This is terrorism.

Photo: People gather outside the American University hospital in Beirut, Lebanon, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Bassam Masri)

Israel carried out two terrorist attacks across Lebanon this week, bringing the entire region ever closer to the brink of all out war. These are the actions of a rogue state and the direct result of a climate of total impunity. 

In this Wire, we’ll break down what happened in Lebanon, Netanyahu’s political calculus, and why forever war guarantees a steady stream of weapons to Israel — all while lining the pockets of U.S. weapons manufacturers.

There’s a word for this: terrorism.

Thousands of pagers and two-way radios laden with explosives were detonated across Lebanon on Tuesday and Wednesday. 

The explosions went off in crowded supermarkets, on busy roads, and in homes, schools, and hospitals. The attack maimed over 3,000 people and killed at least 30, among them children. 

“Israel has neither confirmed nor denied any role in the explosions,” the New York Times reported, “but 12 current and former defense and intelligence officials who were briefed on the attack say the Israelis were behind it, describing the operation as complex and long in the making.”

Cars and apartments were set alight and hospitals overwhelmed with thousands of casualties. Because the devices in question began beeping repeatedly before they exploded, many victims were holding them close to their faces when they detonated, causing horrifying injuries. 

Much of the mainstream Western media has marveled at the so-called “precision” and “sophistication” of the attack, framing it as an operation intended only to target members of Hezbollah. This is patently false, as numerous civilians have been injured and killed. 

Israel’s real aim was clear: to stoke fear and mass panic among an entire population. During the second attack on Wednesday, explosions could be heard during the funeral of four people killed the previous day. Unconfirmed reports indicated that solar panels and ATMs detonated during the attacks, too. People across Lebanon have said they are afraid to use any electronic devices.

There’s a word for this: terrorism.

Netanyahu’s bid to stay in power.

The terrorist attacks carried out across Lebanon are reckless actions that could bring the entire region to war, with Israeli officials threatening an impending invasion of the country’s south.

Israel’s genocide in Gaza has devastated its own economy and sparked international outcry and condemnation. Yet it’s still in the interests of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to keep pushing for forever war. It’s why he’s derailed ceasefire negotiations at every turn, insisting on impossible-to-meet conditions so he can extend the genocide in Gaza for as long as possible. 

It’s also why he’s been trying to drag the entire region into a wider war. After all, the Israeli government has been bombing Lebanon since the genocide in Gaza began. That has included numerous attacks using white phosphorus in populated areas, a clear violation of international law. In October, mere days after the genocide began, an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon killed a Reuters reporter and injured six other journalists. 

Netanyahu wants forever war because he wants to stay in power. His governing coalition is weak, and it will likely collapse when Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza ends. An invasion of Lebanon would bring Iran and Syria into the fray and expand the genocide in Gaza into a multi-front war. That’s likely to keep Netanyahu’s coalition intact — and stave off his looming corruption trial.

War means more weapons for Israel — and more $$ for U.S. defense corporations.

The U.S. has said it opposes further “escalation” and supports a “diplomatic solution” to the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Regardless of what U.S. officials claim, an Israeli war with Lebanon will guarantee more U.S. weapons and military funding for Israel — and line the pockets of U.S.-based weapons manufacturers.  

When the region is on the brink of war, defense contractors like Lockheed Martin see their stock surge. That’s because they’re part of a multi-billion dollar industry with a vested interest in forever war. 

Here’s how it works: The U.S. sends Israel billions in taxpayer dollars that it then uses to purchase weapons in the U.S. market from U.S.-based arms manufacturers, who exercise enormous influence over U.S. foreign and defense policy and have a massive impact on the U.S. economy.  

Israel relies on a steady flow of U.S. weapons to maintain a “permanent state of war,” including its decades-long military occupation over millions of Palestinians and nearly a year of genocide in Gaza. In exchange for the United States’ unwavering military and diplomatic support, Israel acts as a core pillar of U.S. dominance in the region by protecting so-called “U.S. interests.” Because weapons manufacturers are so influential, “U.S. interests” usually align with those of the U.S.-based companies who are making the bombs. 

Israel is a rogue state. If it continues to be met with impunity, there will only be more death and destruction. The only way to end the genocide in Gaza and prevent a regional war is for the U.S. government to stop arming Israel, period. 

Call your Senators: Block weapons sales to Israel.

On Wednesday, Senator Bernie Sanders announced he was introducing legislation to block a planned $20 billion weapons shipment to Israel. Every bomb we can prevent saves lives. 

Call your Senators now and tell them to join Sanders in preventing these bombs from going to Israel — and to support a full arms embargo.

Take collective action for an arms embargo.

Every day at 3pm ET/12pm PT JVP hosts Power Half Hours for Palestine. Together, we’re channeling our grief and rage into collective action to end U.S. weapons sales to Israel. Join us.

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