ZIONISM AND THE MIDDLE EAST Part 2

WHO FIGHTS FOR PALESTINE?



HEZBOLLAH



Hezbolla is a democratically elected, Shi'a political group based in Lebanon. Hezbollah is now also a major provider of social services, which operate schools, hospitals, and agricultural services for thousands of Lebanese Shiites, and plays a significant force in Lebanese politics. It is regarded as a resistance movement throughout much of the Arab and Muslim world. Some governments have praised the party, including Arab ones, while others have condemned actions by Hezbollah. Some western countries regard it in whole or in part as a terrorist organization.



Hezbollah first emerged as a militia in response to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, also known as Operation Peace for Galilee, in 1982, set on resisting the Israeli occupation of Lebanon during the Lebanese civil war. Its leaders were inspired by Ayatollah Khomeini, and its forces were trained and organized by a contingent of Iranian Revolutionary Guards. Hezbollah's 1985 manifesto listed its main goals as putting an end to any colonialist entity in Lebanon and the establishment of an Islamic regime in Lebanon. Hezbollah leaders have also made numerous statements calling for the destruction of Israel, which they refer to as a Zionist entity... built on lands wrested from their owners."



Hezbollah, which started with only a small militia, has grown to an organization with democratically elected seats in the Lebanese government, a radio and a satellite television-station, and programs for social development.



Hezbollah maintains strong support among Lebanon's Shi'a population, and gained a surge of support from Lebanon's broader population (Sunni, Christian, Druze) immediately following the 2006 Lebanon War, and is able to mobilize demonstrations of hundreds of thousands.



Later, Hezbollah was granted veto power in Lebanon's parliament. In addition, National unity government was formed which Hezbollah has one minister and controls eleven of thirty seats in it.



Hezbollah receives its financial support from Iran, Syria, and the donations of Lebanese and other Shi'a. It has also gained significantly in military strength in the 2000s. Despite a June 2008 certification by the United Nations that Israel had withdrawn from all Lebanese territory, in August of that year, Lebanon's new Cabinet unanimously approved a draft policy statement which secures Hezbollah's existence as an armed organization and guarantees its right to "liberate or recover occupied lands."



On February 16, 1985, Sheik Ibrahim al-Amin issued Hezbollah's manifesto:



To expel the Americans, the French and their allies definitely from Lebanon, putting an end to any colonialist entity on our land.



To permit all the sons of our people to determine their own future and to choose the form of government they desire. We call upon all of them to pick the option of Islamic government which, alone, is capable of guaranteeing justice and liberty for all. Only an Islamic regime can stop any future tentative attempts of imperialistic infiltration onto our country.

(Pretty much the same principles upon which the United States was created except Hezbollah hasn't commited genocide to achieve those goals).



The 1985 manifesto makes it clear that Hezbollah intends to use armed force to achieve these goals.



Some translations of Hezbollah's 1985 Arabic-language manifesto state that "our struggle will end only when this entity [Israel] is obliterated". However neither the original publication of the manifesto, nor those found on Hezbollah's website, include this statement. In an interview with the Washington Post, Nasrallah said "I am against any reconciliation with Israel. I do not even recognize the presence of a state that is called 'Israel'". In March 2009, in a speech marking the birthday of Muhammad, Nasrallah said, "As long as Hezbollah exists, it will never recognize Israel." rejecting a US precondition for dialogue.



Hezbollah's spokesperson Hassan Ezzedin: "Our goal is to liberate the 1948 borders of Palestine. The Jews can go back to Germany or wherever they came from. However, the Jews who lived in Palestine before 1948 will be 'allowed to live as a minority and they will be cared for by the Muslim majority."



On May 26, 2000, After the Israeli withdrawal from south Lebenon Hassan Nassrallah said: "This "Israel" that owns nuclear weapons and is the strongest air force in this region is more fragile than a spiderweb."