Hagel & Hezbollah
Hagel Failed To Support Israel Calling For An Immediate Cease-Fire During Its 2006 War With Lebanon, “Urging President Bush to turn all U.S. efforts toward ‘ending this madness,’ a leading Republican senator Monday broke with the Bush administration and called for an immediate cease-fire in the Mideast.” [CNN, 7/31/06]
In A 2006 Speech On The Lebanon War, Senator Chuck Hagel Sided With Lebanon, Calling For An End To The “Sickening Slaughter” And “Systematic Destruction Of An American Friend, The Country And People Of Lebanon.” SEN. CHUCK HAGEL: “How do we realistically believe that a continuation of the systematic destruction of an American friend, the country and people of Lebanon, is going to enhance America’s image and give us the trust and credibility to lead a lasting and sustained peace effort in the Middle East? The sickening slaughter on both sides must end now. President Bush must call for an immediate cease fire. This madness must stop.” [Congressional Record, 7/31/06]
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During The 2006 Lebanon War, Hagel Claimed Israel’s “Military Action Alone Will Not Destroy Hezbollah Or Hamas,” But It Is “Deepening Hatred Of Israel Across The Middle East.” “Hezbollah is a threat to Israel, to Lebanon and to all who strive for lasting peace in the Middle East. However, military action alone will not destroy Hezbollah or Hamas. Extended military action is tearing Lebanon apart, killing innocent civilians, destroying its economy and infrastructure, creating a humanitarian disaster, further weakening Lebanon’s fragile democratic government, strengthening popular Muslim and Arab support for Hezbollah, and deepening hatred of Israel across the Middle East. The pursuit of tactical military victories at the expense of the core strategic objective of Arab-Israeli peace is a hollow victory. The war against Hezbollah and Hamas will not be won on the battlefield.” [Congressional Record, 7/31/06]
“In August 2006, Hagel Was One Of Only 12 Senators Who Refused To Write The EU Asking Them To Declare Hezbollah A Terrorist Organization.” [NJDC, 3/12/07]