For those in the dark, yesterday evening the state of Israel has declared war on the country of Lebanon. This is not the first time that hostile action has been taken against Lebanon, however it does mean that 6 years of peace in the country have been brought to a devastating halt. Today we (the Lebanese) were reminded of our country 20 years ago, a recent history we’re trying to heal from struggling every day to building a better future. Some would not have this. Some will not allow this.

The unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organised group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons.

It’s an interesting word. It’s also a word which I have been made to detest because of it’s hypocritical misuse by those that benefit from it’s misuse. Whenever that word is used the instant image most people conjure up in their heads is an Arab. I conjure up a completely different image in my mind. My terrorists are well dressed politicians and ‘security ministers’ living on stolen land being paid by other well dressed politicians and industry leaders the world over (who by association are terrorists themselves), I’m not going to drag the who’s because they know who they are.

Who are the terrorists flying over Lebanon readying the missiles to destroy the power stations? Ready to take out all the telephone lines. Ready to destroy all the infrastructure that thousands of people have worked so hard to build from the ground up?

I work in the construction industry. I’ve been working on one particular building for over 2.5 years now but the time it’s complete over 4 years will have passed since this project began; it takes 4 seconds to demolish a building, 4 seconds to destroy bridges, and a few seconds to snuff out countless lives. These are acts of terrorism. The fear of millions (yes we are legion) of Lebanese the world over afraid of returning back to their countries. Lebanon has been the stomping ground of other nations in the region.

To the Israeli people, if you’re glad your government has been to war then feel ashamed of yourselves. Aggression only breeds aggression, and your government has shown this aplenty in the 60 years it’s been in power. Your presence has done nothing but bring heart ache and sorrow to a region and a generation of people that have learnt to hate EVERYTHING you represent, because of what you do and how you do it.

It was as if your government was waiting for a reason to bring the country 30 years back. History repeats itself once again. Stupid provocation was there, however the response showed a complete and IMMENSE amount of stupidity. You think this will keep you safe? By destroying what others have rebuilt since the last time you YOURSELVES destroyed it? You gain nothing here but more blood on your hands and more contempt for what you are. You are being led by some UGLY human beings (calling them anything else would be disrespectful, after all only human beings can be so vile to one another), whom you voted and chose to represent you.

If you ever harboured thoughts that peace could ever be reached in the Middle East, let me be the first to wipe those ideas completely from your mind. Today’s actions proved to the world that peace in the Middle East will never be achieved except in one of two ways:

1. Either the Israelis leave the region, or
2. All the Arabs are annihilated

I’m a natural born optimist but even I couldn’t keep my head up today, I’ve broken down into tears several times today. I feel frustrated, angry, completely helpless and have this sorrow inside me that I know many people all over the world share with me and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone else. War is a fucking ugly thing. For those that have never experienced it, be thankful for that fact.

It’s even more hard when you know your side is completely powerless to counter these acts in any way. Lebanon is a poor country. It’s a country in massive debt, controlled by outside forces that refuse to let it float above water. Every time the people struggle and fight their way for some air we’re pushed back down with the knowledge that if we ever thought of going back up there’s a hammer waiting to repeat it’s action.

The Lebanese people have been here before. We have fought this war before. The wounds have not yet healed. One thing that the Lebanese people have shown is just how strong of mind and will they actually are. Every time you blow things up they get built again. All that the state of Israel has done is shown it’s criminal behaviour once more.