Mideast peace process at risk

Israel's war against the Iranian-backed Hizbollah movement in Lebanon is a major setback to the process of peace in the Middle East.

As attacks increase in scope and violence, it is difficult to see how the vision of Mideast peace can be restored in the foreseeable future. The great risk in Israel's use of armed force in Lebanon is difficult to exaggerate.

The upwardly spiraling violence, outrage by Israel's neighbors and partners in the former peace process, and promises of retaliation by Hizbollah all seem to bode poorly for peace.

The tragedy of this war, like all wars, is the civilian casualties. Television viewers in Thailand and around the world were horrified yesterday by a news clipping in which an Israeli helicopter blew up an ambulance, killing six civilians inside.

The Lebanese weren't the only ones sickened and infuriated when they saw the dramatic news coverage of this incident.

The images were powerful -- a mother holding her dead baby, a child with his face torn off sitting on his father's lap. Israel's claim that a member of Hizbollah was in the ambulance will hardly help its cause.

One of the reasons for the violence is Israel's June election. Prime Minister Shimon Peres, who also is a peace process architect, faces strong opposition from the right-wing Likud Party.

Although the campaign is complicated, the basic issue is simply about support for the peace process and opposition to it.

Likud has a strong following for its policy of jettisoning talks with Israel's Mideast neighbors and returning to confrontation with the Arabs.

There is little doubt Mr. Peres will lose the election if voters see him as weak in the face of terrorism.

Fighting for peace is usually a bad idea. Israel is risking the chance for a Mideast agreement by its attacks in Lebanon. It also is gambling that the risk is worth the effort.

We can only hope Israel will soon return to its efforts to gain peace in the Middle East. Extended violence in Lebanon is unlikely to serve Israel's long-term interests well.

-- The Bangkok Post