"Militarism Isn't a Solution": Rami Khouri on Rocket Attack in Golan Heights, Israeli Vow of Revenge

[Uncle Joe]

Israel has vowed to retaliate against Hezbollah after blaming the Lebanese group for a rocket attack Sunday in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights in Syria that killed 12 children at a soccer field. Hezbollah has denied responsibility for the attack in the village of Majdal Shams, home to members of the Druze community, an Arab-speaking minority group. Israel claimed the victims were Israeli citizens, though many Druze in the area do not have Israeli citizenship and are in fact Syrian citizens. The deadly attack has further stoked fear of a wider regional war. Palestinian American journalist Rami Khouri says that while the rocket attack looks as though it could have been an accident, there is still risk of more violence. “The danger is always there that an accident could spark a bigger confrontation,” he says. “Militarism isn’t a solution. Militarism is part of the problem.”

Democracy Now! is an independent global news hour that airs on over 1,500 TV and radio stations Monday through Friday. Watch our livestream at democracynow.org Mondays to Fridays 8-9 a.m. ET.

[AloeVera]

1. For the sake of truth and accuracy, these were Syrian Arab children.

From CNN:

Some 20,000 Druze Arabs live in the Golan Heights, an area Israel seized from Syria in 1967 during the Six-Day War and annexed in 1981. Considered occupied territory under international law and UN Security Council resolutions, the area is also home to about 25,000 Israeli Jewish settlers.

Most Druze there identify as Syrian and have rejected offers of Israeli citizenship. The Regional Council of Majdal Shams said Sunday that none of the 12 children killed had Israeli citizenship.

Bolding mine.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/28/middleeast/israel-hezbollah-golan-heights-soccer-strikes-intl/index.html

No reason on earth for Hezbollah to do this intentionally, nor for this to result in the killing or suffering of more children and civilians.

The EU has called for a tri-partite investigation. The U.S. is calling for de-escalation.

[Beastly Boy]

2. For the sake of truth and accuracy, these were Israeli permanent residents.

From the earlier version of the same CNN article:

More than 20,000 Druze live in the Golan Heights. Most of them identify as Syrian and rejected an offer of Israeli citizenship when Israel seized the region in 1967. Those who refused were given Israeli residency cards but are not considered Israeli citizens.

None of the Druze killed in Saturday’s attack on the soccer field held Israeli citizenship, the Regional Council of Majdal Shams told CNN.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/28/middleeast/druze-golan-heights-israel-occupied-attack-explainer-intl/index.html#:~:text=More%20than%2020%2C000%20Druze%20live%20in%20the%20Golan,residency%20cards%20but%20are%20not%20considered%20Israeli%20citizens.

Bolding mine.

For the sake of truth and accuracy, a small but telling redaction. They were Israeli permanent residents.

As far as Hezbollah having no reason on earth to bomb children, when was the last time they needed a reason to bomb any civilians? But if you are still looking for reasons why they chose this particular Druze town, consider this:

Hamas' October 7 attack and its escalation to the northern front has led to increased integration of the Druze communities in the Golan with Israeli authorities. In November 2023, Majdal Shams Mayor Dolan Abu Saleh discussed the formation of the town's first IDF-trained guard squadron, calling it a milestone in the increasing "cooperation and harmony with IDF forces in the Golan villages."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Druze_in_Israel#:~:text=%20Alongside%20the%20Jewish%20majority%20and%20the%20Circassian,top%20positions%20in%20Israeli%20politics%20and%20public%20service.

Unspeakable cruelty is the message they wanted to get across. Any more excuses for the terrorists?