Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah are escalating substantially, with scores of people killed in Lebanon in the past week. Israel’s far-right government is stepping up the rhetoric and talking war.

Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli is the latest voicing pro-war rhetoric, declaring overnight in comments on X.com that Lebanon does not, in his opinion, fit the definition of a state, and that this gives Israel every right to invade and seize southern Lebanon.

Chikli said that southern Lebanon is essentially under the control of “a hostile Shi’ite population.” He added that he believes neither Syria nor Iran counts as states, and so don’t merit protection for their status as sovereign nations.

Poster Comment:

Iran and Syria have been functioning and recognized nations for many thousands of years. There was never a unified kingdom of Israel and Judah. There never was a Temple of Solomon. David was not a king. There were only 1,600 residents of Jerusalem at the time of David who was no king.