The inevitable consequence of this impending war against Iraq will lead to the altering of the regional balance of power vastly in favour of Israel. It continues to disregard the existing resolutions as the US is o­nly interested in enforcing UN resolutions in a selective manner, rather then chronologically. Such behaviour shows the deep contempt US has for the Arab and Islamic world.

Hence it would not be unreasonable to argue that such selective application of UN resolutions targeting a specific culture is outright racist! Not satisfied, the war hawks are now arguing, for the first time, that the UN resolutions passed o­n Israel are not mandatory, since they were not issued under Chapter 7.

Examined by a layperson, Chapter 7 gives no clear indication as being the sole route for issuing mandatory resolutions. Does this mean that the UN was simply passing most of these resolutions, so that its members can gain some practice? If a resolution is not binding, then why call it a resolution? It seems that truth is the first casualty of war.

Israel also justifies its violations, citing danger from being "threatened" by the Palestinian women and children who are continuing to "terrorise" the well-equipped Israeli armed forces with sticks and stones.

Back to the impending war, following the destruction and colonisation of Iraq, Israel will possess a clear material advantage, coupled with the licence given by the US to fight 'terror'. This will ultimately result in the colonisation of the entire West Bank and expulsion of all the Palestinians.

As Bush stated earlier in his own words, the crusade will take a little while. However, we will no doubt be told it is not a war against Islam, and that the US has 'genuine honourable intentions'.