I was reading this article in the Jerusalem Post and it appears that Ray LaHood “is a distant relative of Lebanese President Emile Lahoud.” I’m guessing that’s common knowledge around here, but I didn’t realize it. It wasn’t mentioned in the Journal Star’s recent story about LaHood’s trip to the Middle East, and I couldn’t find mention of it in the Journal Star’s archives, but I didn’t do an exhaustive search either. I suppose it’s not a big deal, depending on how “distant” a relative he is. Still, it’s interesting to know.

Also interesting is LaHood’s report of his meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, compared to the Jerusalem Post’s report. From the Journal Star’s article:

“We had a very frank discussion with her [Livni],” LaHood said. “We brought up the blockade and her point – and it’s a good point – is you can’t dispute the fact that Israel is surrounded by Arab countries that want to do them in, like Iran and Syria.”

“They feel like Lebanon can be a good friend and a good partner,” LaHood said, but Israel wants to be assured that Hezbollah will not be rearmed and continue to pose a threat.

The Jerusalem Post article states:

Livni […] told representatives Ray LaHood (R-IL), Charles Boustany (R-LA) and Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) that Israel would not make any gestures toward Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Saniora.

According to officials in Livni’s office, the three congressmen came to Israel after meeting Saniora in Lebanon with a message that the blockade should be lifted for humanitarian reasons. LaHood is a distant relative of Lebanese President Emile Lahoud.

Livni’s reply was that Israel’s “pockets were empty” of gestures until UN Security Council Resolution 1701 is implemented. She said that if Saniora wanted to improve the situation, he should do everything within his power to work for the release of kidnapped IDF soldiers Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev and enforce the arms embargo against Hizbullah.

At first glance, they’re pretty similar. But it’s worth noting that Israel is not only asking for Hezbollah not to be rearmed (that is, to get new arms shipments), but for Hezbollah to be disarmed. Israel wants UN Security Council Resolution 1701 fully implemented, which includes this provision (emphasis mine):

[The UN] Calls for Israel and Lebanon to support a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution based on the following principles and elements:
[…]
— full implementation of the relevant provisions of the Taif Accords, and of resolutions 1559 (2004) and 1680 (2006), that require the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon, so that, pursuant to the Lebanese cabinet decision of 27 July 2006, there will be no weapons or authority in Lebanon other than that of the Lebanese State;

Resolutions 1559 and 1680 specifically call for the disbandment and disarmament of “all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias,” which would include Hezbollah.

Livni also mentioned that it would be a good thing if those kidnapped Israeli soldiers were returned, since that’s part of what triggered the escalation. LaHood didn’t mention that, either.

Nevertheless, it looks like LaHood is going to get his wish tomorrow. CNN reports that “Israel will lift its sea and air blockade of Lebanon on Thursday evening, the Israeli government announced Wednesday.” In accord with Resolution 1701, international forces are taking over for Israeli forces, hence the step down from a full blockade on Lebanon.