Should Israel Pay For the Rebuilding Of Lebanon?

[Sunstone]

Prior to this war, Lebanon was on the verge of taking off economically. That is, it was all but recovered from years of civil war and occupation by Syria. This war is sure to have set back that recovery, perhaps by a matter of years. So, would it be the right thing for Israel to aide Lebanon in recovering from the war?

If so, how much should Israel do to help Lebanon recover?

Would aiding Lebanon be a good move on Israel's part?

Should other nations help out too? If so, why? If not, why not?

 

[Sunstone]

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[Booko]

Prior to this war, Lebanon was on the verge of taking off economically. That is, it was all but recovered from years of civil war and occupation by Syria. This war is sure to have set back that recovery, perhaps by a matter of years. So, would it be the right thing for Israel to aide Lebanon in recovering from the war?

If so, how much should Israel do to help Lebanon recover?

Would aiding Lebanon be a good move on Israel's part?

Should other nations help out too? If so, why? If not, why not?

The sad fact is Israel probably needs to spend those resources on further security, which is their first priority.

I do think the world would be remiss, though, if it does not put up major assistance to rebuild Lebanon. We all have an interest in seeing stability there and supporting a gov't that prevents the likes of Hezbollah from digging in and can foil interference from Syria and Iran.

The Allies after WW2 had a recognition that, in order to prevent the economic disaster of the Weimar Republic and a resurgence of extreme elements in defeated Germany, that Germany must be returned to a state where it would have a viable economy, gov't and culture.

Lebanon deserves no less.

I just don't think Israel alone can afford it. The US, otoh, can afford it without noticing.

I heard on the news a few days ago that our aid to Lebanon for the past year was $40 million.

I have a great idea -- let's ditch the infamous "Bridge to Nowhere" in Alaska and some other pointless boondoggles and rebuild Lebanon instead. In the long run, we stand to save a LOT of money through more stability in the Middle East.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Israel shoud do all in its power to build a peaceful and prosperous Lebanon.

 

[kai]

Israel nor anyone should pay for the rebuilding of Lebenon while hezbollah are still there its utter nonsense, get rid of Hezbollah and i am sure there would be plenty of help. keep hezbollah and i am sure the Iranians and Syrians will help

 

[michel]

Israel shoud do all in its power to build a peaceful and prosperous Lebanon.

It would be the most honourable thing to do.

 

[Sunstone]

Israel shoud do all in its power to build a peaceful and prosperous Lebanon.

I can see at least two benefits to that. First, it would help the Lebanese, and second, it would help Israel to have peaceful and prosperous nation on its border. But I wonder, after Booko's post, whether Israel has the wealth to do much in the way of building a peaceful and prosperous Lebanon?

 

[michel]

I just don't think Israel alone can afford it. The US, otoh, can afford it without noticing.

I heard on the news a few days ago that our aid to Lebanon for the past year was $40 million.

I have a great idea -- let's ditch the infamous "Bridge to Nowhere" in Alaska and some other pointless boondoggles and rebuild Lebanon instead. In the long run, we stand to save a LOT of money through more stability in the Middle East.

Very good points!:clap

 

[Booko]

Israel shoud do all in its power to build a peaceful and prosperous Lebanon.

While it's true that Israel has by far the best per capita income in the region, do you think there is a lot they can to?

The sad fact is, having used so much ordance, they will have to replace all that, in case they have to do this sort of thing again.

Though I was thinking that during the inevitable ground incursions, if it were possible, it would be a good thing to bring along extra medical supplies and food for those who are stranded there, as there are pockets in southern Lebanon where people are running short. I hear even UNAFIL has run short.

It would be a great bit of PR if they announced they were diverting all monies spent on expansion of settlements in the West Bank to rebuild Lebanon, though. I have no idea how much that is, but the symbolism would reverberate throughout the area.

 

[kai]

It would be the most honourable thing to do.

and while Israel is rebuilding what will Hezbollah be doing. and who among the lebenese would accept aid from the Israelis while Hezbollah is still around

 

[standing_on_one_foot]

and while Israel is rebuilding what will Hezbollah be doing. and who among the lebenese would accept aid from the Israelis while Hezbollah is still around

Well, the moderates would accept, one can only hope, if there are any left. Or the pragmatists who realize that perhaps all the help is needed. Certainly it wouldn't hurt Israel's image. And if they make an offer that's rejected, at least they'll have made the effort.

The difficulty is that you could end up unintentionally helping Hezbollah. I'm not sure how you'd get around that, and doing all that to a region to hurt Hezbollah only to end up funding them would be foolish. But then, if by helping the region you could diminish support for Hezbollah (since if things are going well you have less need of terrorists, particularly against former enemies who are now helping you). Dunno. Tough situation.

 

[St0ne]

If they remove Hezbollah then I say definately yes, if they do not I still say yes but I doubt very much that they would provide anything of any real use.

 

[retrorich]

Should Israel Pay For the Rebuilding Of Lebanon?

If they did, U.S. taxpayers would probably end up footing most of the bill indirectly.

 

[Fluffy]

I don't feel they have any more moral obligation to do so than I do to buy a cinema ticket for my friend. I would still buy my friend a cinema ticket, however.

I would like to see Israel provide aid but I would not blame them if they did not.

 

[Fairness]

Prior to this war, Lebanon was on the verge of taking off economically. That is, it was all but recovered from years of civil war and occupation by Syria. This war is sure to have set back that recovery, perhaps by a matter of years. So, would it be the right thing for Israel to aide Lebanon in recovering from the war?

If so, how much should Israel do to help Lebanon recover?

Would aiding Lebanon be a good move on Israel's part?

Should other nations help out too? If so, why? If not, why not?

In the late 60’s Lebanon was pro west and was becoming the banking center of the Middle East which would not be beneficial for Israelís interests The wars and attacks that followed killed this dream so I would think the Israelís should pay for the rebuilding

 

[icehorse]

None of this makes sense as long as you ignore political Islam.

 

[Colt]

Prior to this war, Lebanon was on the verge of taking off economically. That is, it was all but recovered from years of civil war and occupation by Syria. This war is sure to have set back that recovery, perhaps by a matter of years. So, would it be the right thing for Israel to aide Lebanon in recovering from the war?

If so, how much should Israel do to help Lebanon recover?

Would aiding Lebanon be a good move on Israel's part?

Should other nations help out too? If so, why? If not, why not?

Its a good idea in principle but Lebanon is hopelessly corrupt!

 

[icehorse]

Ha - I just noticed what an old "zombie" thread this is