself but it is Italy, not France or Germany, that is providing the majority of troops to the Lebanon.
France, according to the last figures I saw, are contributing 200 troops, Bangladesh (commendably) 1,000 and Italy 3,000. For obvious reasons Britain and the US are unable to commit troops.
But surely, as the second most powerful miltary power in Europe, France should be contributing at least as many troops as the coalition-of-the-willing-Italy. Israel, I am sure, would have happily allowed Hezbollah to be disarmed by third parties with no direct benefit. Israel, by implication then, would have been happy for the UN to stop terrorists attacking it and kidnapping its soldiers.
But the UN, despite all the obvious need, is again shown to be toothless. Were I a terrorist in the Middle East watching on at this, I would be more concerned about the serious efforts of Israel, Britain, Italy and the US than I would be of the rest of the world combined. The UN, if it did its job, could stop Britain, Israel and the US from appearing to be bullies in a world full of real bullies (Hezbollah, Hamas and Al Qaeda).
So, France, put your money where your mouth is and help Israel and the Lebanon avoid further anti-state terrorist activity.
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