WCC reps say many suspect Israeli actions in Lebanon were preplanned

Published: 2006-08-18

ROME (CNS) -- Israel's massive bombardment of southern Lebanon left many people in the region with the suspicion that Israel's military operation had been planned well in advance of the July provocation by the Hezbollah militia, said a delegation from the World Council of Churches. "We heard this from many, many people during our trip, especially in Lebanon, but also in Israel," said Archbishop Bernard-Nicolas Aubertin of Tours, France, a member of the delegation. "I do not know if it is true, but that is what we heard," the archbishop said during an Aug. 17 telephone interview. Archbishop Aubertin visited the Middle East Aug. 10-15 with the Rev. Jean-Arnold de Clermont, president of the European Council of Churches, and with Marilia Alves-Schuller of the World Council of Churches. In an Aug. 16 statement, members of the delegation said the Lebanese they met all said they believed that Israel's massive attacks on neighborhoods, homes, bridges and roads were "both deliberate and planned."

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