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Al-Ahram Weekly 25 - 31 May 2000 Issue No. 483 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 25 - 31 May 2000 Issue No. 483
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Focus Features Travel Living Sports Profile People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Free at last
Israel's chaotic withdrawal from south Lebanon and the humiliating defeat of its proxy militia, the South Lebanon Army (SLA), whose soldiers fled in panic to seek refuge in Israel, is indeed an unprecedented victory for the Lebanese and the Arabs in general.For the first time, Israel has withdrawn from occupied Arab land under the pressure of the painful blows inflicted by the heroic Lebanese resistance, under the leadership of Hizbullah's young fighters. These fighters won despite their limited capabilities as compared to the region's most powerful and best equipped army, simply because they believe passionately that they are fighting for a just cause.
Immediately after the Israeli army was routed, hundreds of Lebanese civilians and Hizbullah fighters were entering villages and towns in the south, reclaiming their liberated land. With their bare hands they tore down the cell doors, walls and barbed wire of the notorious Khiam prison camp, where hundreds of Lebanese prisoners have spent as long as 15 years without trial -- telling proof of Israel's understanding of democracy and human rights when Arabs are involved.
Hizbullah fighters who took over the liberated villages were quick in calming the fears of Christian residents, thus refuting Israeli claims that Lebanon's Christians would be at the mercy of extremist guerrillas after the occupation ended.
In such a festive atmosphere, Israel's threat to reoccupy the south if Hizbullah resumes its attacks on northern Israel seems unimportant. If the Israeli Defence Forces return, it will be to learn another tough lesson in how force alone cannot preserve an unjust occupation against the will of the people. Israeli Justice Minister Yossi Beilin rightly admitted, while commenting on possible Hizbullah attacks, that any price Israel will pay in the future will be much smaller than, if at all comparable to, the price it has paid already. Perhaps Israel will realise that the same lesson applies to occupied Arab territory elsewhere, in Jerusalem, the West Bank, Gaza and the Golan Heights. The anger expressed during demonstrations by Palestinians in the West Bank in the past two weeks can only be understood as a clear warning sign to the occupiers.
