Resolution on the Middle East Conflict

[MasterJedi]

This is in the fifth slot.


Resolution on the Middle East Conflict


Recognising that the security and stability of the Middle East is threatened by the current conflict between Hizbollah and Israel,

The Atlasian Senate hereby recognises that;
(1) the terrorist group, Hizbollah, is acting without legitimate cause or grievance;
(2) it is acting with the tacit support of the Syrian and Iranian governments;
(3) should this support continue the government of Atlasia should not stand idly by, but should actively support the state of Israel in dealing with this foreign aggression;
(4) while the state of Israel is entitled to be strong and secure within its borders, attacks on non-military targets, inflicting fatalities and serious injuries on foreign citizens, are actions contrary to generally recognised human rights and should be discontinued.
___________________________________________________________

Sponsor: Sen. Jas

[MasterJedi]

I hereby introduce this amendment to rewrite the bill:


Recognizing that the security and stability of the Middle East is threatened by the current conflict between Hezbollah and Israel,

The Atlasian Senate hereby recognizes that:
1. The terrorist group, Hezbollah, is acting without legitimate cause or grievance and is slaughtering innocent Israeli citizens.
2. It is acting with the tacit support of the Syrian and Iranian governments.

Thus the Atlasian Senate hereby:
1. Condemns Hezbollah, Syria and Iran.
2. Condemns Hezbollah for launching rockets from civilian areas, thus making Israel attack civilian areas and causing undue death of Lebanese citizens to protect its own citizens.
3. Gives wholehearted support to the Israeli government in their attacks against Hezbollah and supports its complete destruction.

[jerusalemcar5]

Deleting Clause 4 will make us look like a joke.  We need to say that their strikes have been out of line and inappropriate.

[Jake]

I fully support Jedi's amendment.

[Virginian87]

I am willing to support Senator MasterJedi's amendment only if Clause IV be stricken.  I believe that the situation will only become more of a threat to Atlasian national security if we present ourselves as poised to sell weapons to the Israelis.  I am not against Israel, but I am concerned about the effect of this bill on our endeavors in the Middle East.  We're fighting a tough conflict in Iraq as it is.  If we come out explicitly on the side of Israel, I think the situation is only going to worsen. 

Other than Clause IV, I believe that this amendment is sound.

[ilikeverin]

Yeah, like MasterJedi's amendment isn't completely pro-Israel on all accounts

I like Jas's original version

[Јas]

I, unsurprisingly, do not support Masterjedi's proposed amendment. The actions of the Israeli government have shown reckless disregard for the lives of innocent civilians.

Gravely disproportionate reactions, such as that of Israel, turns moderate sympathisers to radicals and  will almost certainly result in a great increase in support for Hizbollah. The solution to these problems must surely be a political process. This opinion is informed by the histories of such groups as the IRA and ETA.

Of course, Israel has the right to defend itself. It does not, however, have the right to take it's retribution against the innocent Lebanese.

[afleitch]

I have concerns over Clause 4. Israel can defeat Hezbollah by itself and with its own manpower and weaponry, and rightly so. We should not be drawn into this conflict militarily and should instead, provide Israel with diplomatic support.

[MasterJedi]

Ok, I have withdrawn clause 4, I hope it's satisfactory to most Senators so it can pass.

[Democratic Hawk]

I agree with the sentiments expressed by Senator Virginian87 and Secretary of State Afleitch. I will be supporting Jedi's amendment without Clause 4

'Hawk'

[jerusalemcar5]

I struggle with Clause 2 (Jedi version).  Israeli missiles struck civilian areas first, and in response Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel.  Not the other way around.  They certainly did not "force" Israel to kill civilians as Israel acted of its own volition.

Also Clause 3 (Jedi version) gives support to Israel destroying Lebanon's infrastructure and killing Lebanese civilians.  We cannot just blindly support Israel, we must be a mediating force.  Israel has done some terrible things, although they certainly have a much more just cause than Hezbollah, we cannot dismiss what they've done wrong and praise Israel for doing it.

Finally, I will wholeheartedly not be supporting this amendment and am quite pleased with the original, much saner, version written by Senator Jas.

[MasterJedi]

I hereby open up the vote on this amendment. Please vote Aye, Nay or Abstain.

Recognizing that the security and stability of the Middle East is threatened by the current conflict between Hezbollah and Israel,

The Atlasian Senate hereby recognizes that:
1. The terrorist group, Hezbollah, is acting without legitimate cause or grievance and is slaughtering innocent Israeli citizens.
2. It is acting with the tacit support of the Syrian and Iranian governments.

Thus the Atlasian Senate hereby:
1. Condemns Hezbollah, Syria and Iran.
2. Condemns Hezbollah for launching rockets from civilian areas, thus making Israel attack civilian areas and causing undue death of Lebanese citizens to protect its own citizens.
3. Gives wholehearted support to the Israeli government in their attacks against Hezbollah and supports its complete destruction.

[MasterJedi]

Aye

[Jake]

Aye

[Hatman 🍁]

Nay

[ilikeverin]

Nope

[jerusalemcar5]

NAY.

[bgwah]

nay

[Virginian87]

Aye. 

Since MasterJedi changed his amendment by striking Clause IV, I don't see this as giving blind support to Israel.  That accusation would be valid had we actually committed to selling weapons to them.  I see this more as an Atlasian denouncement of Hezbollah as a terrorist group, which just happens to be the same position that Israel takes.

[jerusalemcar5]

Aye. 

Since MasterJedi changed his amendment by striking Clause IV, I don't see this as giving blind support to Israel.  That accusation would be valid had we actually committed to selling weapons to them.  I see this more as an Atlasian denouncement of Hezbollah as a terrorist group, which just happens to be the same position that Israel takes.

It does not make any statement that condemns disproportionate Israeli killings of innocents and destruction of infrastructure.  It is blind to the fact that Israel is not always in the right and certainly are not here.  That it why it is one of the most overt cases of blind  Israeli  support.

[Hatman 🍁]

Both sides should be denounced. It's just an endless cylcle of stupidity. 

[Democratic Hawk]

Aye

'Hawk'

[Јas]

Nay

While the absence of section 4 makes the amendment more palatable, I disagree with section 2. I also feel that Israel has acted recklessly  regarding innocent civilians and UN forces in the region, something which I feel should be recognised.

I would re-iterate that only a political solution can result in a long-term solution to the problem. Heavy handed military force which has a greater effect on the general population than the declared enemy, which is capable of fighting a prolonged and effective (in terms of damge caused) guerrilla conflict will not bring about an end. It will only build and consolidate support against Israel.

[Јas]

I'm interested in enquiring just how far the Senators who voted aye on this amendment believe Israel is justified in going in it's attacks.

[WMS]

Aye, and while I wish the Israelis would be more careful in how they are going about matters I wholeheartedly support the destruction of Hezbollah - I haven't forgotten what they did back in 1983. The only alternative solution I would back would be the disarmament and relocation of Hezbollah far, far away from Israel.