Israel’s strike on Saturday against Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was a justified defensive act against an enemy backed by Iran and bent on the Jewish state’s destruction. It is also a lesson for the West in how to deter an enemy using military force instead of hopeless pleading for restraint and “de-escalation”.
Israel has exhibited remarkable restraint for almost a year in response to Hezbollah’s thousands of rocket and missile attacks that have made the country’s north uninhabitable. That restraint ended last month, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pointed out it would. Israel has changed its strategy from tit-for-tat responses to a pre-emptive campaign to degrade Hezbollah’s missile stores, launchers and military leadership. These are all justified targets in war. It is tragic when civilians are also killed, but that is more Hezbollah’s fault. Nasrallah, who knew he was a marked man, located his hide-out under residential buildings.
Israel’s campaign has been a remarkable display of intelligence, technological skill and above all political will. The sabotage of Hezbollah’s pagers and walkie-talkies wounded or killed scores of fighters. The targeted bombings against Hezbollah’s terror masters showed how much Israeli intelligence has penetrated its communications. Israel continued to bomb Hezbollah targets over the weekend, including military commanders.
Israel has done this despite the contrary advice of its allies in the US, Europe and elsewhere. “West left powerless as Israel claims its biggest victory yet against Hezbollah,” the BBC declared in a news alert on Saturday. Isn’t Israel part of the West? It eliminated a terrorist whose killers are responsible for the deaths of thousands of Americans and Europeans.
Israel’s government notably ignored the calls by US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and others for a 21-day ceasefire.
Israel would have loved a ceasefire that allowed its 60,000 displaced citizens to return to their homes in the north. But Hezbollah had no such intentions.
The calls for ceasefire mentioned Lebanon and Israel. Yet Lebanon has no functioning government to speak of, certainly not one that could give orders to Nasrallah. The statements did not mention Hezbollah or its minders in Tehran. Israel is not obliged to follow the dictates of Western politicians and pundits who counsel de-escalation from the safety of their capitals.
Biden had the good political sense to call Nasrallah’s death a “measure of justice”. But he couldn’t resist another plea for his failing diplomacy, through the UN of all anti-Semitic places, to negotiate a ceasefire. A ceasefire is far more likely with Hezbollah and Iran on defence than it was before this month.
No victory is permanent in the Middle East, and Iran’s proxy network will strike back. The Houthis fired a missile at Israel from Yemen on Saturday. But by degrading Iran’s frontline proxy in Lebanon, Israel has substantially weakened its enemies.
Instead of begging for restraint, the US could capitalise on Israel’s gains by taking out Houthi sites and leaders after their next attack on US shipping.
Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has pledged revenge. But that is what he also said after the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in July. Iran’s April missile assault against Israel failed with the West’s help.
Perhaps the ayatollah fears what Israel could do in response. He can’t feel personally secure, even in Tehran, after Israel’s demonstration of military and intelligence prowess in the last month.
Hanging over all of this is Iran’s nuclear program. A regime armed with nuclear missiles would change the deterrence calculus of Israel and the West. This is all the more reason to prevent Iran from gaining the bomb, including with a pre-emptive military strike against its nuclear facilities if necessary.
Israel’s experience in the past year is a reminder to the West about the cost of failed deterrence and what is required to restore it. Israel let down its guard against Hamas a year ago and paid a terrible price. It seems determined not to repeat that mistake with Hezbollah.
Biden has undermined the US ability to deter adversaries because he fears any escalation, ceding the advantage to Iran, Russia and China.
Israel can’t afford such indulgence. Its survival is at stake.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
More Coverage
McMahon to wrestle education break-up
Donald Trump said he would nominate World Wrestling Entertainment co-founder Linda McMahon to lead the education department that he has vowed to dismantle.
Jones Sues the Onion, Sandy Hook families
Disgraced conspiracy theorist Alex Jones is fighting back against the proposed sale of his right-wing website Infowars to the parent company of the satirical website the Onion.