With Lebanese Elections Looming, Times Instead Focuses on Spies for Israel

In the fourth article on Lebanese citizens spying for Israel in the past month, Times reporter Robert Worth finally gives some context to the issue, though fails in other regards.

Worth importantly notes that “It is no secret that Israel has long maintained intelligence agents” in Lebanon (so why so many articles on the issue?). The difference being now that the Lebanese government, in greater coordination with Hezbollah, has actually succeeded in capturing more of these alleged spies, “including a retired general, several security officials and a deputy mayor.”

One must then ask, what is motivating these Lebanese to spy for Israel? Worth argues, without any sort of corroboration, that “most seem to have been motivated by the promise of money.” He doesn’t address any sort of other motivations though, such as opposition to Hezbollah, which would like to create an Islamic Republic modeled off of Iran’s regime in Lebanon.

Many Lebanese are deeply opposed to such an outcome. Hezbollah would logically be the focus of Israel’s spying efforts. One would assume that many of those that are spying for Israel have no love for Hezbollah (otherwise they probably wouldn’t spy on them), but Worth doesn’t wish to go there.

Worth also is compelled to use contentious descriptions to Israel’s detriment, referring to the Second Lebanon War as Israel’s “punishing bombing campaign.” Of course, he makes no reference of Hezbollah’s use of human shields by embedding itself deep within the civilian population.

Ultimately, it is surprising that Worth devotes such a lengthy article to this marginal issue when greater analysis is needed for the upcoming Lebanese general elections on June 7, 2009. The results of this election will have great implications for both Lebanon and Israel, as well as the entire region.

The Times instead places the magnifying glass on Israel, which is par for the course.