In case you werent aware, Hezbollah is also a political party who along with the Amal movement represent a sizable voting block in Lebanese parliament. Although representing Lebanons Shia Muslims, they also formed an alliance with Michel Aoun, leader of one the major Christian parties. They provide social services and health care to the needy of the country and saying they have no reason to exist is like saying Lebanon has no right to a democracy.Hezbollah are using a conflict between Israel and Syria in order to justify its existence, because they don't really have any reason to exist. As already stated, they've attacked Israel unprovoked, and during the conflict have launched thousands of rockets for almost a year onto the cities of Israel. Nasrallah, and most of the Hezbollah's top level command, have paid the price in the last two weeks
Obviously, they have no reason to exist as a military organization with 100+ thousand rockets and missiles (130 thousand according to a google search that I did a few seconds ago). The last two large conflicts that have happened between Israel and Lebanon in the last 20 years happened after Hezbollah attacked Israel, both times unprovoked. Do you think that it would make sense for the Republican or Democratic party to have their own army in addition to the US army, that only abides to the party leadership and not the nation's leadership?In case you werent aware, Hezbollah is also a political party who along with the Amal movement represent a sizable voting block in Lebanese parliament. Although representing Lebanons Shia Muslims, they also formed an alliance with Michel Aoun, leader of one the major Christian parties. They provide social services and health care to the needy of the country and saying they have no reason to exist is like saying Lebanon has no right to a democracy.
What are you on about? Hezb was reaching out to their opponents across the political spectrum and forming cross-religious alliances (with the largest Christian party) and open to working with the others. Nothing fascist nor exclusionary in their (Lebanese) politics at all.Obviously, they have no reason to exist as a military organization with 100+ thousand rockets and missiles (130 thousand according to a google search that I did a few seconds ago). The last two large conflicts that have happened between Israel and Lebanon in the last 20 years happened after Hezbollah attacked Israel, both times unprovoked. Do you think that it would make sense for the Republican or Democratic party to have their own army in addition to the US army, that only abides to the party leadership and not the nation's leadership?
As a political party? I have no opinions on the politics of Lebanon. However, in the general case I wouldn't strongly support your claim. History is filled with fascist/racist leaders who've had some success in democratic elections, whose parties are now outlawed (e.g. National Fascist Party/Republican Fascist Party in Italy, Nazi party in Germany or Kach in Israel). I wouldn't say that the fact that the National Fascist Party can no longer be formed means that Italy has no right to a democracy.
I did not claim that Hezbollah is a fascist party. I said that as a general rule, the fact that a party has grassroots support in a country doesn't automatically mean that banning it means "the end of democracy", and I've presented examples in different countries (Italy, Germany and Israel). I've also stated that I have no knowledge of Lebanese politics. Anyway, I was directly talking about the military aspect of Hezbollah. I have no opinion on Hezbollah as a political party.What are you on about? Hezb was reaching out to their opponents across the political spectrum and forming cross-religious alliances (with the largest Christian party) and open to working with the others. Nothing fascist nor exclusionary in their (Lebanese) politics at all.
If we're going back to 1982, why not go back a few years earlier. We can talk about the Coastal Road massacre (1978), an operation conducted by PLO coming from Lebanon into Israel killing 38 civilians including 13 children. You can also mention Samir Kuntar and his company that in 1979 who crossed the border and murdered 4 Israelis, including 2 children one of them by suffocation. You going back to 1982 just shows exactly the point - Hezbollah doesn't have a real present day reason for its military arm as Israel has left Lebanon according to international law in 2000. Hezbollah instigated the war in 2006, and they were the ones that started the conflict in 2023 which appears to be reaching its peak now.And yes, they had no reason to exist pre-1982. They came into existence precisely because their country was invaded *unprovoked* by Israel in 1982 at the cost of 15k+ Lebanese civs killed.
The Israelis claimed Pal militants were attacking Israel from north of the border but nothing of the sort had occurred for a year and the border was essentially quiet.
Yet the PLO was not destroyed after the war, but exiled to Tunisia. Arafat himself remained the head of the PLO after the war in 1982, and indeed in 1993 reached the Oslo I Accords. However, let's stay on topic. I understand why Hezbollah was created and I also get the animosity in Lebanon towards Israel. Hezbollah was created to end the IDF/SLA occupation of southern Lebanon, and it has ended in 2000. I know I am repeating myself, but I'll say this again - Hezbollah was at a crossroads - they could state that their mission is over and they're dissolving the military wing (or maybe integrating into the Lebanese Army) or they could make up a reason to justify their military existence. Hezbollah chose to make a new claim to justify its military existence. These kinds of organizations somehow always find some new reason to exist.What riled the Israelis were the PLO leadership under Arafat undertaking a diplomatic initiative to recognize Israel and entering discussions with the US to lay the groundwork for a potential peace settlement. That unfortunately for the Israelis would have to involve the return of the West Bank and Gaza, something they were never willing to do.
So the Israelis rolled their army up to the border and waited for weeks for militants to respond to several IDF provocations but non were forthcoming. It took the assassination of Israels ambassador to the UK (Shlomo Argov) by a radical Pal militant unconnected with the PLO to start off the invasion!
So guys, I've been meaning to ask you..
How does it feel to have Israel as a proxy ambassador of love and peace in the Middle East?
You must really be counting the love coupons the region is sending your way these days on this fine US public relations offensive Benjamin is rolling out.
Too soon?
Fascinating perspective.Responding to earlier comments posted yesterday, lots of disinfo and false narratives abound. Which is no wonder many ppl are still in the dark when they talk about Hezb.
So guys, I've been meaning to ask you..
How does it feel to have Israel as a proxy ambassador of love and peace in the Middle East?
You must really be counting the love coupons the region is sending your way these days on this fine US public relations offensive Benjamin is rolling out.
Too soon?
But it's *completely different* when the good guys do it!Isn't it odd we call hezb a terrorist organization, yet Israel plotted a plan to distribute explosives placed in electronic devices and triggered said devices to maim, kill and to bring fear.
Isn't this the very definition of a terrorist plot?
Just an observation.
Did you properly read my post on Bidens statement re the specific terror acts that took the lives of "hundreds of Americans"? It wasnt Hezb, but Islamic Jihad that claimed responsibility. But decades later since they are no longer relevant, its convenient to shift the blame onto Hezb who are still relevant.Fascinating perspective.
But then, the US has this to say. Seems we also had a score to settle, and there are no qualms about Hezbollah's responsibility for joining the ongoing war.
Statement from President Joe Biden on the Death of Hassan Nasrallah
Hassan Nasrallah and the terrorist group he led, Hezbollah, were responsible for killing hundreds of Americans over a four-decade reign of terror. His death from an Israeli airstrike is a measure of justice for his many victims, including thousands of Americans, Israelis, and Lebanese civilians.The strike that killed Nasrallah took place in the broader context of the conflict that began with Hamas’s massacre on October 7, 2023. Nasrallah, the next day, made the fateful decision to join hands with Hamas and open what he called a “northern front” against Israel.
After the 78 coastal road terror attack, the Israelis (understandably) went into Lebanon and wiped out the Pal bases south of the Litani river. UN res 425 was then passed and established UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) as a security buffer and to protect the sovereignty of Lebanese territory and prevent excursions by militants into Israel.If we're going back to 1982, why not go back a few years earlier. We can talk about the Coastal Road massacre (1978), an operation conducted by PLO coming from Lebanon into Israel killing 38 civilians including 13 children. You can also mention Samir Kuntar and his company that in 1979 who crossed the border and murdered 4 Israelis, including 2 children one of them by suffocation. You going back to 1982 just shows exactly the point - Hezbollah doesn't have a real present day reason for its military arm as Israel has left Lebanon according to international law in 2000. Hezbollah instigated the war in 2006, and they were the ones that started the conflict in 2023 which appears to be reaching its peak now.
There is no reason for Hezbollah's military existence or having an arsenal of 100+ thousand rockets after Israel left Lebanon in 2000. No real justification. Shebaa farms are a relatively small piece of land (25 km^2) that is a part of Syria. Even if they claim that Shebaa farms is contested territory, there's no justification for them to have a billion dollar budget military (supposedly the largest non-state military in the world). I will also remind you that Israel has held the area since 1967 and annexed it in 1981 (yes, against international law, and before the 1982 Lebanon War), yet Lebanon never made any claim to it, nor did Hezbollah, until after Israel left Lebanon in 2000 - so it just took 33 years for someone in Lebanon to claim that it's actually their land, which just so conveniently happened to justify Hezbollah's military existence.
Those if those missiles landed on bibi and his party that would be justice.Iranian missile launches reportedly in progress.
Assuming the US can track the target that accurately, oh oops one got throughThose if those missiles landed on bibi and his party that would be justice.
Those if those missiles landed on bibi and his party that would be justice.
Escalation is exactly what Netanyahoohoo wanted, and to drag the US into a full-blown war with Iran.
Obviously Trump will solve everything in one day when he is elected as president.So guys, I've been meaning to ask you..
How does it feel to have Israel as a proxy ambassador of love and peace in the Middle East?
You must really be counting the love coupons the region is sending your way these days on this fine US public relations offensive Benjamin is rolling out.
Too soon?
Anyone with half a brain knew this is what Netanyahu wanted.
And to interfere with the US election.
This has been predictable for months. No Surprise this is all happening 30 days before the election.
The only quesiton is WTF is Biden doing.
It's insane.
Biden is not going to get into a war with Iran.Anyone with half a brain knew this is what Netanyahu wanted.
And to interfere with the US election.
This has been predictable for months. No Surprise this is all happening 30 days before the election.
The only quesiton is WTF is Biden doing.
It's insane.