But in fact, the ?Zionists? he refers to are part of a functioning democracy. Israel is the only one in the Middle East. And its democracy is what makes it such a strong country.
On Oct. 26, Israel?s parliament voted to close the country?s settlements in the disputed Gaza Strip and withdraw troops, leaving the entire stretch of land in the hands of 1.3 million Palestinians. This decision was difficult; some settlers would rather fight than move. But that?s how things are done in democracies -- the government is run by the people, for the people, and decisions are made by majority rule with the consent of the governed.
Further north, Lebanon is trying to accomplish the same thing. For years, it?s been unofficially occupied by Syria, a country that deserves inclusion in the ?Axis of Evil.? But some are getting fed up with that de facto domination.
?I want Lebanon to be democratic, not only by respecting free speech, human rights and elections, but also respecting international law and acting as part of the international community,? former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri said as he resigned Oct. 20. Hariri says he won?t participate in forming another government under President Emile Lahoud, whose term was recently extended under pressure from Syria.
Lebanon has a round of elections coming up next spring, and Syrian dictator Basher Assad was reportedly nervous that Lahoud might lose power. But Assad might have overreached -- his move might break the Syrian grip on Lebanon rather than maintain it.
The United Nations Security Council has already passed Resolution 1559, demanding Syria pull its troops out of Lebanon, allow an unhindered presidential election and stop interfering in Lebanese politics. The measure was co-sponsored by the United States and France. So much for our supposed ?going it alone? foreign policy. It?ll be interesting to see if Syria?s dictator will allow the spread of democracy to the very doorstep of his country.
No matter how aggressive the murderous terrorists are in coming months, they?re acting up because they realize their time is limited. Freedom is on the march. Afghanistan just held successful elections. Iraqis will vote in January. In the end, democracy -- the will of the people -- will prove especially dangerous to those who wish to rule by decree or establish a new caliphate.