A Durable Ceasefire

Israel and Lebanon will hold talks soon to call for ceasefire. The move must be considered a welcome step by the international community. The loss of lives that the region has witnessed lately should not be condoned. The two countries have the right to live in peace with each other, without harming their own strategic interests. Israeli officials have confirmed that ceasefire will be held for as long as possible, and considered legitimate. The ceasefire should be considered durable, and groups as Hezbollah will be called to disarm. Hezbollah has caused considerable angst in the region, which is uncalled for. It must give up on its political designs and learn to live with others of different ethnic and religious hue. The whole political hoopla that it is prone to cause in the region becomes an embarrassment for all in the world. Most nations, like to live in peace and work productively, the same applies to the Middle-East. The region shouldn’t be left languishing in the hands of political groups that are irresponsible and carry arms in order to achieve political aims. Hezbollah, if it is serious as a political group then it must join mainstream politics rather than play kingmaker and political spoilsport, both at the same time. It must absolve itself of violence as a strategy, and accept peace and prosperity as general norms of living in the region. The killings that it has been involved in cannot be overlooked; and its arms bearing capacity must be reduced to negligible.

The government in Israel must be lauded for this generous gesture. The aimed ceasefire will save lives and further damage to property in Lebanon. Violence does not serve much purpose and cannot be considered a parcel of prudence under the circumstances. At the same time, Israel must be vigilant of the nefarious designs that Hezbollah has towards it, until it is disarmed, the government in Israel must not drop its guard down. Peace comes at a price, and government in Lebanon must assure that price to all the parties concerned. It cannot support Hezbollah, and at the same time be considered friendly to Israel. It must take sides and give up on terror as a tactic to achieve political aims. All politics must be used to make peace in the region and garner prosperity. Rather than giving in to infighting and nepotism, the region would be considered steadfast if it becomes corruption-free and wealthy in the long-run. Hezbollah must give up on arms and use political means to accomplish its political objectives of welfare etc. Israel should take this opportunity with all seriousness of effort and put in as much political work as required to make it a success. Lebanon should not be left at the throes of violence due to Hezbollah. The political groups as Hezbollah must be side-lined, and given a face-saver, if it considers disarmament as an astute political idea. It must give up on its existential battle with Israel and join mainstream political parties to run its country’s government through democratic participation.

Yuvraj Saharan

Capital Report