A Strong State

Can we publicly admire the Israeli government’s actions?

The sight of thousands of Israeli soldiers storming the remaining die-hard settlers in Gaza and removing them by force from their last stands will definitely cause a lot of emotions in the Arab/Lebanese press and media. Pundits are already writing tributes to the heroism of the “epical” intifada. Yet the one emotion we’re not likely to see anytime soon is this: Admiration for the Israeli Government’s action.

Admiration and envy to be precise. In Lebanon, we invented the world wahra, (Strong and influential presence that commands respect), but in reality, the Lebanese government is not strong enough to take on a vocal minority. We keep asking ourselves: Can the Lebanese army enforce a decision that the government deems best for our long-term interest despite short-term unpopularity?

We have driven the international community nuts with our constant need to compromise, fudge, make deals and appease. Journalist-cum-lawmaker Gebran Tweni has joined the fray and is asking the Prime Minister to be more confrontational.

Apologists for non-confrontation argue that Lebanon cannot be ruled by the mentality of the victor and the vanquished. But the solution shouldn’t be more compromise and more fudging. It should be more consolidation of the institutions that enforce the law, to strengthen the wahra of the government.

When the southern states refused to abolish slavery, American President Abraham Lincoln assembled an army and marched down the south to impose the federal law and restore respect for the federal government.

Of the tens of thousands of Israeli soldiers used to evacuated Gaza, there’s probably hundreds who have families in the Gaza settlements. Yet they are obeying orders. The government chosen by the majority of the Israeli people decided that it is good for their national long term interest.

I wonder what it would sound like if I said: I wish Seniora were more like Sharon.