Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has sent a warning to the Lebanese government that Israel will respond to provocations by the Hizbullah terrorist organization by striking at Lebanon according to the daily Haaretz. Hizbullah is the driving force behind the Lebanese government, controlling some 21 out of 30 cabinet seats. Accordingly, Israel views acts by Hizbullah as official acts of the government according to the report. An unnamed official told Haaretz that Netanyahu informed the diplomat who carried his message to Beirut that, “As far as we’re concerned, the Lebanese government is responsible for whatever happens in its jurisdiction.” The report of the Netanyahu message again raises the issue of US law banning support for governments that include entities found on the State Department list of terrorist organizations. Although often invoked by members of Congress warning against Hamas entering a Palestinian unity government, those same voices are silent about Lebanon, where Hizbullah is on the same list as Hamas and presumably bound by the same legal restrictions. Hizbullah’s fighting force and huge arsenal place the Lebanese government into non-compliance with United Nations Security Council resolutions which prohibit non-governmental militias. The issue of Hizbullah’s arms and army are being raised by the Lebanese opposition parties.