Bishara: Hizbullah did not declare war on “Israel” last summer

Source: Haaretz, 16-7-2007
Balad Chairman Azmi Bishara said Monday that Hizbullah did not declare war on "Israel" last summer, nor did it determine the timing of the war.
The former MK made the comments at a conference in Lebanon marking the one-year anniversary of the outbreak of the war, which erupted July 12, 2006 after Hizbullah killed three "Israeli" Military soldiers and abducted two others at the northern "Israeli" border. Five other soldiers were killed in the ensuing rescue attempt.
"`Israel` is known for planning and deciding in advance on the reason for war," said Bishara, adding that he believed the abduction of "Israeli" Military troops is a "common type of operation."
Bishara resigned from the Knesset and left "Israel" several months ago in the wake of a criminal investigation into allegations he acted against the security of the State of "Israel" during the Second Lebanon War.
Hizbullah parliamentary faction whip Mohammed Ra`ad also participated in the conference, along with officials various Arab states who represent pan-Arab movements.
Bishara`s comments received significant attention from Lebanon`s official news agency.
He added that there is no need to continue the debate as to whether Lebanon was victorious in the war, given that it has become a political argument. He slammed Hizbullah`s political rivals, saying they have spent 17 years debating or not they had emerged victorious.
Bishara said that last summer's war brought "liberation, victory, and the endowment of defeat in 33 days."