Editorial: A democracy defends itself

Tuesday, July 18, 2006 | 7:29 a.m.

Israel continued its assaults on Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon early Monday as diplomatic efforts to end the fighting gained a toehold.

Ehud Olmert, Israel's prime minister, said he would end his country's attacks on Lebanon when two Israeli soldiers who were captured by Hezbollah guerillas are freed, when Hezbollah ceases its attacks on Israel and when Lebanon takes control of its border.

In an attack on northern Israel on Wednesday, Hezbollah killed eight Israeli soldiers and captured two others. And a Hezbollah rocket assault Sunday on Haifa, Israel's third-largest city, killed eight people and wounded more than two dozen.

Despite these brazen acts of aggression, European leaders have accused Israel of taking disproportionate measures in fighting back. Israel, they say, should have sought intervention by the United Nations.

Imagine that terrorists had launched attacks on U.S. soil, killing and capturing American soldiers in the process. Would anyone expect the United States to sit back and ask for help from the U.N.? Of course not. But there seems to be a separate set of expectations for Israel - ones that are totally unrealistic, given that Hezbollah is being aided by dictatorships in Syria and Iran.

Hezbollah receives logistical backing from Syria and weapons and money from Iran - the president of which has repeatedly called for Israel's destruction. There is no way to negotiate with that kind of thinking. There also is little faith in trusting the Lebanese government when members of the terrorist group Hezbollah sit on its Cabinet.

Hezbollah has been gaining control in Lebanon since Israel pulled out six years ago. In response to the recent violence, President Bush suggested on Monday he may send Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to help settle the conflict.

Israel has every right to protect itself from ongoing attacks, and Olmert's demands are entirely reasonable. Any cease-fire must start with Hezbollah.