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Home , Lebanese Canadians, Southern Lebanon

WAR: BATTLES Introduction A series of kidnappings and shootings Beirut were pulverized. More and more Focus of Israeli soldiers on the border with citizens were killed in what appeared to This summer, the Gaza and then on the border with be reckless attacks by the superior Middle East ex- Lebanon soon mushroomed into an all- Israeli forces. As the war dragged on, ploded once again into open warfare. out Israeli offensive designed to finally Israel sent up to 30 000 soldiers deep Kidnappings and shut down attacks from forces outside into Lebanon in search of Hezbollah rocket attacks Israel’s border. and a final victory. launched from In Gaza, Israeli forces entered the Surprisingly, Hezbollah proved to be Gaza and then on area, killed militants, and captured a formidable fighting force throughout the border with Lebanon exploded many leading Hamas legislators. The the campaign. Daily, they successfully into a fierce war economy and social life of Gaza was launched hundreds of rockets deep into that left thousands close to collapse. Since the election of Israel. On the battlefield, they proved to dead. Hamas to power in the Palestinian be well-trained, motivated, and well- soon found them- National Authority, most nations had equipped. Israeli forces had to fight the selves involved in refused financial support until Hamas longest war in the history of their war- that they had friends and rela- accepted the existence of Israel and scarred nation, but they did not come tives on all sides in pledged to use peaceful means to re- close to delivering a knock-out blow to the conflict. When solve longstanding issues. Progress was Hezbollah. Canadians started close until militants incited open con- In Israel, the response to the war was dying in Lebanon, flict with their rocket attacks on Israel one of heavy disappointment. There the Canadian government rushed and the capture of a young Israeli were calls for investigations and resig- to organize a soldier. nations. Many felt that the army’s seaborne evacua- While the conflict in Gaza worsened, failure to crush Hezbollah would only tion. This News in Hezbollah guerrillas struck from Leba- encourage Israel’s enemies to strike Review story inves- non, killing seven Israeli soldiers and again—and it would be sooner rather tigates the origins of the conflict and kidnapping two others. Israel now faced than later. looks at its impact attacks from two frontiers. This second In Lebanon, the country was divided. on . provocation resulted in a raging bom- Some saw Hezbollah as the victor and bardment of Hezbollah forces and the only force capable of protecting installations in Lebanon. Few expected them. Others complained loudly that Quote these border battles to become so Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel had “The management serious so quickly, but a new Israeli almost destroyed the country. Across of the war was a government was eager to show its the Middle East, Hezbollah was gener- disaster. It’s very mettle. At the outset of the war, much ally viewed as a successful and heroic bad news for Israel.” — Reuven of the Israeli population was united and fighting force. Pedatzur, Israeli supported the government in its cam- military analyst paign to crush Hezbollah once and for The Canadian Role ( Star, all. Debate in Canada focused on whether August 25, 2006) The 34-day war in southern Lebanon the should take resulted in massive destruction and sides in such a conflict or play the role casualties. Israel launched 2 500 air of a conciliator/mediator. The Harper raids and 700 different bombardments. government stood behind Israel, even Much of southern Lebanon and parts of during some of the heaviest pounding

CBC News in Review • September 2006 • Page 6 of civilian areas in Lebanon. Opposition framework for a peaceful end to the Definition critics demanded that Harper urge a fighting. Hamas (Islamic ceasefire and offer Canadian forces as While the early days of the ceasefire Resistance Move- ment) is a Palestin- part of a peacekeeping mission. Since saw violations, slowly the guns grew ian-based organiza- Hezbollah is considered a terrorist silent. New UN troops arrived to take tion that has both a organization by the Canadian govern- up positions near the Israel-Lebanon political and mili- ment, there is little opportunity for our border, and humanitarian aid began to tary wing. nation to take part in any dialogue with arrive to help the shell-shocked Leba- Hezbollah (party of this group. Harper felt Canada could not nese populace. The rebuilding process God) is also centred in Lebanon and afford to be involved in this peacekeep- was already in full swing in the battered also has a military ing operation because we were already towns of Lebanon. Hezbollah was re- and political wing. heavily engaged in Afghanistan and arming and providing cash to Lebanese It operates as a elsewhere. As well, the government was victims of the fighting state within a state busy organizing the largest evacuation Israel was fully prepared for and even in many areas of the country. Both of Canadian civilians from a war zone expected more conflict. Hezbollah had Hamas and in history. Supporters of Israel and not disarmed. It was unclear whether Hezbollah are Lebanon organized peaceful protests the weak and pledged to the across the nation. the arriving UN troops could guarantee destruction of any real security in the area. This was Israel. Ceasefire only a shaky truce, not a sign of lasting Finally, after over a month of war, with peace. The long, tragic history of Leba- Quote most casualties being civilians not non and the Middle East seemed to “You ask me, if I soldiers, the United Nations Security have simply added yet another bloody had known on July Council managed to get Israel and chapter. And the kidnapped soldiers? 11 . . . that the Hezbollah to accept Security Council None had been returned and little was operation would known about their condition or where- lead to such a war, Resolution 1701, which provided a would I do it? I abouts. say:␣ No, absolutely not.” — Hassan To Consider Nasrallah, leader of 1. Do you think the recent UN ceasefire will hold? Explain. Hezbollah, (To- ronto Star August 2. What role, if any, should Canada play in the region? Be specific. 27, 2006)

Quote “As long as there is Israel, there will be Hezbollah.” — Fadwa Shear, Lebanese citizen (Toronto Star, August 15, 2006)

CBC News in Review • September 2006 • Page 7 LEBANON WAR: ISRAEL BATTLES HEZBOLLAH Video Review

1. What did Lebanon’s future look like in 2005? Why? Answer the ques- tions in the spaces provided. 2. What action by Hezbollah launched the war in Lebanon?

Definition 3. What was Israel’s goal in the war? Hezbollah means party of God and is an Islamic political/ 4. What specific event hit home to Canadians? social and military organization based in Lebanon. Its 5. Which nations supported Hezbollah? military wing is independent of the ______and ______Lebanese govern- ment. Canada 6. Which nations clearly supported the Israeli campaign? considers Hezbollah to be a terrorist organization. 7. What criticism did Prime Minister Harper receive?

Quote 8. How many Canadians were in Lebanon at this time? ______“Hezbollah made this war and ruined 9. How did a Canadian peacekeeper die in the conflict? the whole country. We paid in blood, in young men.” — 10. What role did the UN play in resolving the conflict? Maggie Haddad, Lebanese Christian snackbar owner (National Post, August 29, 2006) 11. Who claimed to have “won” this brutal war?

Quote “When the rockets come to Keryat 12. In your view, who won and who lost the war? Explain. Shmona, you feel it in your stomach.” — Ilan Adar, Israeli paramedic (Toronto Star, August 7, 13. Do you think the peace will hold? Explain. 2006)

CBC News in Review • September 2006 • Page 8 LEBANON WAR: ISRAEL BATTLES HEZBOLLAH Lebanon: Profile

Lebanon was once considered one of border and occupied southern Lebanon the richest and most sophisticated lands until 2000. in the Middle East. However, decades With the end of the civil war in 1991, of civil war and the recent conflagration Lebanon began a process of rebuilding with Israel have shattered its economy, its shattered infrastructure. Progress destroyed important infrastructure, and was slow but obvious. Other nations made it an unlikely place to invest. began to re-invest in the region. Beirut was rebuilt and dreamed once again of A Difficult History reclaiming the title of “Paris of the Lebanon has a long history as a cross- Middle East.” roads for an array of cultures. Although After the assassination of the popular first settled by Phoenicians in 2700 politician and former prime minister BCE, this rich coastal Mediterranean Rafik Hariri in 2005, Sunni Muslims territory was ruled by a series of more and the Christian community joined powerful neighbours and invaders, forces and launched the “Cedar Revolu- including Assyrians, Persians, Romans, tion” to reform and modernize Leba- , Egyptians, Turks, and even the non. World pressure and the Cedar French. The Lebanese draw their roots Revolution forced Syria (widely sus- from a tangle of rich but sometimes pected of engineering the assassination competitive cultures. Independence in of Hariri) to remove the last of its 1943 brought economic growth but troops from Lebanon in 2005. Many little political stability. Lebanese looked forward to a brighter, Sadly, this progressive and rich more unified future. nation has found itself drawn into the In spite of a booming economy, the bitter struggles of the region, particu- increasing independence from foreign larly the struggle of Israel with its forces, and the growing acceptance of neighbours. democracy, most of this formidable The many Israeli conflicts have progress came to a shattering halt in the usually resulted in waves of Palestinian summer of 2006. Hezbollah decided to refugees entering Lebanon. Under the strike across the Israel-Lebanon border, Palestinian Liberation Organization killing seven Israeli soldiers, wounding (PLO), parts of southern Lebanon and eight, and then kidnapping two others. the capital, Beirut, became a state It was a gross miscalculation that within a state. When the PLO continued resulted in the Lebanese state absorbing their war against Israel from within the the full fury and might of superior borders of Lebanon, the Lebanese state Israeli armaments and forces. As UN was drawn directly into the struggle. forces came in from a dozen countries, By 1975, Christian and Palestinian Lebanon was once again occupied and forces were engaged in a brutal civil disunited. The tragedy of Middle East war. Israel regularly entered Lebanon politics has yet to release its deadly grip after attacks by the PLO. Finally, in on this tiny state. 1982, Israeli forces smashed across the

CBC News in Review • September 2006 • Page 9 Muslim 59.7% (Shi’a, Sunni, , Isma’ilite, Alawite, Nusayri), Christian 39% (Maronite Catholic, Greek Ortho- dox, Melkite Catholic, Armenian Or- thodox, Syrian Catholic, Armenian Catholic, Syrian Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Chaldean, Assyrian, Copt, Protestant), and other 1.3% Literacy: definition: age 15 and over and can read and write total population: 87.4% male: 93.1% female: 82.2% (2003 est.) Sources: CBC News Online and CIA World Factbook, 2006

Hotspot: Sheba’a Farms Lebanon and Region A tiny patch of land called Sheba’a Farms near the border with Syria is Statistics often cited by Hezbollah as one of the Location: The Middle East, bordering main reasons for continued aggression Israel and Syria against Israel. According to Hezbollah, Land Boundaries: 454 km, 79 km with this Israeli-occupied slice of territory is Israel and 375 km with Syria part of Lebanon, and while Israeli Coastline: 225 km forces are in control, it is reasonable for Area total: 10 452 sq. km, about half Hezbollah to continue fighting in order the size of Lake to reclaim it for Lebanon. Natural resources: Limestone, iron ore, However, this argument is quite salt, fresh water (a water-surplus state complex, and the UN has actually in a water-deficit region) awarded the land to Syria. To many Population: 3 874 050 (July 2006 est.) observers, possession of Sheba’a Farms Capital: Beirut is simply an excuse for continuing Currency: Pound aggression with Israel. Until ownership Major languages: , French, of this tiny territory is finally resolved, English, Armenian it is likely that unrest, if not outright Major religions: 17 Muslim and Chris- war, will continue in the region. tian sects are recognized. These include

Analysis 1. In your view what are the most promising and least promising features of Lebanon? 2. Do you think Lebanon will ever be at peace and prosperous? Explain. 3. How does the map above suggest that peace in Lebanon may always be difficult?

CBC News in Review • September 2006 • Page 10 LEBANON WAR: ISRAEL BATTLES HEZBOLLAH Major Figures

These are brief profiles of some of the forced out of Lebanon in 2005. He took major figures involved in the recent war over when Lebanon seemed more in Lebanon. In your view, which appear united than ever and was in the middle to be the most important? Why? of a great economic rebirth. The war changed all that. Frontline Figures The government of Lebanon is too These individuals are most directly weak to defend itself against Israeli involved in the conflict. But this does attacks or to control the actions of not mean they are the most important. Hezbollah, which operates as a state The tragedy of the Middle East is that within a state. Siniora stood helplessly there are often many unseen hands by as Israel and Hezbollah turned involved in the region’s bloody conflicts. Lebanon into a shattered graveyard. His calls to the UN to help were only Lebanon heeded after much destruction and Hassan Nasrallah (Secretary- death. It remains to be seen whether the General of Hezbollah and leader Lebanese government can regain con- of the armed militia) trol of its territory from Hezbollah and Nasrallah is a Shiite Muslim who has avoid future retaliation from Israel. been head of Hezbollah since 1992. He Siniora does not operate from a position took over from Sheik Abbas Musawi, of strength and may not be able to who was assassinated by the Israelis. continue in his post. He has spearheaded the building up of Hezbollah military forces in southern Israel Lebanon with the aid of Syria and Iran. Ehud Olmert (Prime Minister of He has also directed the increasing role of Israel) Hezbollah in the government of Lebanon. After the disastrous stroke that ended This fiery leader became more fa- the career of Ariel Sharon, Olmert took mous after the conflict with Israel over the leadership of the fledgling because his militia defied the region’s Kadima party first organized by Sharon. greatest military power and appeared to He was the first Israeli leader not to fight it to a draw. Even on the last day have had a long military career. Olmert of the war, Hezbollah managed to send led the party to a narrow victory in the 200 rockets into Israeli territory. Both March 2006 Israeli elections. He was a in Lebanon and throughout much of the new face and was soon tested. Muslim world, Nasrallah is seen as a Very early in his new mandate, tough, capable, heroic figure. He has Olmert faced the challenges of Hamas clearly indicated that it is not time to in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. disarm Hezbollah, in spite of the UN and Most Israelis supported his hardline Israeli demands. Fearing assassination by response but were surprised that a clear- Israel, Nasrallah remains in hiding. cut victory did not result. Soon the initial support turned to criticism. Fouad Siniora (Prime Minister of Most Israelis saw the war as a failure Lebanon) because it did not destroy Nasrallah and Siniora is a Sunni Muslim who became Hezbollah nor did it win the release of prime minister after Syrian troops were the soldiers whose kidnapping was the

CBC News in Review • September 2006 • Page 11 direct cause of the war. Thus, Olmert opponent and a paramilitary organiza- faced calls for his resignation and that tion. Generally supported by powers in of many in his cabinet. He promised an the West, Abbas struggles to maintain inquiry into the conduct of the war but unity throughout the Palestinian Au- refused to give it the power to fire thority. Before the recent war, it ap- officials. Many Israelis worried that the peared that progress was being made in lacklustre results would lead to yet resolving border issues with Israel and more conflict—and sooner. In the short- rebuilding the shattered Palestinian term, the war had weakened the posi- economy. tion of the new prime minister of Israel. Ismail Haniyeh (Palestinian Ariel Sharon (former prime Prime Minister) minister of Israel) A long-time Hamas activist, Haniyeh Although hit by a massive stroke in has narrowly escaped death several January 2006 and still near death in a times. In January 2006, he led Hamas’s deep coma, this soldier-politician still political wing to a stunning victory in casts a large shadow over contemporary the Palestinian elections. He is seen as a Israel. It was as a general that Sharon moderate but has not yet been able to led Israeli forces into Lebanon in 1982 bring unity to the different Palestinian to crush the PLO and force Yasser political bodies. The international Arafat out of the country. He enjoyed a community cut off aid money when long political career before becoming Hamas did not clearly indicate it would prime minister in 2001. He prevailed get rid of its weapons and renounce war over Israeli hardliners to create new with Israel. In the recent conflict, Israel secure borders for Israel. In 2005 has captured dozens of Hamas leaders, Sharon ordered the removal of Israeli hoping to work an exchange for the settlements from Gaza. return of the captured Israeli soldier. Later, he created a new political Haniyeh went into hiding during the party, Kadima, to continue his new path recent conflict. to peace. His stroke removed one of the most forceful figures in Israeli political Khaled Mashaal, (leader of life from the scene. Hamas in Syria) He was nick-named “the Bulldozer” Although he is one of the leaders of for his forceful, bullying style of leader- Hamas, a Palestinian political and ship, and some believe that Hezbollah military organization, Mashaal lives in would never have dared to strike Israel Syria. He is under a death threat from with Sharon as leader. Israel for ordering attacks on Israel. He is suspected of launching the recent Palestine and Gaza conflict by ordering the kidnapping of Mahmoud Abbas (Palestinian an Israeli soldier. It is unclear how President) much control he actually exerts on the Abbas was a close associate of former situation in Gaza. His influence on PLO leader, . Upon Ismail Haniyeh is unclear as well. Arafat’s death, Abbas became leader of the PLO and won an overwhelming United Nations electoral victory in the presidential Koffi Annan (Secretary-General) elections in January 2005. Although He has struggled for years through president, he has found himself weak- crisis after crisis to bring the authority ened by the rise of Hamas as a political

CBC News in Review • September 2006 • Page 12 of the UN to resolve conflicts in the The recent success of Hezbollah was Middle East and Africa. His eloquence largely due to training and equipment appears to be no match for the power provided by Iran. Israel even accused politics of nations such as the United Iran of sending in experts to fire some States, who have shown little real of the rockets during the recent war. For confidence in him or the organization. some observers, the war was a chance He managed to get the Security Council for Iran to flex its muscles as a leading to finally agree to Resolution 1701, state in the region. For others, the war which brought a ceasefire to the area. It took the focus off Iran’s refusal to halt remains to be seen whether Annan can its nuclear program at a time when the lead the UN to bring lasting peace to UN was closing in. the region. Ahmadinejad is a dedicated opponent of the United States and Israel and has Behind the Scenes been especially provocative in leading Bashar Al-Assad (President of Muslim public opinion to believe that Syria) the Holocaust never happened. He has The president of Syria is generally declared himself and his country as considered to be a weak figure, unlike implacable foes of Israel and has his powerful father, Hafez al-Assad, warned that if Israel were to attack who died in 2000. He is more intellec- Iran’s nuclear facilities, Iran would tual than his father, and it appeared that wipe out Tel Aviv. Ahmadinejad is his rule might lead to reform and mod- perhaps the most volatile and powerful ernization. He is a close supporter of of the current leaders in the region. Hassan Nasrallah and has been accused of allowing Syria to serve as a base for George Bush (President of the insurgents entering Iraq. United States) Well into his second term of office, (Presi- Bush is very unpopular in his own dent of Iran) country, where support for the war in This fiery leader seems to delight in Iraq is waning. He has led the U.S. enraging authorities in the West and at through the difficult and costly years of the UN. He has continually fought to the “War on Terror.” He is a stalwart develop nuclear power for his oil-rich defender of Israel. The United States state and has frustrated UN efforts to supplies much of Israel’s weaponry and curb Iran’s nuclear programs. His works closely with Israeli intelligence support for groups such as Hamas and agencies. Many observers felt that the Hezbollah has drawn Iran into the United States did not restrain Israel whole Palestinian conflict. His govern- during the recent conflict because it too ment supports both Hamas and hoped that Hezbollah would be de- Hezbollah, financially, politically, and stroyed, and its supporters, Syria and militarily. Iran, humiliated.

Analysis 1. Rank the leaders noted above in order from most to least powerful.

2. Which leaders do you most/least admire?

3. Which leaders do you feel most need to meet and negotiate in order to end the crisis in Lebanon?

CBC News in Review • September 2006 • Page 13 LEBANON WAR: ISRAEL BATTLES HEZBOLLAH Building Peace: The UN

The United Nations has a long and, at observers was Canadian Major Paeta Did you know . . . times, tragic involvement in the diffi- Hess-von Kruedner. He was killed As of September 4, cult and dangerous affairs of the war- when an Israeli missile hit his UN post 2006, there had been 2 272 deaths torn state of Lebanon. Even before the during the conflict. associated with UN birth of the UN in 1945, its predecessor, peacekeeping the failed League of Nations, had The Current Crisis missions since 1948. played a central role in the life of the The United Nations faced several issues This has included Lebanese state. in the terrible summer war. The first 113 Canadians. was how to bring a stop to the fighting. Before the Crisis The second was the humanitarian The UN had helped oversee the re- concern as Lebanon was mercilessly Did you know . . . moval of Israeli troops and Syrian pounded during the 34-day campaign. The UN estimates that 1 813 Leba- troops from Lebanon. It was also man- The infrastructure was hammered, nese civilians died dated to guarantee the safety of the nearly a million refugees were on the in the war—a third borders and to disarm Hezbollah. Both move, and more and more innocent of them children. objectives were total failures. civilians on both sides of the Israel- Lebanon border were dying. United UNIFIL Nations troops and facilities were also Long before the recent war, there was a hit during the battles. 2 000-strong UN presence in Lebanon. Heavily battered Lebanon and mem- Most of these forces were posted in bers of the continually southern Lebanon, near the border with called for UN intervention and an end Israel. These forces belonged to the to the fighting. The Security Council United Nations Interim Force in Leba- met several times but had trouble non (UNIFIL), established in 1978 to coming to an agreement. Its members confirm the withdrawal of Israeli troops. had been working to resolve problems Israel entered southern Lebanon again with North Korea and Iran and only in 1982 after attacks launched by Pales- slowly brought their full focus to the tinians from Lebanese soil and stayed worsening conditions in Lebanon. until 2000. UNIFIL was a helpless Perhaps the fact that 300 earlier observer and did little other than try to resolutions designed to bring peace, protect the civilian population. troop withdrawals, and ceasefires had Most of these UN troops were lightly already demonstrated the near futility of armed military observers whose role trying to solve problems in the Middle was to report violations of the earlier East and caused diplomats to be slow to ceasefire along the Israel-Lebanon try something new. Finally, the Security border. Many people believe that this Council hammered out Security Coun- force was too weak to be effective and cil Resolution 1701, which provided a played no role in trying to stop framework for a ceasefire in this latest Hezbollah attacks on Israel. During the Middle East war. recent war, UNIFIL troops came under fire themselves. One of these military

CBC News in Review • September 2006 • Page 14 Resolving the Crisis – Resolution more muscular than previous forces. Quote 1701 • All parties will seek to find a lasting “To the Israelis at The Security Council resolution pro- least, UNIFIL—the solution to the problems of the region. United Nations vided these central points: Interim Force in • Immediate and full cessation of hos- An Uneasy Future Lebanon—is a tilities between Israel and Hezbollah Few believe that the new UN peace- diplomatic joke and • The removal of the Israeli air and sea keeping force can bring peace and a military irrel- evance. Tragically, blockade of Lebanon. security to the region. It is unclear if the new expanded • Calls on the international community Hezbollah will ever be disarmed and it UN peacekeeping to take immediate steps to extend its is not known who will actually ensure force is unlikely to financial and humanitarian assistance that it is done. Israel continues to re- offer much new. to the and assist in serve the right to strike anywhere in More tragically, it is Lebanon if attacks are launched against bound to fail.” — the rebuilding of the nation. Israel. Douglas Davis, • The disarmament of Hezbollah and As UN troops slowly filtered into the former senior the end of weapons entering Lebanon editor of The battle zone, Israeli forces left slowly other than for the official Lebanese Jerusalem Post too. As of September 2006, the block- armed forces. (National Post, ade was still in effect, Israeli troops August 29, 2006) • The Lebanese government will send were still in large parts of Lebanon, and its own 15 000-member force to Hezbollah had not been disarmed. secure the border with Israel. While there may some temporary Quote • The dispatch of a new peacekeeping breathing room, there is little cause for “The troops are not force of 15 000. This will be spear- celebration. going there to headed by France and Italy and be disarm Hezbollah. Let’s be clear about that.” — Kofi Analysis Annan (Toronto 1. What role has the UN played in Lebanon in the past? Star, August 26, 2006)

2. How effective has the UN been?

3. In your view, how effective is Resolution 1701 likely to be? Explain fully.

CBC News in Review • September 2006 • Page 15 LEBANON WAR: ISRAEL BATTLES HEZBOLLAH The Lebanese-Canadians

As conflict in the Middle East exploded Hezbollah positions whether they were once again, most Canadians felt it was in cities and towns or not. another tragic war in a battle-scarred The bombardment increased as region far from Canadian shores. How- sometimes hundreds of Hezbollah ever, many Canadians were shocked to missiles hit Israel daily. Most of the find out that the war very quickly casualties in this summer war were touched the lives of many of their innocent Israeli and Lebanese civilians. fellow citizens. Visiting Canadians soon found them- Canada has about 250 000 Canadians selves in the middle of a battlefield. of Lebanese descent, most of whom live in the province of . Many ar- Death for a Family rived during the terrible years of the The scale and horror of the war first hit from 1979 to 1991. home for many Canadians on July 16, They have raised families, attended 2006, when they learned of the deaths schools, worked, and built up busi- of seven members of a Canadian family nesses. In short, like so many immi- from Montreal who were visiting grants from afar, they have become a relatives. They were vacationing in the successful community in the Canadian village of in southern Lebanon mosaic. when the war began. They were unable Not surprisingly, they are also proud to leave the area quickly enough, and of their Lebanese roots. They still have Israel bombs hit the house in which relatives in Lebanon. Some have busi- they were staying. Seven members of ness connections. For many reasons, the family, including four children, they return on visits. Often families were killed. Israel later acknowledged send their children back to rekindle carrying out the attack and apologized connections with family, to practise to . language skills, and to maintain a sense of their identity. Evacuation Since the end of the civil war, and the As the bombing continued and even withdrawal of Israeli and Syrian troops, intensified, many nations, including Lebanon has witnessed unprecedented Canada, soon found their embassies and growth and recovery. For many Leba- consulates besieged with calls for help. nese-Canadians, the trip back to Leba- Visiting citizens were trapped. The non in the summer of 2006 promised to airports were closed due to Israeli be pleasant and happy. Families re- bombing. Roads and bridges were united and visited the beaches and either destroyed or targeted during the mountaintops of a very beautiful coun- war. Many people were afraid and try. isolated. They called upon their govern- When Hezbollah attacked, killed, and ments for help. kidnapped Israeli soldiers, the pleasant When Canada began to respond, it summer was swept away in war and was discovered that the task was going bombardment. Israeli forces immedi- to be greater than anyone had consid- ately began a furious pounding of ered. At the start of the fighting, there

CBC News in Review • September 2006 • Page 16 were an estimated 50 000 Canadians in million. By the end of the conflict, an Quote Lebanon, making them one of the estimated 13 000 Canadians had left. “If the war erupts largest foreign communities in again, where shall we go? Where can I thecountry. Although only a small A New Problem? take my children number of these were actually visiting, The evacuation of so many Canadians and hide? I have to the rest had bona fide Canadian pass- from a foreign country sharpened give them a better ports and were looking to Canada for Canadians’ focus on the obligations that future than we help. Many of these Lebanese-Canadi- Canada might have to dual-passport were given.” — ans had first left Lebanon during the Grace Habibz, citizens in other countries. For instance, Lebanese Christian dark days of the civil war and had there are one million Canadians living who has applied to moved to Canada and taken up citizen- in California. What might happen if a immigrate to ship. As the fighting eased and Lebanon large-scale earthquake hit the state? Just Canada (National began to rebuild, they had returned to how much responsibility would Canada Post, August 29, their birthplace. Now these Canadians have to citizens who have lived for a 2006) wanted to return to their second home. long time in the United States? There The chaos surrounding the evacuation are from 200 000 to 300 000 Canadians was, perhaps, understandable. No one living in Hong Kong. If war or a bird- expected this war. Lebanese transport flu epidemic created a human crisis, and communications systems were what should Canada do? Where does almost destroyed. Canada scrambled to Canada’s responsibility end with Cana- charter ships to bring its citizens out of dians of dual citiznship? the war zone. Other nations were des- These problems are not unique to perately removing their citizens too. Canada. More and more countries have In the past, the Canadian government adopted a dual-citizenship system. In a had sometimes charged Canadians for shrinking but increasingly violence- their removal from foreign soil, but this plagued world, it is likely that dual- time the Harper government decided to citizenship issues will loom larger in remove everyone for free. The total cost the years ahead. of this rescue operation may rise to $50-

Inquiry 1. How many Lebanese-Canadians appear to have moved back to Lebanon?

2. Why did Canada need to evacuate so many Canadians from Lebanon?

3. Why is dual citizenship a growing concern for many governments in the world?

4. In your view who should pay to evacuate Canadians who are living abroad? Explain.

CBC News in Review • September 2006 • Page 17 LEBANON WAR: ISRAEL BATTLES HEZBOLLAH Activity: Debate

Should Canada allow dual citizenship? Did you know . . . One of the startling discoveries of the recent conflict in Lebanon was the fact One-third of Cana- that nearly 50 000 Canadians were living in Lebanon. In fact, the majority of dians—11.5 mil- these people had lived there for some time but had retained their Canadian lion—hold pass- passports. Those 50 000 make up abuot 20 per cent of the total number of ports, and in 2005- Lebanese people who have become Canadian citizens. This was surprising since 06 three million the United States only had 25 000 citizens living there. were issued. The number is increas- This is not an isolated situation in Canada. Some critics have termed these dual- ing every year. citizenship people as “Canadians of convenience.” Since the government spent millions bringing them out of war-torn areas and then prepared to offer them health care and other public services, some argued that these people should pay Quote taxes on their citizenship not their residency. It is a volatile and complex issue, “More than half a and the government of Canada has promised to review the situation. million people in Canada hold two or Since 1977, Canada has allowed dual citizenship. No longer does one have to more passports, renounce their original citizenship when becoming a Canadian. However, it is according to the expected that dual-citizenship Canadians will look to their other governments if 2001 census. More living there and not in Canada. than half of them are European, with Working with a partner, consider the issue of dual citizenship and outline what dual British-Canadi- you see as the major benefits and drawbacks. What changes, if any, would you ans alone account- make to the regulations? ing for 90 000. Canadian citizens, Extension whether dual or If you feel that your ideas are worthy, consider sending them to the Prime not, are abroad in Minister of Canada, large numbers, with 250 000 living By e-mail to: [email protected] in Hong Kong, while close to a By mail: million reside in the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada U.S. What if they all 80 Wellington Street needed to get out Ottawa in a hurry?” — K1A 0A2 Luiza Ch. Savage (Maclean’s, August By fax: 613-941-6900 7, 2006)

CBC News in Review • September 2006 • Page 18