Editorial: Israel loses its moral authority

Even in the dire early weeks of this Middle East war, as Lebanese civilians suffered sustained bombardment, it was still possible to give Israel's intentions, if not its actions, the benefit of the doubt. The Israelis, as they have stated so often, have a right to defend themselves against attacks, and to snuff out Hizbollah's ability to dispatch rockets deep into their territory. But, little by little, the plausibility of Israel's conduct has ebbed away. Now, with the air strike on Qana, which killed at least 54 people, most of them sleeping children, it has vanished. No longer is it possible for any member of the international community to think the best of the Israelis.

Qana has at least galvanised the United States sufficiently to gain a reprieve for the people of southern Lebanon. Israel, cajoled by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, has agreed to a 48-hour suspension of its aerial assault. No apology has been forthcoming, however. Israel, having earlier rejected a similar request from the United Nations, announced the ceasefire in the most grudging of tones. The move was painted not as recognition of a grievous error but as a means of easing the flow of humanitarian aid. Worse, the Israelis insisted they had "beseeched" the residents of Qana to leave before the attack. Never mind that travel in the region has become a hazardous undertaking because of Israeli jets destroying some fleeing vehicles heading north and away from the war zone.

That destruction has not been confined to refugee traffic. Clearly marked ambulances have also been attacked. Pictures of shell holes wrought large in red crosses carried a strong hint of indiscriminate bombing. Whatever the protestations of Israel's political leaders, it seems apparent that elements of the armed forces have few scruples about the conduct of the conflict. As much was confirmed when four United Nations soldiers were killed when their observation post at Khiam was bombarded. Given the sequence of events, this appears most likely to have been the work of field commanders irritated by the peacekeepers' presence.

Now it is not just the Israeli military that is irked by the UN. In the wake of Qana, protesters smashed their way into the UN headquarters in Beirut, cheered on by thousands chanting "Death to Israel, death to America". The action was that of a people who, feeling abandoned by the international community, are ready to lash out, even in the most misguided of ways. Qana must be the signal for the orchestration of a permanent ceasefire, preparatory to negotiations and an international force moving into southern Lebanon.

The conflict will drag on as long as the international response remains desultory. It is in the interest of both the warring parties to continue as long as they can. The US has given Israel a green light to continue its attack by not demanding an overall truce. An Israeli Government keen to stamp its mark and a military yet to achieve its goal of neutralising Hizbollah need no second invitation. Hizbollah, for its part, must relish its heightened status in the eyes of the people of Lebanon. There is little to suggest they blame it for their suffering. Indeed, the hatred engendered every time a Lebanese citizen dies drives more people into the Hizbollah camp. That, in turn, makes a lasting solution ever more difficult.

By any yardstick, Israel has overstepped the mark, and the bombing of Qana must mark a turning point. No longer is it enough for the US to urge restraint. The world must speak as one in demanding an immediate, and permanent, ceasefire.