While not condoning Israel's action against Lebanon, one must also condemn Hezbollah for the present crisis and for giving Israel legitimacy and justification for its action.

The fact is that Israel had withdrawn from southern Lebanon in 2000. Yet Hezbollah had in the six years continuously fired Katusyha rockets from southern Lebanon into Israel, particularly into northern Israel.

Even more bewildering is the question as to how a militia force like Hezbollah could build up its own arsenal and have its own private force thereby undermining the Lebanese army.

The fact is that there is no denying that it is the Hezbollah which ignited the present crisis when their militia crossed into Israeli territory and kidnaped two Israeli soldiers. Many countries in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, have put the blame squarely on Hezbollah.

Hezbollah clearly never anticipated such a decisive response from Israel. Unfortunately, it is Lebanon which is now paying the price for Hezbollah's folly.