LONDON -- This time Israel has surely gone too far.
Of course this small and courageous nation has a perfect right to defend itself against unprovoked attack, and to do so with the utmost vigor. Of course the murderous Hezbollah faction in southern Lebanon must be flushed out, as the leaders of Israel keep insisting, supported strongly by both U.S. President George W. Bush in Washington and British Prime Minister Tony Blair in London.
Furthermore, it is impossible not to admire the endless resilience and determination of the Israeli people, who have carved out a modern and dynamic nation from the unpromising soil of the land -- to which they believe fervently they have an ancient right -- have made the desert bloom, and have seen off countless enemies with decisive ferocity.