Ted, haven't you paused to wonder about the implications of your "history lesson"? Israel must accept some of the responsibility for the current state of affairs in Lebanon, given its long-term occupation. Please spare us the crocodile tears about "those innocent deaths are a tragedy". You don't make an omlette without breaking eggs; likewise you don't fight a war without killing people. Israel's policy-makers obviously believe innocent Lebanese are worth less than innocent Israelis.

It seems, IMHO that Israel is run by IDF. Policy is made by the hawks and defended by thoughtful caring ex-soldiers like Mr Lapkin. When your only tool is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

SHONGA “Does this mean that North Korea has the right to defend herself against the holder of the majority of the world's nuclear weapons of mass destruction, and has been the only country in history to actually use them?”

I see no US missiles being fired at North Korea.

However, I do see Hezbollah and North Korea firing missiles.

Oh and I see democratically elected governments in USA and Israel, none in North Korea and whilst Hezbollah has representatives in the Lebanese government, I do not see them as having been authorised by the Lebanese government to fire missiles onto Israel.

It is annoying when some choose to twist circumstances to suit the banality of their argument.

"Collateral damage" is a metaphor for civilian deaths and injuries. Some degree of "collateral Damage is unavoidable in a conflict environment.

I wonder if Marilyn Shepherd has bothered to count how many Israelis and Lebenese have been killed by Hezbollah and Hamas terrorists?

Oh and it is not "an eye for an eye", it is - "Israel has the right to defend itself".

So all those salivating and foaming over how Hezbollah and Hamas have maintained a war of attrition against Israel, despite the Israeli withdraw from much of the Palestinian territories which it captured in previous attempts by Arabs to push the Israeli nation into the sea, should we be faced with similar threat, I want the ADF to be as resourceful and determined as the IDF.

Irf, marilyn, etc.

Get a grip. If you as a dual national choose to prefer one of your nationalities over the other to the extent that you are willing to hold the other citizens of one of them to ransom, by acts of wanton damage, destruction and assault, you must be prepared for those citizens you offend, to take such an opportunity with both hands. Funny thing is, so many maronites, who don't use their religion to keep our societies norm;s in the background, are itching to return to Lebanon, whilst those that do use their religion as a tool, and who are apparently disgusted by us 'skippies', now want to be saved, by guess who? Not us, surely.

Quite frankly, descendant's of refugee's & refugee's themselves who have felt capable of returning to the country from which they sought refuge, are self evidently, and demonstrably, holders of Australian citizenship for no apparent reason, they are certainly not entitled to refugee status. I suggest their citizenship should be immediately revoked, and they should go to the back of the line.

Inshallah

2bob

Dual citizens are Australians of convenience. I read today that some of them actually live full time in Lebanon with the intention of using Australia as a bolthole when necessary.

Their scheme may have come undone in a big way this time.

Still, as they also retain Lebanese citizenship, they should go to the Lebanese government, not the Australian government.

Our pansy Government has to do something about these people who blatantly use Australian citizenship without giving any loyalty to the country. No Australian citizenship without renunciation of other countries!

The point someone made about the possiblity of some Lebanese going back to the country they 'needed' asylum from is a very interesting one, too.

2Bob, perhaps you might point out which Australians of dual nationality have been "willing to hold the other citizens of one of them to ransom, by acts of wanton damage, destruction and assault"? Names please, and from a reputable source.

I find it a bit sad that some on this thread are so keen to denegrate and demonise people, on the basis of their country of origin. Why exactly is dual citizenship such a badge of shame?

Perhaps you might reflect on the large group of foreign nationals who haven't even bothered to take out Australian citizenship. They vote, can take their Australian pensions overseas and many travel in and out of the country on their foreign passports. Who are these disloyal traitors? Yes that's right, they are the pre-1984 British immigrants. They have all the same rights as citizens, but have never sworn allegience in Australia. Shame, shame, shame.

No leigh,let them keep their dual citizenship,make it a necessity for all immigrants over ten years.When immigrants are then convicted of a crime,they then can be expelled to from whence they came.

It won't cost the tax payer $60,000.00 pa per head for criminal incarseration in our gaols,and you won't have to pay high insurance premiums to cover the theft in your neighbourhood.

As for Israel,I have no affinity for any religion,however the Lunatic Muslims need to brought to heel.The Lebanese Govt didn't have the courage to suppress Hezbollah and are thus paying the price now.