As reported by the BBC (https://shorturl.at/gepgq), “Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has presented US President Donald Trump with a golden pager while visiting Washington DC. Netanyahu’s office said the pager represented “a turning point in the war” when Israel carried out a deadly operation against Hezbollah in September 2024. In the operation, Israel targeted pagers used by members of the Iran-backed militant group, causing them to explode. Dozens of people were killed and thousands injured in the attacks. Israel said it was tailored to target only Hezbollah members, but civilians were among the victims, Lebanese officials said” .
As a reminder, the massive pager attack mentioned above, which occurred on the 18th od September 2024, across Lebanon (and Syria), injured over 2,931 Hezbollah members and killed 37, including at least four civilians. Among the latter, there were sadly two children and two healthcare providers (https://shorturl.at/OeTRw).
Of note, the Ambassador of Iran in Lebanon was also badly injured in his eye and later said he was honoured, as per an older post shown below.
Regardless of being a militia member or a civilian, the injuries were simply horrible. How could they not be when people lost their eyes, hands, and even some their genital parts?
Whether we endorse the mission and practices of the Hezbollah or not (Bambi clearly does not), one cannot remain insensitive to the individual suffering of its members? First, they had their walkie talkie exploding. Then, their pagers.
So what can Bambi say about the civilians who died, the two children and the two adults? Can you imagine one drop of the ocean of sorrow of their loved ones?
Yes, this act of war was indeed a turning point in the fight between Hezbollah-Israel. Mr. Netanyahu is right about it. However, his gift to Mr. Trump is both heartless and far from being classy. Was it necessary?
Most importantly, how is this Israeli politician’s behaviour different from the odd and awful “gift bags” offered by Hamas to the innocent Israeli hostages upon their release (https://shorturl.at/BQzsI)?
Enough of dehumanization of others, even of enemies. Enough of eye for eye and tooth for tooth? What about respect and love for a change? And what about peace?
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Peace doesn’t come with apparently nice or kind words. It come with actions. The best actions towards peace are targeted actions and the worst thing towards peace is deceptive words that look nice but works against real actions for peace.
DEAREST BAMBI …. I WILL NEVER RIDICULE YOUR HEART , OR INTENT . WE RESPECT YOU .
WHILE I UNDERSTAND YOUR FEELINGS . I FEAR THAT TO DEBATE , OR ATTEMPT TO WEIGH
OR BALANCE THE EVENTS OF OCT 7 , ALL THAT SURROUNDS , OR FOLLOW IT …. IS FOR
ANOTHER DAY . A DAY WHEN HISTORIES , WRONGS & RIGHTS MAY BE BALANCED
AGAINST ONE ANOTHER .
WE KNOW YOUR HEART GOOD LADY . Russ
Bambi totally agrees with you Russ about October 7. One the same page of shared humanity. Bambi’s post is strictly about the gift with bad taste or that may look like those who are into dates like October 7 (not even on the act of war itself). This being said, many thanks for your kind words and for enriching her blog with your thoughtful and wise insights. Much love to you across the miles.
What was the Ambassador of Iran in Lebanon doing with a Hezbollah pager in his pocket?
What a great question indeed!!
INDEED ! I LOOK FORWARD TO A DAY THOSE THOUSANDS OF LOGICALLY BASED AND
WELL FOUNDED QUESTIONS FIND A HOME . NONE HOWEVER , WILL EVER , BE JUSTIFIED !