Israel quickly becoming insufferable

So, now the Israelis want to dictate which countries can or cannot contribute to the international peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon. Apparently, they do no want troops from any country with which Israel does not maintain diplomatic relations.

As the decided aggressor in its armed conflict with Hezbollah, Israel hardly has much of a leg to stand on when it comes to selecting who may or may not participate. At this point, very few countries have stepped forward with a commitment. Among the few are Indonesia, Malaysia and Bangladesh, none of which maintains diplomatic ties to Israel.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Sunday that Israel will not accept the presence of peacekeepers in Lebanon from countries that don't have diplomatic relations with the Jewish state, according to officials.

The decision complicated efforts by the United Nations to form a 15,000-strong peacekeeping force to help enforce a truce that ended 34 days of fighting between Israel and the Lebanese guerrilla group Hezbollah.

The decision was made at a meeting of Olmert's inner Security Cabinet, meeting participants said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak to the media.

What? Is Israel afraid that troops from these countries might actually side with Hezbollah - as most of the rest of Lebanon seems to be doing - and turn against Israel?

Perhaps it's time for Israelis to look in the mirror and understand that many in the world who once were sympathetic to their situation no longer are. They are turning into a belching, farting Uncle Fred who comes for a short visit but never leaves.

In other words, they are overstaying their welcome in the world's consciousness.

Come on, Uncle Fred. It's time to go home and stop being such a pain the ass!