By Charlie van Gelderen THE turmoil which has been endemic in since Syrian forces entered that country at the invitation of sections of the Christian community in 1976 to 'protect' them from Muslim extremists and the Palestinians, is now threatening to boil over into full scale war between Syria and Israel.
Although both Israel Organisation than they do and the US gave grudging to Israel'. support to the Syrian inva Since the 1976 Arabsion, the israel war. Israelis reight to invade Lebanons never up its have kept up a series of raids ILLO The United States and Lebanese territory, while the Zionists were quite still holding to the oreDarcu to stand by and Golan heights which they allow Syrian seized from Syria. Hafez do some of their dirty work for them, but they were Attack well aware inal unis move was deeply resented by the Thousands of people, working people mainly civilians, have died Lebanon and the Palesti- in Israeli air, sea and land nians. allacks wnal the general strike in Zionists describe as Beirut to protest against TOrISL Callios and the Syrian invasion was strongholds in Lebanon. the Mosien districts of te cent effective in One of the most brutal attacks came Easter city. Sunday when Haddad's Israel used the Syrian Israeli-supported LATISmove as a pretext for ak- tian militia shelled the port ing over southern Leb- of Sidon, a predominantly Muslim and Palestinian cianon where it established a 'Christian enclave' The were the command of the Phalangist Major Saad and cinemas on the main Haddad The Phalangists streets. took nenT Mande At the same time, Franco's fascists. fighter bombers were strafing Palestinian Protect positions live miles across the Lebanese border in Despite Israel's claim were called 'prethat its actions were prin- emptive' strikes, having by cipally motivated to pro- now completely abandontect the Christians, not all Led the DIcicxl illal they Lebanese were 'retaliatory raids'. anxious for this 'protec- The were tion' The military cor- Lebanese villages, and LOWIIS refugee and respondent the camps, not PLO bases. Jerusalem Post reported While the Syrian entry on 11 May that there 'are into Lebanon in 1976 had sectors of the Christian the mixed blessing of US imperialism and its Israeli community who teel closer the Syrians and cop, the situation has since Palestine Liberation changed. Sidon LEBANON Nobatiyet Ett Tahia.
Arnaoun® •Khiam JoDeir Mimas Taibe. or SYRIA OCCUPIED 1 SRAEL 'We do not want wal Syria, declared Menachim Begin April, 'but will allow the svrians to take over Lebanon and nintate me cousuais.
of Begin's military men were more honest: 'We are on the offensive,' Brigadier General Yaakov Even told the New York Times on 18 April. 'We are the aggressors.
are penetrating the so-called border of the so-called sovereign state of Lebanon, and we go afte them wherever they hide.' Begin's latest outburst of intransigence is over the siting OI Russian-built SAM-6 ground-to-air missiles in Lebanon. These weapons will make for Soyplans to fly over Lebanese LeTalones. something the Israelis regard as their godgiven right.
Polls Begin is in a mood for He has an election war.
and until recently seemed certain of defeat the polls. Now, by stoking the war embers, his stock rising. 'Fortress Israel' is in danger; ranks must be closed in its defence.
While would undoubted v like to see Syria weakened and its Israeli-Egyptian allies strengthened, it is not yet ready for a full-scale war HIde Hast.
Arab-Syrian cannot war be confined the two countries.
Already Iraq has announced that despite its differences with Damascus would fight alongside neighbouring Arabs against the Zionist foe. Libyan Gadaffi has pledged his country's resources to defeat Israeli aggression.
Defuse The Egyptian liasses too, will not stand idly by despite Sadat's friendship ing its best to temporarily •enuse une sulanod. too full of imponderables and could lead to a direct confrontation the Soviet Union.
Whether will be able to restrain the impetuous Begin another matter. Even the best trained dog has been known lo tulll savarc.
He could take the plunge knowing full well that US imperialist terests dare not let him go down defeat.
The labour movement should come out _clearly on the side of Syria and Lebanor and against US-Israeli aggression. The streets of Beirut are filled with gunfire again