TheSmithViewpoint

Hezbollah picks up the pieces

The softer side of Hezbollah
I am stunned by the new demeanor taken on by Hezbollah after the cease-fire, which almost looks better than FEMA.

Hezbollah has temporarily put aside its role as a terrorist organization, and has now taken on its role as a social services organization of volunteers. Hezbollah was quick to the punch in heading off the Lebanese government in putting back together the broken fragments of Lebanon.

The New York Times' John Kifner reports¹ that Hezbollah will most likely become the "beneficiary", as Hezbollah has now stepped up, and is "dominating the efforts to rebuild" homes and infrastructure damaged or destroyed by Israeli attacks. Not surprisingly, these rebuilding efforts are being financed primarily by Iran.

"While the Israelis began their withdrawal," notes Kifner, "hundreds of Hezbollah members spread over dozens of villages across southern Lebanon began cleaning, organizing and surveying damage."

Hezbollah volunteers are even proactively knocking on the doors of residential homes, inquiring as to what help might be needed. It has been reported that Hezbollah is giving $10,000 - 12,000 to each Lebanese family who were victims of the attacks.

It is perhaps a strategic facade being displayed, but this is something rarely, if ever, seen in a terrorist organization. Unlike the deadly conflicts between Muslim sects as seen in Iraq and other countries, Hezbollah is not attacking, but uniting with the Lebanese people from whom they eventually gain trust, support and loyalty. With respect to any foreseeable end to its conflict with Israel, this is not good news -- this is very bad news.

Refugees heading back home
A BBC News article² points out that "an estimated half-a-million people are [now] on the move" to return home, uncertain as to what they will find, and major roads have become "clogged with a constant stream of vehicles."

More significantly, a number of these vehicles have been "decorated with the yellow flag of Hezbollah or posters of its leader, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah." Although they are coming home to "scenes of utter devastation," says BBC, the refugees are nevertheless "jubilant."

This is reminiscent of when New Orleans residents finally returned home from neighboring cities and states in a convoy of buses and cars, cheering, singing, and waiving American flags out of windows. Wait!! Please disregard that report, as it has not yet been confirmed, and possibly never happened.

A reliable reinforcement
Hezbollah has become a, if not the, stronghold for the Lebanese people. And this is a new challenge for the West with regard to public opinion in Lebanon and other Arab states as well as the rest of the world.

Unless the UN and world leaders lend immediate support to the government of Lebanon directly by affording them the resources needed to secure and rebuild a nation broken by Israel, the scale of confidence of the Lebanese people will tip dramatically toward Hezbollah. This would surely produce results similar to the democratic election of Hamas in Palestine.

posted by Smith @ 8/16/2006 09:11:00 AM