A split in the Arab world caused by ... Israel?

Is the Arab world being divided by the Israel-Lebanon-Hezbollah war?  You can bet your boots on it!

Even in articles I don't agree with, there can be found elements of truth.  I'm willing to give credit where credit is due. David Hirst in his article titled, "The 'Arab system' is dying in Lebanon", says:   "If there was long a vast divide between Arab rulers and ruled, a vast contempt of the latter for the former, Hamas and Hizbullah, together, have crystallized them in the most flagrant manner."

It is true that some Arab countries surprised everyone in their response to the Israeli-Lebanese-Hezbollah present situation (war/conflict/fighting, whatever history ends up calling it).  When "Saudi Arabia, backed by Egypt and Jordan ... came out with its harsh criticism of Hizbullah, ... it struck a sympathetic chord not just with the Lebanese state, but much of its people too. And understandably so, incensed as they are by the way in which other states, notably "sister-Syria", with serial obduracy use their small and defenceless country to wage proxy wars, because they will not, dare not, wage direct ones of their own."  source

The actions of these three countries and others who are not so outspoken, siding with America and Israel was a 'stab in the back' of other Arab nations, creating a divide in the so-called "Arab system".

... the Palestine problem is the central issue of Arab politics, and of the so-called "Arab system" which - through its chief institution, the Arab League, embodying the collective will of 22 Arab states - is supposed to guard the higher interests and basic security of the Arab "nation". But the system manifestly does so no more; ...  source

Speaking of the Arab League, "Some of the Arab League money recently transferred to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has been paid out to Hamas ministers this week, according to PA sources.  The US has been actively working to keep international funds away from Hamas.

Meanwhile, European Union Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner announced Thursday that the EU had begun to transfer money to PA health workers, in concert with a mechanism designed to ensure that no money reach Hamas. Some $40 million has been designated by the EU for health purposes.  source

You may remember that Hamas was against this EU money going to the hospitals and health workers.  Hamas wanted the money to be sent directly to them.  Big surprise.

Is all this leading to World War III as Newt suggests?  Are we already in WWIII?  If so, whose on which side?  The answer may end up being very interesting.  If we are in WWIII, then the situation in Israel-Lebanon is just one important battle in that war.

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