Final Show-Down Between Israel and Hezbollah?

"Hezbollah’s continued threats to target all of Israel with missiles show how egregiously the Iranian-backed terrorist group exploits Lebanon as a base for its illegal rocket arsenal."

"Hezbollah has stockpiled masses of rockets, armed drones, anti-tank missiles, and precision-guided munitions in recent years."

"Hezbollah has fired more than 2,000 rockets at Israel since it chose to back Hamas’s brutal attack in October."

"Hezbollah’s continued threats show that it is not deterred and is willing to risk catastrophic escalation in the region."

"The terrorist group must be deterred, and Israel should be supported in operations against Hezbollah."

Seth Franzman, ME Analyst, Journalist, Fellow, Foundation for Defense of Democracies 

Screenshot of Hezbullah military exercise in southern Lebanon  (RT Arabic)

Cross border fire between Israeli forces and the Iranian proxy terror group Hezbollah in Lebanon in almost daily exchanges dating from Israel's campaign against Hamas in October, have reached a pitch and plans are underway that this escalation of conflict will inevitably led to full-scale war between the two forces. Preparations on Israel's side include additional military exercises for ground, naval and aerial forces in the country's north, according to the Israel Defense Forces.

 

The IDF stated that area leaders with the IDF have been briefed "on the processes to accelerate readiness for continued fighting", while storage facilities are installed for the purpose of a quick and broad mobilization of IDF troops to the front lines.  About 40 targets linked to Hezbollah in southern Lebanon were struck by Israel this week, representing an escalation of hostilities following Hezbollah's deepest attack within Israel, the day before.

Active and frequent clashes have led to the evacuation of tens of thousands of civilians on both sides of the Lebanese border. Hezbollah is considered to be the most dangerous militia in the Middle East, in possession of 150,000 missiles and rockets, among them those with a long enough range to reach virtually anywhere in Israel. About 17,000 rockets, missiles and artillery shells have targeted Israel since October 7; that fateful day of the terrorist invasion of southern Israel with its savage outcome in the massive death count, mutilation, rape and hostage-taking of Israeli civilians.

 

Photo: Anwar Amro/AFP/Getty Images

 

Israel estimates a baseline scenario, should a fully fledged war erupt, of up to 5,000 missiles daily entering Israel from Lebanon, over and above several hundred fired by other Iranian proxies in Yemen, Iraq and Syria. The very volume of which could potentially test Israel's air defence systems to a breaking point, resulting in increased numbers of casualties. It is anticipated that Hezbollah would attempt to hit infrastructure facilities such as power plants and water pipes; sea ports airports and communication sites.

A situation that during wartime, would fully justify Israel striking deep enough into Lebanon to  hit major cities and their critical civil infrastructure; Beirut included. Israel developed a National Emergency Authority to coordinate its various agencies in government in preparation for a surprise attack; the blueprint known as "the compass", a classified document laying out Hezbollah's capabilities and the maximum harm that could result from an all-out war with Hezbollah.

 

Israel and Hezbollah have been exchanging fire since 7 October [Getty]

No Tolerance in Germany for Antisemitism

"One thing is particularly important to me."

"As a result of the German crime against humanity of the Holocaust comes our special responsibility for the protection of Jews and for the protection of the State of Israel. This responsibility is part of our identity today."

"Anyone who doesn't share our values can't get a German passport. We have drawn a crystal clear red line here."

"Antisemitism, racism and other forms of contempt for humanity rule out naturalization."

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser 

Several hundred people demonstrate under the slogan "Stop the genocide in Gaza! Stop the occupation of Palestine!" in Frankfurt city center.

Andreas Arnold/picture alliance/Getty Images

 

Germany, almost uniquely among Western liberal democracies has chosen to crack down on the post-October 7 atrocities-driven celebrations that have broken out led by the Arab, Muslim, Palestinian diaspora settled in the West. Groups dedicated to censoring Israel for the slaughter carried out by Hamas terrorists, claiming they were liberators of Palestinians oppressed by Israel, despite Palestinian lethal violence against the presence of Israel and Jews on ancestral Judaean heritage land, contested by Arab Palestinians as their own.

It is a criminal offence in Germany, punishable by incarceration, to question the Holocaust; racist, antisemitic statements are not viewed with moral equanimity in the country that committed the worst human rights excesses in modern history. A situation compounded by the fact that Germany accepted through immigration of a workforce, refugee intake and illegal migration, the largest contingent of people from the Middle East and North Africa of any European country.

 

A demonstration in support of Israel was held in Munich at the city’s synagogue. Germany’s chancellor has announced bans on activities including burning the Israeli flag and lauding Hamas crimes. Photograph: Michaela Rehle/Reuters

In response to the 'protests' of genocide being committed by Israel in its military incursion into Gaza for the purpose of destroying the terrorist Hamas Gaza government that carried out a one-day campaign of pillage, destruction, mutilations, mass rapes, endless slaughter of children, women and men on civilians in southern Israel in communities bordering Gaza, it is not the terrorists who are acknowledged as the genocidaires, but Israel, in defending itself against such savagery.

The German leadership has formulated a measure to weed out antisemites who plan to seek citizenship in Germany, that fits with its commitment to Israel and the Jewish presence in Germany. A catalogue of over 300 questions which citizenship test questions will be drawn from to comprise appropriate test questions is awaiting final approval. The German magazine Der Spiegel reported on the nature of some of the questions: 

• What is a Jewish house of prayer called?
• When was the State of Israel founded?
• What is the reason for Germany's special responsibility for Israel?
• How is Holocaust denial punished in Germany?
• Who can become a member of the approximately 40 Jewish Maccabi sport clubs in Germany?

The German state of Saxony-Anhalt months earlier prepared a commitment for the "right of the State of Israel to exist" as a requirement for naturalization. Antisemitism and pro-Palestinian declarations and protests have seen Germany crack down on their viral messages of hatred for Israel and provocations against Jews which have proliferated at this time of conflict in Gaza when the Israel Defense Forces mounted a ground assault in retaliation against the horrors of October 7.

 

Strictly monitored speech policies have been enforced on pro-Palestinian protests. Events scheduled to take place at Museum shows, book talks and allied art events have been cancelled. To pass the 33-question citizenship qualifications applicants for German citizenship must answer at least 17 multiple-choice questions correctly within an hour.

 

Over 2,000 antisemitic incidents have been logged by German authorities, prompting leaders in Germany since the October 7 barbarity, to call for improved enforcement of the nation's antisemitism laws.

 

A demonstration in support of Israel was held in Munich at the city’s synagogue. Germany’s chancellor has announced bans on activities including burning the Israeli flag and lauding Hamas crimes. Photograph: Michaela Rehle/Reuters

"Antisemitism has no place in Germany."

"We will do everything to oppose it.We will do this as citizens, and as bearers of political responsibility."

"This includes enforcing existing laws."

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz

Donors, Endowment Funding Fleeing...

"As a university, we are committed to fostering an environment where all members of our community can feel safe, welcomed, heard, and supported."

"This commitment is jeopardized when our leaders, even those in volunteer positions, make divisive statements."

Western University statement

Western University's statement says it is looking for a new Muslim chaplain in consultation with Muslim community leaders. Photo Derek Ruttan/London Free Press

"In 2015 PM Harper [former Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper] tried to make it a crime to glorify and promote terrorism. [Justin] Trudeau blocked his efforts and here we are."

"There exists no law in Canada to prevent this orgy of celebration for the beheading of babies and the rape and execution of little girls."

"Time for a new PM."

Former Senator Linda Frum

 

"Stop spreading lies of beheading babies or rape of little girls. It's been debunked."

"No one is celebrating the murder of Israeli babies."

"Palestinians are mourning the death of their babies. It's incredible how Israel sympathizers simultaneously are the oppressor and the victim."

Aarij Anwer, Muslim chaplain, Western University, London, Ontario

A crowd estimated to be in the thousands marches through the streets of downtown Toronto calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. (Mike Walker)

 

The statement issued by Western University  explained its dismissal of a volunteer Muslim chaplain following comments he placed on line that "do not align with Western's commitment to peaceful and respectful dialogue". The university's statement did not include the wording of the statements issued by the chaplain, but there was a recent exchange online with former Conservative senator Linda Frum respecting her comments on a Toronto vigil that was titled "Glory to our Martyrs".

The martyrs, needless to say represented by Hamas terrorists who have met death at the hands of the Israel Defense Forces following the atrocities committed by those terrorists during their invasion from Gaza into Israel when mass rapes, torture, mutilation, slaughter and hostage-taking of over 200 children, women, men and soldiers took place on October 7. The vigil emphasized that these 'martyrs' were glorious and of course luxuriating in Paradise, each with their 72 virgins.

Western University is now searching for a new Muslim chaplain, in consultation with Muslim community leaders "to seek their advice. We will ensure our Muslim and Palestinian community members feel our support and can share their thoughts".