Israel, of course, is solely and permanently under UN scrutiny for whatever the Human Rights Commission wants to condemn it for today. But it’s not Israel that’s murdering UN peacekeepers. And presumably – unless you’re a lunatic anti-Semite and/or a Ron Paul supporter – it’s not Israel that’s launching rockets at Israeli schools and hospitals from South Lebanon. UNIFIL soldiers are helpless to protect themselves or prevent Iranian proxies from firing into Israel, and so Israel is politely requesting that the UN please try to stop sucking:
“Otherwise these types of attacks will unfortunately continue to happen.”
Of course, there are several UN members who are loath to expand UNIFIL’s mandate. The controversy, we suggest to you, has to do with a fundamental disagreement about what the role of UNIFIL is. Some people – say, well-meaning American diplomats – think that UNIFIL is there to provide a buffer between Israeli and Lebanese forces. Other people – say, a majority of the United Nations – prefer UNIFIL soldiers to be human shields for Hezbollah. And lest you think we’re exaggerating:
Yes. The current UNIFIL mandate – which requires them to enforce the recent ceasefire and allow the Lebanese army to control South Lebanon – does not allow them to intercept weapons bound for Hezbollah. Good to know that they’ve been equipped with what they need to succeed.
References:
* Six UN peacekeepers killed in southern Lebanon car bombing [Ha'aretz]
* UNIFIL: We Suck. We Totally, Totally Suck. [MR]
* Israel seeks changes to UNIFIL mandate after attacks [JPost]
Previously:
* France to Lead UNIFIL
* UNIFIL Involvement in 2000 Kidnapping Not News. Involvement of UNIFIL Soldier Who Thought of Lebanon as "Second Homeland", However, Is.
* UNIFIL Given Authorization To Keep Sucking
