Attacks on UNIFIL

Heide Bronke Fulton

The United States strongly condemns the attack on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The attack wounded several French peacekeepers on patrol outside the southern port city of Sidon.

This is the second assault on UNIFIL peacekeepers in recent months. We call on the Government of Lebanon to conduct a full investigation into the incident and ensure the perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice.

The United States continues to support UNIFIL’s mandate to monitor the cessation of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon; accompany and support the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) as they conduct operations throughout southern Lebanon; assist the LAF to establish an area free of unauthorized armed personnel, materiel and weapons; and facilitate humanitarian access to civilian populations and the safe return of displaced persons.

Attack on UNIFIL

Mark C. Toner

Deputy Spokesman

Office of the Spokesman

Washington, DC

May 27, 2011

The United States condemns the attack on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Our condolences go out to the victims of this attack, Italian nationals serving the cause of peace and two Lebanese civilians. We call on the Government of Lebanon to conduct a full investigation into the circumstances of the attack and ensure the perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice.

The United States continues to support UNIFIL’s mandate to monitor the cessation of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon; accompany and support the Lebanese Armed Forces as they deploy throughout southern Lebanon; facilitate humanitarian access to civilian populations and the safe return of displaced persons; and assist the Lebanese Armed Forces to establish an area free of unauthorized armed personnel, materiel, and weapons.

Waltz With Bashir

A review by Zach Foster

Waltz With Bashir is a 2008 animated autobiographical film dealing with a veteran of the 1982 Lebanon War whose memories of the war have been repressed, and sets out to reconnect with army buddies to piece together what happened.  Though it is animated, the film is by no means a cartoon—it is rated R for war violence, language, and some nudity.  The film’s plot and story are absolutely gripping and horrifying—and true.  It also includes a well balanced sound track, from classical piano compositions to Israeli and American heavy metal.  The film is available to own on DVD and Blu Ray and is dubbed in English as well as in Hebrew with English subtitles.  It was nominated for Best Foreign Film Academy Award and won the Golden Glove for the same category.

This film is very important for Americans to better understand not only the 2006 Lebanon war but also the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  This film is a perfect example of the psychological effects and manifestations of post traumatic stress disorder, as well as other evils facing troops and veterans.  It shows how religious fanatical terrorists fight and operate, and shows clear and explicit examples of collateral damage caused when jihadists bring the war to residential zones.  It even illustrates a portrayal of domestic civilian disgust or cold indifference to wartime soldiers.  It also illustrates how veterans cope daily with the horrors of their past which will always be a part of their present.