Fateful Triangle

Peace for Galilee429example—in this war—of how the IDF never aims at civilian targets, asBegin explained while recalling the familiar military doctrine ofpunishing the civilian population (see p. 386). “This action is of theutmost gravity,” Ambassador Tueni said, “and my government earnestlyhopes that the Council is not thus confronted with yet anotherpreemptive act by Israel.” He requested that the Security Council act “tostop the aggression against Lebanon” “the wanton bombardment ofpositions in Lebanon by Israel...” The Security Council responded byunanimously passing a Resolution calling for a cease-fire at 6AM onJune 6, to which Israel responded in turn by launching the invasion onJune 6. Perhaps mindful of the warning by the representative ofLebanon that Israeli aggression was a “catastrophe” for Lebanon andperhaps for international peace and security as well, the SecurityCouncil unanimously passed a further resolution on June 6 that“Demands that Israel withdraw its military forces forthwith andunconditionally to the internationally recognized borders of Lebanon.”This too was disregarded by the liberators. On June 8, the U.S. vetoed aSecurity Council resolution that “Condemns the noncompliance” of Israelwith the earlier resolutions, calling for immediate cessation of hostilitiesand withdrawal of Israeli forces. 177 By this act, the U.S. gave its officialblessing to the liberation, a stance that it then maintained, with thegeneral approbation of the media, while stoutly denying the fact.In an article entitled “Different Lebanese React Differently,” thejournal reported that “With the exception of the rightist Lebanese Front,officials, politicians and party leaders unreservedly condemned Israel’sinvasion of Lebanon and vowed to resist it, accusing the United States ofresponsibility for the savage aggression and denouncing the Arabs’failure to throw their full weight behind Lebanon and the Palestinians.”Among those joining in the condemnation was Prime Minister ShafikWazzan, speaking in the name of the Council of Ministers. Wazzan wasClassics in Politics: The Fateful TriangleNoam Chomsky