Hundreds of thousands in Beirut mass protest

Hundreds of thousands of pro-Hezbollah protesters converged today in Beirut's two main plazas in a massive demonstration against the government of Fouad Siniora. This is the second mass demonstration held by Hezbollah in the last few weeks.

Hezbollah is calling for the resignation of Fouad Siniora as the latter rejected their demand to increase their number of cabinet seats to a third of the total, giving them virtual veto power. Many fear that further steps will betaken against the government and violence may soon ensue.

Hezbollah is expected to declare further steps which will be taken against the government including road blockades and increasing mass protests.

Hezbollah is supported by Syria and Iran and many in the West fear that it has begun a move to take over Lebanon.

Peres addresses the Saban Forum

Former Israeli PM and minister, Shimon Peres, addressed Saban Forum today in Washington DC. Peres stated that the concept of peace in return for territories does not hold when dealing with Hamas whose goal is to establish an Islamic radical state over all of Israel. For Hamas, Peres argued, the destruction of Israel is more important than the establishment of a Palestinian state.

On the subject of Iran, Peres maintained that its apparent strength stems from the weakness of the international community and the disunity it presents when dealing with the rogue nation.

Regarding Syria Peres said that Israel's northern neighbour wants Israel to open doors for her in Washington and is not interested in a true negotiation. Syria hosts several headquarters of known terrorist organization such as Hamas and sends arms to Hezbollah.

A convention on the Holocaust in Teheran

A convention which will address the so called question of whether there was a Jewish Holocaust will begin in Teheran on Monday. Iran's President,Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has made several remarks regarding what he believes as the historic lie of the death of six million Jews at the hands of the Nazis during World War II. Iran attacks the Holocaust as it argues that it is the reason why Israel was established in the first place and why it is an illegitimate regime. Iran finances several anti-Jewish scholars who claim that the Holocaust was a lie. Iran has held several happenings on the subject including a caricature contest.
Several countries have denounced the Iranian convention as disgraceful.
This comes as Iran continues it progress towards a viable nuclear program and supports terrorist groups in Lebanon and the Palestinian Territories.

Iran is a threat not just to Israel

Israel's foreign minister, Tzipi Livni, indirectly responded to the main supposition in the Baker-Hamilton report which made a connection between the situation in Iraq and the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Tzipi spoke in the Saban Forum in Washington DC and stated that the problems in the Middle East today do not stem from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The situation today, Livni claimed, changes the way factions are made in the Middle East. Israel today stands side by side with moderate Arab nations and the conflict is with Islamic radicalism. Iran is not a threat just to Israel, Tzipi said, no moderate wants to see Iran or Hezbollah or Hamas, succeed. This is the constant Israeli position of emphasizing the threat of a nuclear Iran to all the region and the world and not just for Israel.

Tzipi was the keynote speaker in the forum which was established by Israeli billionaire, Haim Saban.

Solitary confinement for Benny Sela

Benny Sela, the serial rapist who escaped two weeks ago and was captured today will return to jail shortly and his conditions will worsen.

Sela will be held in solitary confinement and will be allowed only 1 hour daily exercise period in the jail yard and even that by himself.

His phone privileges and visiting periods will also be curtailed.

Sela was exhibited by his police captures on the local news editions in what many Israeli feel is a disrespectful and exhibitionist disregard for his human rights