Over the years, the Syrians battled Israeli forces and various Lebanese factions, losing thousands of soldiers.
At its peak, Syria had more than 30,000 soldiers in Lebanon and, in peacetime, gained almost exclusive control of Lebanon’s politics and economy. But as part of the 1989 Taif agreement ending the war, Syria was to withdraw from Lebanon in two stages over two years. Last September, the United Nations passed Resolution 1559 calling for Syria’s immediate withdrawal. That resolution has now been fulfilled.
The eyes of the world must turn to another occupying state in the Middle East that has consistently, with open approval of its allies, defied United Nations resolutions. Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories is the cause of the instability in the Middle East. The occupation has run far longer than Syria’s stay in Lebanon.
The United Nations has passed Resolutions 242, 334, and 1407 on the matter. These have been consistently ignored by Israel. Interestingly, the ferocity and intensity with which the United States asks other countries to respect international law somehow diminishes when the spotlight shifts to Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine.
United States policies in the Middle East play into the hands of extremists, who use such bias against Palestinians as a rallying call.
Until the United States ends its double standards in the region, and justice prevails, the suffering of both Palestinians and Israelis will continue.
Today’s Thought
Peace and justice are two sides
of the same coin.
- Dwight D. Eisenhower
