How Did the Israeli War on Lebanon Start?
By Uri Avnery WHEN THE Israeli government decided, in the space of a few hours, to start the Second Lebanon War, it did not have any plan. When the Chief-of-Staff urged the cabinet to start the war, he did not submit any plan. This was disclosed this week by a military investigation committee. That is shocking. A plan is not an optional extra, something nice you can do without. A war without a plan is like a human body without a spinal column. Would anyone think of building a house without a plan? To put up a bridge? To produce a car? To hold a conference? After all, unlike a house, a bridge, a car or a conference, a war is supposed to kill people. Its very essence is killing and destroying. Almost in every case, to initiate a war is a crime. To start such a war without a plan and proper preparation is totally irresponsible – heaping crime upon crime. WHEN A STATE starts a war, the sequence is – in simplistic terms – as follows: 1- The government adopts a clear political aim. 2- The go
