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Revision as of 08:35, 2 February 2007

Template:Infobox Social Political Party

For other uses, see Hezbollah (disambiguation).

Hezbollah[1] (Arabic: حزب الله Template:ArabDIN,[2] meaning "party of God") is a Shi'a Islamic militia and political organization based in Lebanon. It follows a distinct version of Islamic Shi'a ideology developed by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iran.[3][4]

Hezbollah began to take shape during the Lebanese Civil War with three main goals comprising eradication of what it viewed as Western imperialism including the influence of the Phalangists, destruction of the state of Israel and building an Islamic state.[5][6][7] Hezbollah has realized the goal of transforming Lebanon into an Islamic state is not a practical one at this time and has temporarily abandoned it.[8]

Hezbollah has popular support in Shi'a Lebanese society and has mobilized demonstrations of hundreds of thousands[9]. In addition Hezbollah receives arms, training, and financial support from Iran[10] and has "operated with Syria's blessing."[11][12] Hezbollah, which started only with a militia, has grown to an organization which has seats in the Lebanese government, a radio and a satellite television station, and programs for social development.[13] Since 1992 the organization has been headed by Sheikh Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, its Secretary-General.

Six countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, officially list Hezbollah, or its external security arm, as a terrorist organization. All other nations do not list Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation. The terrorist label is controversial and highly political as many Arab and Muslim states support Hezbollah's goals and consider it resistance organization.[14][15] The European Union does not list Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.[16]. Russia says that it doesn't list Hezbollah as a terrorist organization because it does not view Hezbollah as a threat to Russia.[17][18] Human rights organizations Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch accused Hezbollah of committing war crimes against Israeli civilians.[20]

Part of a series on
Hezbollah
Political activities
Military activities
Capabilities
Organizations
Media
People
Secretaries-General
Senior officials

Introduction and Background

Hezbollah is one of two main political parties representing the Shiites, Lebanon's largest religious bloc. In the elections for Parliament, it won over 10% of the seats (14 out of 128) and the bloc it forms with others, the Resistance and Development Bloc, 27.3%.

Hezbollah organizes an extensive social development program and runs hospitals, news services, and educational facilities.[19] Its Reconstruction Campaign ('Jihad Al Binna') is responsible for numerous economic and infrastructure development projects in Lebanon.[20]

Ending Israel's occupation of Southern Lebanon was one focus of Hezbollah's early activities. Israel had become militarily involved in Lebanon in combat with the Palestine Liberation Organization which moved into Southern Lebanon after being ousted from Jordan. The PLO was attacking Israel from Southern Lebanon in the lead up to the 1982 Lebanon War, and Israel had invaded and occupied Southern Lebanon and besieged Beirut.

Then Hezbollah tried to expel Israel from Lebanon by using suicide attacks against the IDF and also against Jewish and Israeli targets outside of Lebanon.[21] According to the MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Base and the BBC, "[f]or many years, Hezbollah was synonymous with terror, suicide bombings and kidnappings.[22][11] Hezbollah is reputed to have been among the first Islamic resistance groups to use tactical suicide bombing against foreign soldiers in the Middle East.[23] Hezbollah's acts have included multiple kidnappings,[24][25][26][27][28] murders,[29][30][31][32][33] hijackings,[34] and bombings.[35][36][37][38] Hezbollah has been subject to assassination and abduction by Israel as well.[39] Hezbollah's violent acts are characterized by some countries as terrorist attacks; while others regard them as a resistance movement engaged in defensive Jihad."[40][41]

Supporters of Hezbollah justify Hezbollah's attacks against Israel for several reasons. Firstly, Hezbollah supporters cite the occupation of Lebanese land. Many of these attacks took place while Israel occupied the southern part of Lebanon and held it as a security zone in spite of United Nations Security Council Resolution 425. Although Israel withdrew from Lebanon in 2000, and their complete withdrawal was verified by the United Nations, Lebanon considers the Shebaa farms, captured by Israel from Syria in the 1967 war and considered by the UN to be disputed territory between Syria and Israel, to be Lebanese territory. Additionally, Israel holds between 2 and dozens of Lebanese prisoners in Israeli jails for crimes committed against Israel. Finally, Hezbollah and some of the Muslim world consider Israel an illegitimate state. For these reasons, many in the Arab world consider acts performed by Hezbollah against Israel to be justified as acts of defensive Jihad.[42] Although some Arab states (Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia) have condemned Hezbollah's actions, saying that "the Arabs and Muslims can't afford to allow an irresponsible and adventurous organization like Hezbollah to drag the region to war" and calling it "dangerous adventurism,"[43] throughout most of the Arab and Muslim world Hezbollah is regarded as a legitimate resistance movement with an emphasis on "calls for the destruction of Israel."[44][45][46][47] Even 74 percent of Lebanese Christians viewed Hezbollah at the height of the war as a resistance organization.[48]

In contrast, the United States, Israel and four other countries consider Hezbollah wholly or partly a terrorist organization. The European Union does not list Hezbollah as a "terrorist organization",[49] but does list Imad Mugniyah, a senior member and founder of Hezbollah as a terrorist.[50]

Ideology

Main article: Hezbollah Ideology

On February 16, 1985 Sheik Ibrahim al-Amin publicly declared the group's manifesto. The principles of its ideology in "The Hizballah Program" comprising [51][3]

In the early 1990s, Hezbollah underwent what a number of observers have called a process of "Lebanonization", which is reflected in acceptance of a multiconfessional Lebanon, rapprochement with a variety of non-Islamist forces, participation in electoral politics, and an emphasis on providing for the social welfare of its Shi'a Lebanese constituency.[53]

Shi'a Islamism

Hezbollah's original 1985 manifesto reads:

We are the sons of the ummah (Muslim community) - the party of God (Hizb Allah) the vanguard of which was made victorious by God in Iran. There the vanguard succeeded to lay down the bases of a Muslim state which plays a central role in the world. We obey the orders of one leader, wise and just, that of our tutor and faqih (jurist) who fulfills all the necessary conditions: Ruhollah Musawi Khomeini....We are an umma linked to the Muslims of the whole world by the solid doctrinal and religious connection of Islam, whose message God wanted to be fulfilled by the Seal of the Prophets, i.e., Muhammad. Our behavior is dictated to us by legal principles laid down by the light of an overall political conception defined by the leading jurist....As for our culture, it is based on the Holy Koran, the Sunna and the legal rulings of the faqih who is our source of imitation.[54]

Hezbollah was largely formed with the aid of the Ayatollah Khomeini's followers in the early eighties in order to spread Islamic revolution[55] and follows a distinct version of Islamic Shi'a ideology (“Willayat Al-Faqih”) developed by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iran.[3][44]

Although Hezbollah originally aimed to transform Lebanon into an Islamic republic, Hezbollah's spiritual guide Sayyed Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah[56]claims this goal has been abandoned.[44][11] Doubts, however, remain.[57][12][58]Nasrallah has been quoted as saying, "We believe the requirement for an Islamic state is to have an overwhelming popular desire, and we're not talking about fifty percent plus one, but a large majority."[59] Although Hezbollah believes in one-person-one-vote system and disagree with the multi-confessional quotas under the Ta'if Accord, it does not intend to force a one-person-one-vote system onto the country’s Christians.[60]

Position on Israel

From the inception of Hezbollah to the present[4][61][62][63][64] the elimination of the state of Israel has been Hezbollah's primary goal. Secretary-General Nasrallah has stated that "Israel is an illegal usurper entity, which is based on falsehood, massacres, and illusions,"[42] and considers that the elimination of Israel will bring peace in the Middle East: "There is no solution to the conflict in this region except with the disappearance of Israel."[65][66] 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.' I consider its presence both unjust and unlawful. That is why if Lebanon concludes a peace agreement with Israel and brings that accord to the Parliament our deputies will reject it; Hezbollah refuses any conciliation with Israel in principle."[67]

In a 1999 interview, Nasrallah outlined the group’s three "minimal demand[s]: an [Israeli] withdrawal from South Lebanon and the Western Bqa’ Valley, a withdrawal from the Golan, and the return of the Palestinian refugees.”[42] An additional objective is the freeing of prisoners held in Israeli jails.[68][69][44] Hezbollah's desire for Israeli prisoners that could be exchanged with Israel led to its abduction of Israeli soldiers which triggered the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict.[70]

Israel's occupation of the Shebaa Farms, along with the presence of Lebanese prisoners in Israeli jails, is often used as a pretext and stated as justification for the Hezbollah's continued hostilities against Israel even after Israel's verified withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000. Hezbollah's spokesperson Hassan Ezzedin, however, had this to say about an Israeli withdrawal from Sheba Farms: "If they go from Shebaa, we will not stop fighting them. ... Our goal is to liberate the 1948 borders of Palestine, ... The Jews who survive this war of liberation can go back to Germany or wherever they came from. However, that 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."[71]

In 2002, according to the BBC, Hezbollah, "said publicly that it is ready to open a second front against Israel in support of the intifada."[11] In a 2003 interview, Nasrallah has answered questions concerning the establishment of a Palestinian state established alongside an Israeli state stating "that he would not sabotage what is finally a 'Palestinian matter.' But until such a settlement is reached, he will, he said, continue to encourage Palestinian suicide bombers."[72] In the same interview, Nasrallah stated that "at the end of the road no one can go to war on behalf of the Palestinians, even if that one is not in agreement with what the Palestinians agreed on", adding, "Of course, it would bother us that Jerusalem goes to Israel ... [but] let it happen. I would not say O.K. I would say nothing."[72] Similarly, in 2004, when asked whether he was prepared to live with a two-state settlement between Israel and Palestine, Nasrallah said he would not sabotage what is a Palestinian matter.[61] He also said that outside of Lebanon, Hezbollah will act only in a defensive manner towards Israeli forces, and that Hezbollah's missiles were acquired to deter attacks on Lebanon.[73]

In July 2006, Hezbollah captured two Israeli soldiers sparking the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict.

Position on use of armed strength to achieve aims

Hezbollah's 1985 founding Manifesto reads:

No one can imagine the importance of our military potential as our military apparatus is not separate from our overall social fabric. Each of us is a fighting soldier. And when it becomes necessary to carry out the Holy War, each of us takes up his assignment in the fight in accordance with the injunctions of the Law, and that in the framework of the mission carried out under the tutelage of the Commanding Jurist. ...This is why whatever touches or strikes the Muslims in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Philippines and elsewhere reverberates throughout the whole Muslim umma of which we are an integral part.[74]

According to Islamic law, all Muslims should defend Islamic lands through Defensive Jihad and fight non-Muslims to withdraw from them. Both Sunnis and Shiites accept this principle.[75]

Position on Jews and Judaism

Hezbollah's official web site marks a distinction between "Zionist ideology" and Judaism. It likens Zionism to "the concept of creating 'Israel' by the use of force and violence, by stealing the Arabs’ lands and killing Palestinians."[76]

Hassan Nasrallah has made anti-Jewish statements such as "if they [Jews] all gather in Israel, it will save us the trouble of going after them worldwide."[77] The managing editor of the Beirut Daily Star, which published the quotation, has however since called into question the accuracy of the quotation as well as the honesty of the reporter.[78] A search of the Daily Star's online archive shows that between August 2002 and November 2003, the newspaper published 170 reports by the journalist in question.[79]

Amal Saad-Ghorayeb, a Shiite scholar and assistant professor at the Lebanese American University, however, argues that Hezbollah is not Anti-Zionist, but actually Anti-Jewish. She quotes Hassan Nasrallah as saying, "If we searched the entire world for a person more cowardly, despicable, weak and feeble in psyche, mind, ideology and religion, we would not find anyone like the Jew. Notice, I do not say the Israeli."[80] Regarding the official public stance of Hezbollah as a whole, she argues that while Hezbollah, "tries to mask its anti-Judaism for public-relations reasons..a study of its language, spoken and written, reveals an underlying truth." In her book, Hezbollah: Politics & Religion, she dissects the anti-Jewish roots of Hezbollah ideology, arguing that Hezbollah "believes that Jews, by the nature of Judaism, possess fatal character flaws." Saad-Ghorayeb also argues that "Hezbollah's Quranic reading of Jewish history has led its leaders to believe that Jewish theology is evil."[81]

In 2004 the Hezbollah-owned television station Al-Manar was banned in France on the grounds that it was inciting racial hatred. The court cited a 23 November broadcast in which a speaker accused Israel of deliberately disseminating AIDS in Arab nations.[82] No other European country has followed France's lead.

Women’s rights

In keeping with Lebanon’s generally secular and egalitarian culture, Hezbollah recognizes and promotes women’s rights (in the mold of the Western liberal tradition) somewhat more strongly than do other groups associated with Islamic jihad or Iran."[83][84]

See also: Women in Muslim societies

History

Main article: History of Hezbollah

Background

See also: Israel-Lebanon conflict

Its origins started in the early 1980s in a milieu which included the recent Iranian Islamic Revolution, political and secular conflict in Lebanon, and the Israeli invasion of Lebanon.[44] Israel had become militarily involved in Lebanon in combat with the Palestine Liberation Organization who moved into Southern Lebanon after being ousted from Jordan. The PLO was attacking Israel from Southern Lebanon in the lead up to the 1982 Lebanon War, and Israel had invaded and occupied Lebanon to protect its Northern border. Also, in 1982, "Iran sent Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to train Lebanese groups while Israel was invading and occuping southern part of Lebanon.[85]

During the years prior to its official founding, Hezbollah was held responsible or partially responsible for several attacks on Western (mostly American) targets; the most notable of which were the April 1983 U.S. Embassy bombing in which 63 people were killed [86] and the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing in which 241 American military personnel were killed [86] (though it should be noted that Hezbollah has denied involvement in the latter attack).[87]

Foundation

Hezbollah was formed primarily to combat the Israeli occupation following the 1982 invasion of Lebanon.[11][88][12] It was officially founded on February 16, 1985 when Sheik Ibrahim al-Amin declared the group's manifesto.[89] Scholars differ as to when Hezbollah came to be a distinct entity. Some organizations list the official formation of the group as early as 1982[90] whereas Diaz and Newman maintain that Hezbollah remained an amalgamation of various violent Shi’a extremists until as late as 1985.[91] Another version states that it was formed by supporters of Sheikh Ragheb Harb, a leader of the southern Shiite resistance killed by Israel in 1984.[92] Regardless of when the name came into official use, a number of Shi’a groups were slowly assimilated into Hezbollah, such as Islamic Jihad, Organization of the Oppressed on Earth and the Revolutionary Justice Organization.[citation needed] These designations are considered to be synonymous with Hezbollah by the US,[93] Israel[3] and Canada.[94]

They have fought with Israel for more than twenty years and as a result tens of Hezbollah leaders and officials including the former Secretary-General,Seyyed Abbas al-Musawi have been assassinated by Israel.[95][92]

Political activities

Main article: Hezbollah political activities
Organizational chart of Hezbollah.

Along with the Amal Movement, Hezbollah is one of the two main parties representing the Shi'a community, Lebanon's largest religious bloc, but the only remaining militant one (Amal is now only a political party).[96] Hezbollah's political success is regarded as a model for other Islamic parties in the Middle East like Hamas and United Iraqi Alliance; its actions are thought to provide strong clues as to how these other emerging Islamist forces might behave.[92]

Hezbollah participates in the Parliament of Lebanon.[97] In the general election of 2005, it won 14 seats nationwide (of 128 total), and an Amal-Hezbollah alliance won all 23 seats in Southern Lebanon. The bloc it forms with others, the Resistance and Development Bloc, took 27.3% of the seats (see Lebanese general election, 2005). Also When municipal elections were held in spring 2004, the party won control of 21 percent of the municipalities.[92]

Although Hezbollah joined the new government in 2005 (reportedly in exchange for assurances regarding its military apparatus), it has remained staunchly opposed to the March 14 coalition's hegemonic ambitions.[98] Hezbollah, the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), and the Amal Movement joined forces, demanding establishment of "national unity government"[99][100] When negotiation with ruling coalition defeated five Cabinet Ministers of Hezbollah and Amal quit their positions. A Christian Cabinet Minister related to president Emile Lahoud was the sixth member to leave his position within twenty-four hours.[101]

The anti-government revolt is an ongoing series of protests and sit-ins that began December 1, 2006, led by groups in Lebanon that oppose the Western-backed government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.[102] The opposition group is seeking to create a national unity government, in which it demands one more than one third of the Cabinet seats. This would give them veto power, as well as the ability to collapse the current government at will.[103] The current government has refused this. The opposition is also seeking to hold early parliamentary elections, hoping to remove the current majority held by the March 14 Alliance.[103][104]

See also: 2006–2007 Lebanese anti-government revolt

Lebanese government positions on Hezbollah's disarmament

The government of Lebanon's position on Hezbollah's disarmament is unclear.[105] On August 5, 2006 the Prime Minister of Lebanon said that "the continued presence of Israeli occupation of Lebanese lands in the Shebaa Farms region is what contributes to the presence of Hezbollah weapons. The international community must help us in (getting) an Israeli withdrawal from Shebaa Farms so we can solve the problem of Hezbollah's arms".[106]

Military activities

Main article: Hezbollah military activities

Hezbollah has a military branch known as Al-Muqawama al-Islamiyya ("The Islamic Resistance") and is the possible sponsor of a number of lesser-known militant groups, some of which may be little more than fronts for Hezbollah itself, including the Organization of the Oppressed, the Revolutionary Justice Organization, the Organization of Right Against Wrong, and Followers of the Prophet Muhammad.[107][3][94]

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1559 called for the disarmament of militia with the Taif agreement at the end of the Lebanese civil war. Hezbollah denounced and protested against the resolution. The 2006 military conflict with Israel has increased the controversy. Failure to disarm remains a violation of the resolution and agreement, but a significant minority of Lebanese consider Hezbollah's weaponry a necessary and justified element of resistance. The official position of the Lebanese government is unclear, with conflicting statements given.[108]

Armed strength

File:Lebanese Hezbollah recruts being sworn in.jpg
Hezbollah recruits salute during a graduation ceremony in Beirut, November 11, 2001.
See also: Hezbollah rocket force

The strength of Hezbollah's forces are disputed, having been estimated by US government sources as either "several thousand"[109] or, alternatively, as several thousand supporters and a few hundred devotee operatives.[110] It is frequently claimed that Hezbollah's militia is supported by Iran and Syria.

The International Institute for Strategic Studies estimates Hezbollah forces to consist of 600-1000 active fighters (with 3,000 - 5,000 regulars available and 10,000 reservists) and to possess stockpile of 10,000 - 15,000 rockets of the Katyusha, Fajr-3 and Fajr-5 type in addition to an estimated 30 missiles of the Zelzal type.[111]

Intelligence capabilities

According to Israeli and American sources, Hezbollah has three units charged with intelligence operations.

One unit is responsible for intelligence activities against Israel, primarily by recruiting and running agents in order to gather information about Israeli military bases and other potential targets. It is claimed that this unit also gathers information on behalf of Iran,[citation needed] and is also known to conduct SIGINT operations against IDF communications.[112]

According to Michael Eisenstadt, of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Hezbollah also has a unit called Unit 1800 which aids Palestinians engaged in their operations, by providing funding, direction, weapons, and bomb-building instructions.[113]

Stance on what is a legitimate military target

Hezbollah has not been directly involved in a suicide bombing since 1999 and has publicly denounced some of these attacks. After the September 11, 2001 attacks, Hezbollah condemned Al Qaeda for targeting the civilian World Trade Center, but remained silent on the attack on the Pentagon, neither favoring nor opposing the act.[114][115] Hezbollah also denounced the Armed Islamic Group massacres in Algeria, Al-Gama’a al-Islamiyya attacks on tourists in Egypt,[116] and the murder of Nick Berg.[117] Nasrallah, in a 2006 interview with the Washington Post, condemned violence against American civilians: “[I]f there are American tourists, or intellectuals, doctors, or professors who have nothing to do with this war, they are innocent, even though they are Americans, and it is forbidden."[114]

Although Hezbollah has denounced certain attacks on Western civilians, some people accuse the organisation of the bombing of an Argentine synagogue in 1994. Argentine prosecutor Alberto Nisman, Marcelo Martinez Burgos, and their "staff of some 45 people"[21] alleged Hezbollah and their contacts in Iran were responsible for the 1994 bombing of a Jewish cultural center in Argentina, in which "[e]ighty-five people were killed and more than 200 others injured."[118] In June 2002, , shortly after the Israeli government launched Operation Defensive Shield, Nasrallah gave a speech in which he defended and praised suicide bombings of Israeli civilians, including women and children; by members of Palestinian groups for "creating a deterrence and equalizing fear." Nasrallah stated that "in occupied Palestine there is no difference between a soldier and a civilian, for they are all invaders, occupiers and usurpers of the land."[119]

In addition, Hezbollah's television station Al-Manar airs programming designed to inspire suicide attacks in Gaza, the West Bank and Iraq.[120][121][122]

Media operations

Hezbollah operates a satellite television station from Lebanon, Al-Manar TV ("the Lighthouse") as well as a radio station, al-Nour ("the Light"). Kabdat Alla ("The Fist of God") is the monthly magazine of Hezbollah's paramilitary wing.

Al Manar broadcasts news in Arabic, English, French and Hebrew and is widely watched both in Lebanon and in other Arab countries. Its transmission in France (even via satellite, not by any station based on French territory) is controversial. It has been accused of promoting religious and racial hatred (against Jews), which is a criminal offense in France. On December 13, 2004, the French Conseil d'État, acting on the request of the French TV authorities, issued an injunction to Eutelsat to cease the broadcasting of Al Manar in France.[123]

The Hezbollah Central Internet Bureau in 2003 released a Video Game[124] titled Special Force, intended to simulate Arab-Israeli conflicts from an Arab perspective.

Materials aimed at children[125] are an aspect of Hezbollah's media operations.

Hezbollah attempts to maintain websites to run recruitment videos and post bank account numbers where supporters can donate funds.[126] These websites are also considered "an inseparable part of the psychological war"[127] and are tracked by other groups with a view to their closure.[128]

Social services

Hezbollah also organizes extensive social development programs, running hospitals, news services, and educational facilities. Social services have a central role in the party's programs. Most experts believe that Hezbollah's social and health programmes are worth hundreds of millions of dollars annually.[129]

It has established some institutions which are Emdad committee for Islamic Charity,[130] Al-Shahid Social Association, Hizbollah Central Press Office, Al Jarha Association,[131] and Jehad Al Benaa Developmental Association.[132] Its Reconstruction Campaign ('Jihad al-Binna') is responsible for numerous economic and infrastructure development projects in Lebanon.[133] In March 2006 an IRIN news report of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs noted: "Hezbollah not only has armed and political wings - it also boasts an extensive social development programme. Hezbollah currently operates at least four hospitals, 12 clinics, 12 schools and two agricultural centres that provide farmers with technical assistance and training. It also has an environmental department and an extensive social assistance programme. Medical care is also cheaper than in most of the country's private hospitals and free for Hezbollah members".[19] Also Hezbollah's social service agencies provide health care and schooling for poor farmers.[134]

According to CNN: "Hezbollah did everything that a government should do, from collecting the garbage to running hospitals and repairing schools."[135] In July 2006, during the war with Israel, when there was no running water in Beirut, Hezbollah was arranging supplies around the city. "People here [in South Beirut] see Hezbollah as a political movement and a social service provider as much as it is a militia, in this traditionally poor and dispossessed Shiite community."[135] The Washington Post reported that Hezbollah had set up a Martyr's Institute, which guarantees to provide for the living and education expenses for the families of fighters who die in battle.[136] Also after the war it competes with the Lebanon government to reconstruct destroyed area. According to analysts like American University Professor Judith Swain Harik, Jihad al-Binaa has won the initial battle of hearts and minds in large part because they are the most experienced in the reconstruction field in Lebanon.[137]

Funding

Main article: Funding of Hezbollah

Hezbollah mainly gets its money from donations. Lebanese Shi’ites often make zakat contributions directly after prayers, leaving change in the two-handed Hezbollah collection tins. Also Hezbollah receives financial and political assistance, as well as weapons and training, from the Islamic Republic of Iran.[19][138][136] The US estimates that Iran was giving Hezbollah about $60-$100 million per year in financial assistance but that assistance declined as other funding was secured, primarily from South America.[139][140]

Foreign relations

Main article: Hezbollah foreign relations

Although UN Security Council Resolution 1559, calls for "the disbanding and disarmament of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militia",[22], many UN actors have refused to describe Hezbollah as a terrorist organization..[23].

Hezbollah has close relations with Iran.[141] It also has ties with the Alawite leadership in Syria, specifically with President Hafez al-Assad (until his death in 2000) and his son and successor Bashar al-Assad.[142] Hezbollas has declared his support for the ongoing al-Aqsa intifada.

The cooperation or any relationship between Hezbollah and al-Qaeda has been questioned.[143] Hezbollah's leaders denies links to al-Qaeda, present or past.[144][145] Also some of the al-Qaeda's leaders like Abu Musab al-Zarqawi[146] and Wahhabists clerics consider Hezbollah to be apostate.[147][148] But United States intelligence officials speculate there has been contact between Hezbollah and low-level al-Qaeda figures who fled Afghanistan for Lebanon.[149][150]

Outside views of Hezbollah

Governments disagree on Hezbollah’s status as a legitimate political entity, a terrorist group, or both.

Throughout most of the Arab and Muslim worlds, Hezbollah is highly regarded as a legitimate resistance movement.[151] The Lebanese government confirmed it as a legitimate resistance against occupation.[46][47] Even 74 percent of Lebanese Christians viewed Hezbollah as a resistance organization.[152] The United States, Israel, the Netherlands, Australia and Canada consider Hezbollah wholly or partly a terrorist organization. The United Kingdom says the military wing of Hezbollah is a terrorist group, but not the political side of the organization.[153] The European Union does not list Hezbollah as a "terrorist organization" but does list Imad Mugniyah, Hezbollah's senior Intelligence officer and one of its founders as a terrorist, on its list of wanted terrorists.[154][155] In a non-binding resolution adopted by the European Parliament on 10 March 2005, the MEPs urged the EU Council to brand Hezbollah a terrorist organization. However, the Council has so far been reluctant to do so, as France, Spain, and Britain fear that such a move would further damage the prospects for Middle East peace talks.[156] European legislators branded the Lebanese Hezbollah group a terrorist organization and urged EU governments to place Hezbollah on their terrorist blacklists, as the bloc did with the Palestinian Hamas group in 2003.[157] “EU Parliament considers that clear evidence exists of terrorist activities by Hezbollah. The EU Council should take all necessary steps to curtail them", legislators said in a non-binding resolution adopted during a session in Strasburg, France.[158]

In a 2004 article, Dennis Ross, the Middle East envoy under the first Bush and Clinton administrations, was cited as saying that Hezbollah's resistance to the Israeli occupation, unlike its past activities aimed at Western targets, is not terrorism and that the US included Hezbollah on its list of terrorist groups for Hezbollah's past activities, not for its ongoing resistance to Israel.[159]

Argentine prosecutors hold Hezbollah and their financial supporters in Iran responsible for the 1994 bombing of a Jewish cultural center, described by the Associated Press as "the worst terrorist attack on Argentine soil", in which "[e]ighty-five people were killed and more than 200 others injured."[118]

Lebanon’s majority Shi’a areas, where Hezbollah is most prominent

Public opinion

While al-Qaeda is known throughout the Arab world as a terrorist outfit, Hezbollah is just as widely seen as a legitimate resistance organization that has defended its land against the Israeli occupying force, and consistently stood up to the Israeli army.[160]

According to a poll released by the "Beirut Center for Research and Information" on 26 July during 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict, 87 percent of Lebanese support Hezbollah's fight with Israel, a rise of 29 percent on a similar poll conducted in February. More striking, however, is the level of support for Hezbollah's resistance from non-Shiite communities. Eighty percent of Christians polled supported Hezbollah along with 80 percent of Druze and 89 percent of Sunnis,[161][162] while according to another poll, from July 2005, 74 percent of Christian Lebanese viewed Hezbollah as a resistance organization.[163]

In a poll of Lebanese adults taken in 2004, 6% of respondents gave unqualified support to the statement "Hezbollah should be disarmed". 41% reported unqualified disagreement.[164]

A poll of Palestinians taken in the Gaza Strip indicated that 79.6% had "a very good view" of Hezbollah.[165]

Polls of Jordanian adults in December, 2005 and June, 2006, showed that 63.9% and 63.3%, respectively, considered Hezbollah to be a legitimate resistance organization.[166] In the December, 2005, poll only 6% of Jordanian adults considered Hezbollah to be terrorist.[167]

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. Aug. 3-6, 2006. N=1,002 adults in the US. MoE ± 3 (for all adults). 46% said Israel and Hezbollah are both responsible for the conflict in Lebanon, 39% said Hezbollah is most to blame, while only 7% said Israel is. The same poll found that 58% blamed Hezbollah for the civilian casualties in Lebanon for locating its fighters and rocket launchers in civilian areas, while 21% blame Israel for bombing Hezbollah targets in those areas.[168]

A poll in August 2006 by ABC News and the Washington Post found that an overwhelming majority of the 1,002 people polled blames Hezbollah more than Israel "for the civilian casualties in Lebanon" during the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict.[169] Another August 2006 poll by CNN shows that an overwhelming majority of the 1,067 people polled believe that Hezbollah is "an enemy of the United States."[169] A July 2006 USA Today gallop poll found that an overwhelming majority of the 1,005 people polled blame Hezbollah "a great deal" for the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict more than any of the other political entities asked about (the other entities were Israel, Lebanon, Iran, and Syria), 76% "disapprove of the military action Israel has taken in Lebanon", and that not a single person polled thought "the United States ... should take Hezbollah's side" during the conflict.[169]

Designation as a terrorist organization

The countries below have officially listed Hezbollah in at least some part as a terrorist organization. Some of them (UK and Australia) make a distinction between the group's political and military wings.

List of entities officially designating Hezbollah as "terrorist"
Entity Part(s) designated as "terrorist" Reference
 United States The entire organization Hezbollah [170]
 Canada The entire organization Hezbollah [171]
 Israel The entire organization Hezbollah [172]
 United Kingdom The Hezbollah External Security Organization [173]
 Netherlands The entire organization Hezbollah [174][175]
 Australia The Hezbollah External Security Organization [176]

The European Union does not list Hezbollah, or any group within it, a "terrorist" organization,[177] but the European Parliament passed a resolution recognizing "clear evidence" of "terrorist activities by Hezbollah"[178] and urging the EU Council to brand Hezbollah a terrorist organization and EU governments to place Hezbollah on their terrorist blacklists, as the bloc did with the Palestinian Hamas group in 2003.[179][180] The Council, however, has been reluctant to do this because France, Spain, and Britain fear that such a move would further damage the prospects for Middle East peace talks.[181] The EU Council designates Imad Mugniyah as a terrorist, claiming he is Hezbollah's "Senior Intelligence Officer".[182]

In the midst of the 2006 conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, Russia’s government declined to include Hezbollah in a newly-released list of terrorist organizations, saying that they only list organizations which represent "the greatest threat to the security of [24]".[183] This was a notable omission given Russia’s membership with the US, EU, and UN in the Middle East Quartet. Prior to the release of the list, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov called "on Hezbollah to stop resorting to any terrorist methods including attacking neighboring states."[184]

The Quartet’s fourth member, the United Nations, does not maintain such a list.[185]

Some other countries have criticized Hezbollah, citing terrorist activities, without listing the organization as terrorist. For example, on 24 February 2000, French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin condemned attacks by Hezbollah fighters on Israeli forces in south Lebanon, saying they are "terrorism" and not acts of resistance. "France condemns Hezbollah's attacks, and all types of terrorist attacks which may be carried out against soldiers, or possibly Israel's civilian population."[186] On 29 August 2006, Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema differentiated the wings of Hezbollah: "Besides their well-known responsibilities for terrorist actions, they have a political side, they are engaged in assistance."[187]

Non Governmental Organizations

On September 14, 2006, Amnesty International released a report accusing Hezbollah of war crimes during the 2006 conflict with Israel.[188] Human Rights Watch have similarly accused Hezbollah of war crimes in a report issued on August 5, 2006.[189]

See also

References

  1. ^ Other transliterations include Hizbullah, Hizbollah, Hezballah, Hizballah, Hisbollah, and Hizb Allah.
  2. ^ In English the stress is most commonly placed on the final syllable, as suggested in the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary (this is in accord with the Persian pronunciation, of Iran); in the Arabic of Hezbollah's theatre of operations it is most commonly placed on the second syllable. Hizb (party) is the Modern Standard Arabic pronunciation, and hezb is closer to Persian and Lebanese dialect. The name is derived from a Qur’anic ayat (verse) referring to those who belong to and follow the "party of God" [1].
  3. ^ a b c d e Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1996-04-11). "Hizbullah". Retrieved 2006-08-17. Cite error: The named reference "mfaGOV960411" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b "The Hizballah Program: An Open Letter". Institute for Counterterrorism. 1985-02-16. Retrieved 2006-10-25. The Jerusalem Quarterly, number Forty-Eight, Fall 1988, Early Hezbollah manifesto, in which it formally declares its existence
  5. ^ "Hizbullah: Views and Concepts." Al Mashriq. 20 June 1997. 25 January 2007.
  6. ^ "The Hizballah Program: An Open Letter [to the Downtrodden in Lebanon and the World]". Institute for Counterterrorism. 1985-02-16. Retrieved 2006-08-24.
  7. ^ Preatoni, Robert (2006-08-01). "The war Israel cannot win". Zone-H.
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  9. ^ In pictures: Hezbollah rally BBC
  10. ^ JEANNINE AVERSA (28 August 2006). "Iran 'central banker of terror'". Associated Press. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Text "Accessed 7 September 2006" ignored (help)
  11. ^ a b c d e "Who are Hezbollah?". BBC News. 2002-04-04. Retrieved 2006-08-11. Cite error: The named reference "bbc-hi-me-1908671" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  12. ^ a b c "Hezbollah (a.k.a. Hizbollah, Hizbu'llah)". Council on Foreign Relations. 2002-07-17. Retrieved 2006-10-06.
  13. ^ Deeb, Lara (2006-07-31). "Hizballah: A Primer". Middle East Report. Retrieved 2006-07-31.
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  16. ^ The EU's relations with Lebanon - ec.europa.eu
  17. ^ Russia favors developing joint criteria to define terrorist organizations – presidential official -Interview of Interfax with the Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for International Cooperation in the Fight against Terrorism and Transnational Organized Crime
  18. ^ Russia Outlaws 17 Terror Groups; Hamas, Hezbollah Not Included - Mosnews.com
  19. ^ a b c UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (2006-03-29). "LEBANON: The many hands and faces of Hezbollah". Retrieved 2006-08-17. Cite error: The named reference "irinnews52494" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  20. ^ Sachs, Susan. The New York Times. Helping Hand of Hezbollah Emerging in South Lebanon. March 30, 2000.
  21. ^ Pape, Robert (2005). Dying to win: the strategic logic of suicide terrorism. Random House. ISBN 1-4000-6317-5. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |loc= ignored (help) Specifically: "Suicide Terrorist Campaigns, 1980-2003", Appendix 1. (Page 253 of Australian paperback edition, published by Scribe Publications)
  22. ^ "Who are Hezbollah?". MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Base. 2006-09-27. Retrieved 2006-10-06.
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  27. ^ H. CON. RES. 190, 1st session, 101st congress (1989-08-04). "Expressing the sense of the Congress over the reported murder of Lieutenant Colonel William Higgins and Hezbollah-sponsored terrorism". The Library of Congress. Retrieved 2006-08-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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  31. ^ "Hizballah Terrorist Incidents Since May 2000". Jewish Virtual Library. August 4, 2006. Retrieved 2006-08-7. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  32. ^ H. CON. RES. 190, 1st session, 101st congress (1989-08-04). "Expressing the sense of the Congress over the reported murder of Lieutenant Colonel William Higgins and Hezbollah-sponsored terrorism". The Library of Congress. Retrieved 2006-08-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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  58. ^ "Lebanese prime minister: There will be no coup." CNN.com. 30 November 2006. 30 November 2006
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  89. ^ Preatoni, Robert (2006-08-01). "The war Israel cannot win". Zone-H.
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  94. ^ a b Canada Gazette (2003-02-12). "Canada Gazette Vol. 137, no 1". Retrieved 2006-07-25.
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  96. ^ Seelye, Kate (2005-04-01). "Lebanon's religious mix". PBS Frontline World. Retrieved 2006-07-28.
  97. ^ McClathy Newspapers July 15th, 2006
  98. ^ The Counter-revolution of the Cedars
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  106. ^ "Israelis, Hezbollah Clash Again in Lebanon". AP. July 20, 2006. Retrieved August 7, 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
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  111. ^ The International Institute For Strategic Studies (2006-07-21). "Agence France Presse - Lebanese army faces no-win situation". Retrieved 2006-08-01.
  112. ^ Melman, Yossi (2006-07-21). "The Prying Game". Haaretz.
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  115. ^ Adam Shatz, New York Review of Books, April 29, 2004 In Search of Hezbollah Accessed August 15, 2006
  116. ^ Hezbollah's condemnation of murder of civilians in Egypt and Algeria is described in Saad-Ghorayeb, p. 101.
  117. ^ Usher, Sebastian. "Muted Arab reaction to Berg beheading". BBC News. Retrieved 2006-07-27.
  118. ^ a b "Argentine prosecutors: Arrest former Iranian president." CNN.com, 2006-10-26, 'Prosecutor Alberto Nisman told a news conference that the decision to attack the center "was undertaken in 1993 by the highest authorities of the then-government of Iran." He said the actual attack was entrusted to the Lebanon-based group Hezbollah.'
  119. ^ Adam Shatz, New York Review of Books, April 29, 2004 In Search of Hezbollah Accessed August 15, 2006
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  123. ^ See:
  124. ^ Memri.org
  125. ^ Roee Nahmias (31 August 2006). "Hizbullah presents: How to recruit children". ynetnews.com. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessed= ignored (help)
  126. ^ Time, August 8, 2006 How Hizballah Hijacks the Internet Accessed August 15, 2006
  127. ^ Haaretz, August 3, 2006 Hezbollah reports becoming less and less believable Accessed August 15, 2006
  128. ^ Internet Haganah Table of American Service Providers of Hizballah Accessed August 15, 2006
  129. ^ [15]
  130. ^ Emdad committee for Islamic Charity
  131. ^ Al Jarha Association
  132. ^ Jehad Al Benaa Developmental Association
  133. ^ JoMarie Fecci, Washington Report on Middle East Affairs: Despite End of Lebanon’s Long Civil War, Low-Level Conflict Continues Around Israeli-Occupied Zone'
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  156. ^ http://www.jihadwatch.org/dhimmiwatch/archives/005325.php
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  163. ^ Globalcomment.com - Mohammed Zahid
  164. ^ Angus Reid Global Scan, citing Zogby International / Information International / The Arab American Institute, April 25, 2005 Hezbollah’s Disarmament Pondered In Lebanon Accessed August 14, 2006
  165. ^ Angus Reid Global Scan, citing An-Najah National University, July 29, 2006 Palestinians Hold Hezbollah in High Regard Accessed August 14, 2006
  166. ^ Angus Reid Global Scan, citing Centre for Strategic Studies at the University of Jordan, July 14, 2006 Hamas, Hezbollah Legitimate for Jordanians Accessed August 14, 2006
  167. ^ Angus Reid Global Scan, citing Centre for Strategic Studies at the University of Jordan, January 11, 2006 Jordanians Review Legitimacy of Specific Groups Accessed August 14, 2006
  168. ^ Israel/Palestinians
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  170. ^ "Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs)". United States Department of State. 2005-10-11. Retrieved 2006-07-16. "Current List of Designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations . . . 14. Hizballah (Party of God)".
  171. ^ See:
  172. ^ "Summary of Terrorist Activity 2004". Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 2005-01-05. Retrieved 2006-07-15.
  173. ^ "Proscribed terrorist groups". The Home Office Department, UK. 2005-10-14. Retrieved 2006-07-25. "Home Office"
  174. ^ "beantwoording_toezegging_inzake_de_positie_van_hezbollah" (website). The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. p. 1. Retrieved 2006-10-11.
  175. ^ "Annual Report 2004" (PDF). Netherlands General intelligence and security service.
  176. ^ "Hizballah External Security Organisation Relisted". Australian National Security. 2005-07-18. Retrieved 2006-08-21.
  177. ^ "COUNCIL COMMON POSITION 2005/847/CFSP" (PDF). 29 November 2005. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |publication= ignored (help)
  178. ^ See:
  179. ^ "EU lawmakers label Hezbollah 'terrorist' group".
  180. ^ "EU lawmakers label Hezbollah 'terrorist' group".
  181. ^ http://www.jihadwatch.org/dhimmiwatch/archives/005325.php
  182. ^ "COUNCIL COMMON POSITION 2005/847/CFSP" (PDF). 29 November 2005. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |publication= ignored (help)
  183. ^ "Hezbollah not on Russia's "terrorist" list". Associated Press. Retrieved 2006-08-10. {{cite news}}: Text "date-2006-07-28" ignored (help)
  184. ^ Haaretz (2006-07-15). "Russian defense minister says Hezbollah uses 'terrorist methods' - Haaretz - Israel News". Retrieved 2006-08-07.
  185. ^ United Nations Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Portal Accessed August 7, 2006
  186. ^ French PM lashes Hezbollah 'terrorism'
  187. ^ Italian FM: Hezbollah, Hamas are not al-Qaida
  188. ^ "Israel/Lebanon Under fire: Hizbullah's attacks on northern Israel". Amnesty International. 2006-09-14. Retrieved 2006-09-14.
  189. ^ "srael/Lebanon: Hezbollah Must End Attacks on Civilians". Human Rights Watch. 2006-08-05. Retrieved 2006-10-04.

Literature

  • Bregman, Ahron (2002). Israel's Wars: A History Since 1947. Routledge. ISBN 0-415-28716-2.

Official sites

UN resolutions regarding Lebanon

United States Department of State


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