"Over-reaction" as a sublime understatement

Interactive. Israel/Palestine hostage crisis

Intense heat and a busy time last week have rendered this writer into "slow-motion" mode, all the more weary for the frustration in finding words to express my anger at what is happening in the tiny north west corner of what can effectively be described as "South West Asia".

The main link above leads to an interactive map in today's Guardian which gives a timeline from recent activity in Gaza to the latest incursion into the Lebanon. The battles around Israel's northern border are werll covered elsewhere and sadly detract the world's attention from the likely fate of Palestine. One glance at the map and one is immediately reminded how little territory is left to the Palestinian people - whose resentment at division and occupation by Zionist maurauders remains at the heart of the current conflict. Over 50 years of illegal behaviour by Israel has not only been ignored by the United Nations, but activly supported by the likes of Britain and Amerika. Now we have the hypocritical spectacle of Israel justifying its present excerise in the slaughter of inncocents by citing UN resolutions.

It is said that the Israel lobby has an undue influence on affairs of state in Amerika and Bush's reaction to 9/11 has set a precedent whereby "criminal" acts of terror are being used as an excuse for war-mongering, invasion and colonisation. Israel no longer has to seek justification for what is politely being called "over-reaction" - it has only to point to Amerika for a tactical example and vindication.

Let us not forget too, that only one Israeli soldier was taken hostage in Gaza and only two Israeli soldiers taken in Lebanon. All three were serving military personnel engaged in activities which are illegal in international law. Israel itself holds countless hostages from both Palestine and the Lebanon, many of whom were seized far from any field of combat. The massive, largely Amerikan-supplied, military machinary now being used against the Lebanon is being harnessed for the indiscriminate slaughter of civilians and the destruction of a modern infrastructure that has taken two decades to build. By attacking northern cities like Beirut and Tripoli is seems clear the Israel's intent is to reduce its northern neighbour's status to a backward land ripe for the plucking.

70 years ago, Germany's Hitler sought more living space for his own "master race" to occupy. Amongst his victims were those who later created Israel and were granted statehood within borders they have since failed to respect. 70 years on, their behaviour merely emulates the evil of which they were once victim. That they have nurtured enough power and influence in places like Britain and Amerika to to ensure they can act without any real international opposition is all the more tragic.

Whether by co-incidence or not, the current war has begun as the G8 leaders convened for their annual masturbation convention. Last year the pressure to get their act together was immense thanks to the Live8 events. That it was effectively hi-jacked by the London bombings proved all-too-convenient and little progress on the stated resolutions has been achieved during the last 12 months. Today they will attempt to renew some of those vague pledges. There is unlikely to be much media scrutiny of whatever they cough up - after all, there is a thrilling bomb-fest to be watched on TV - the real blood and gore removed of course lest it upset the sensibilities of the armchair warriors.

Take a look at an atlas. Look up the area roughly described as "South West Asia". To the south, west and east there is sea or ocean. As this war escalates in the north-west corner, consider the threats being made against Syria. Then consider Syria being brought into the war-zone and you'll see Iraq is suddenly part of the same battlefield. Look to the far eastern side and you'll find that other escalating conflict - namely Afghanistan. All that's left in between is that other international bogeyman, Iran. As the new "ol' mate" Olmert joins the Bush/Blair warrior club, it is anyone's guess where this might lead.

Later.