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<h2><b>Franklin Lamb – Lebanonizing Hezbollah or the obverse? Updating
Resistance Projects</b></h2><font size=2>By
<a href="http://palestinethinktank.com/author/guest-post/">Guest Post</a>
• Dec 1st, 2009 at 13:19 <br>
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<br>
</a></font><font size=3>Dahiyeh, South Beirut - Like many liberation and
resistant movement ‘Manifestos’ ‘Charters’ or ‘Declarations’ issued
to the public early in its founding – the African National Congress,
Palestine Liberation Organization, Hamas, Algerian FLN, and various “Sons
of Liberty” groups during the American Revolution, come to mindHezbollah
has been criticized by its detractors over the years for some language in
its 1985 “Open Letter” manifesto. Some have urged Hezbollah
to remove ‘controversial language” such as the call for an Islamic
Republic in Lebanon – even though the Party has made clear that
establishing an Islamic Republic of Lebanon is no longer a priority and
emphasizing that Lebanon’s diversity is respected, valued and
permanent. Others have called Hezbollah’s 1985 manifesto ‘too
religious” and too dogmatic for a broad international appeal political
document.<br>
<br>
<b>Background to Hezbollah’s issuing yesterday’s “rebirth” Manifesto<br>
</b> <br>
Ideas for Hezbollah’s original 1985 Manifesto evolved over 30 months
following the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon, during which the new
resistance movement worked to establish itself in the turbulent period of
military invasions, occupations and numerous internal and external
conspiracies against it. Many secret discussions were held concerning all
manner of subjects including what the new organization would be called.
Many favored the name “The Islamic Movement of Lebanon” but before the
matter came up for a vote, another of the more than 20 new
local resistance groups preempted that name. Others thought the
name “Nation (<i>Umma</i>) of Hezbollah” was more inclusive. Under time
pressure to agree on a name before the “Open Letter” was to be issued,
the name “Hezbollah”, (“Party of God”) found in the Quran was agreed
upon.<br>
<br>
The Open Letter, addressed to “The Downtrodden in Lebanon and in the
World'" was published on February 16 1985, a date purposely
chosen because it was the first anniversary of the Israeli assassination,
of the much loved pre-Hezbollah resistance organizer Sheik Ragheb
Harb, from the south Lebanon village of Jibsheet.<br>
<br>
Hezbollah first Manifesto was first read at the al-Ouzai Mosque, down the
hill and near the Mediterranean seashore, from the Shatila Palestinian
refugee camp, by one of the founders of Hezbollah, the official spokesman
for the nascent group, Sayeed Ibrahim Amin al-Sayyed, who has served for
28 years on its Shura Council and today heads Hezbollah’s political
council. Perhaps by coincidence, on the same day that Hezbollah’s
public manifesto was issued; Israel began a 10 week withdrawal from 168
towns and villages, comprising 55 percent of South Lebanon.<br>
<br>
(Comment: With respect to Shatila Camp and neighboring Burj al
Barajneh campand later Rashidiyye Camp down south in Tyre -it was
several weeks following Hezbollah ‘going public’ that the “War of the
Camps” (May 1985-July 1988) would cause more death and destruction
to Palestinians than the Sabra-Shatila Massacre. Despite pressure
from their fellow Shia – the Amal militia – to join them in attacking the
Camps to settle plenty of still festering pre-1982 scores from PLO abuses
and crimes against the southern Shia, as well as to help Syria eliminate
pro-Arafat partisans and gain sole control of the “Palestinian Card”, the
newly organized Hezbollah insisted that its only enemies were the Israeli
occupiers, which it was busy attacking. At the same time it
repeatedly admonished Amal and Syria to end their assaults on Palestinian
refugee camps. Eventually Syria, under Soviet and Arab pressure,
called a halt to the criminal attacks, but to this day few Palestinians
have forgiven it for this slaughter which killed more than 4,000 and
wounded close to 7,000. Like Amal, Syria does not like to
discuss this black chapter and some of its officials express regret and
shame.)<br>
<br>
With its “Open Letter” declaration Hezbollah entered a new phase,
shifting the Party from secret resistance activity free from political or
media interactions into public political work.<br>
<br>
As noted above, from the day it was promulgated, some have been
advising the Party to amend and ‘tone down’ the 1985 language which
reflects a different period of Lebanese history and international
conflict. Others aver that we are still in the same period only
more deeply. The original Hezbollah manifesto document reflects various
views of the founders as well as the political thinking of senior Shia
cleric Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah. Some in Dahiyeh still call Fadlallah
“the father of Hezbollah” not for his active Party involvement which has
never existed Hezbollah sources attest (not withstanding his name on the
US terrorism list) but for his public speeches and sermons that inspired
a generation of Resistance fighters in Lebanon and the region and
continue to do so.<br>
<br>
<b>Need for a clearer view of the Resistance<br>
</b> <br>
Some critics have used the Introduction to Hezbollah’s 1985 “Open Letter”
to smear the Party as religious fanatics and appearing too ‘foreign’ and
too Iranian:<br>
<br>
It reads: “We are often asked: Who are we, the Hezbollah, and
what is our identity?<br>
We are the sons of the <i>umma </i>(Muslim community) – the party of God
(<i>Hizb Allah</i>) 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<i> faqih</i> (jurist) who
fulfills all the necessary conditions: Ruhollah Musawi Khomeini. God save
him!<br>
<br>
By virtue of the above, we do not constitute an organized and closed
party in Lebanon.<br>
nor are we a tight political cadre. We are an <i>umma</i> linked to the
Muslims of the whole<br>
World by the solid doctrinal and religious connection of Islam, whose
message God<br>
wanted to be fulfilled by the Seal of the Prophets, i.e., Muhammad. This
is why whatever touches or strikes the Muslims in Afghanistan, Iraq, the
Philippines and elsewhere reverberates throughout the whole Muslim
<i>umma </i>of which we are an integral part. Our behavior is dictated to
us by legal principles laid down by the light of an overall political
conception defined by the leading jurist (<i>wilayat
al-faqih</i>).<br><br>
As for our culture, it is based on the Holy Koran, the Sunna and the
legal rulings of the<br>
faqih who is our source of imitation (<i>marja' al-taqlid</i>). Our
culture is crystal clear. It is<br>
not complicated and is accessible to all.<br>
<br>
Some Party officials, as well as supporters, felt Hezbollah needed to
issue a new document that would provide a clearer and wider vision on the
resistance and its current political work and future social and
ideological plan.<br>
<br>
Against this backdrop, Hezbollah’s 7th Party Conference drafted a more
contemporary 32 page Manifesto reflecting 28 years of political
maturity. Not to recant its 25 year old “Open Letter” but rather to
define issues not addressed in the party’s first manifesto and to set its
future political path for “homeland of our fathers, ancestors,
grandchildren, and the coming generations."<br>
<br>
The detailed document, in Four Parts, provides many specifics on how
Hezbollah plans to work with the new Unity Government to improve Lebanon
and the lives of its entire population.<br>
<br>
<b>Misleading mainstream media reports<br>
</b> <br>
For many who rely on MSM reports such as offered by US and European ‘news
outlets’ a dramatically skewed view was presented the morning
after yesterday’s release of what Hezbollah’s new political
program as a large news conference in al Jinen Hall in Dahiyeh.
<br>
<br>
A typical MSM report on yesterday’s event:<br>
Beirut, Lebanon (CNN) – “Hezbollah's chief on Monday announced the
group's new "manifesto," which calls on all countries to
"liberate Jerusalem" and declares the United States a threat to
the world.<br><br>
"American terrorism is the source of every terrorism in the
world," Hassan Nasrallah said in a televised speech from an
undisclosed location. Hezbollah, a political party in Lebanon, is listed
as a terrorist organization by the United States and Israel.<br>
Nasrallah does not appear in public amid concerns for his safety.
"We invite and call on all Arabs and Muslims and all countries keen
on peace and stability in the world to intensify efforts and resources to
liberate Jerusalem from Zionist occupation and to maintain its true
identity and its Islamic and Christian sanctities," Nasrallah
said.<br><br>
Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for numerous terrorist attacks. It
has been linked to attacks against American, Israeli and other Western
targets….He praised Iran and Syria, which are Hezbollah's chief
backers”.<br><br>
Only then is the reader advised that Hassan Nasrallah “also touched on
domestic issues.” In fact Hassan Nasrallah spoke for 80 minutes about
domestic issues, the subject of and reason for the new Hezbollah
manifesto.<br>
<br>
<b>What the mainstream media failed to report.<br><br>
</b>Hezbollah’s new political program calls for “The elimination of
political sectarianism as the main pre-condition to establish a true
democracy as the Taif Accord stipulated and the formation of a national
council for this end.” The Hezbollah manifesto blames sectarianism “for
being a strong obstacle to achieving a true democracy, whereby the
elected majority can rule and the opposition can exercise its
role.”<br><br>
Despite Hezbollah’s desire for a sectarian-free democracy, Nasrallah said
that until achieving it, his party accepts “consensus democracy” pursuant
to the Constitution and National Pact. “Consensus democracy is a suitable
political formula that ensures the participation of all parties,” he
noted.<br><br>
Focusing extensively on the domestic level, Hezbollah, acting as a fully
fledged political party, urged the implementation of administrative
decentralization in order to promote balanced developmental projects over
all Lebanese territories. It warned against the evolution of
decentralization into any form of federalism as he expressed the party’s
opposition to any form of division, or masked federalism.<br><br>
"We want a government that works for its citizens and provides the
appropriate services in their education and medical care and housing to
secure a decent life and to address the problem of poverty and provide
employment opportunities,” the document reads. "We want a government
that works to strengthen the role of women in society and enhance their
participation in all fields.”<br><br>
Nasrallah outlined his party’s vision for the Lebanese state, saying it
must “guarantee public liberties, ensure national unity and protect its
sovereignty and independence with a strong and capable army.” He stressed
the importance of “modern” institutions, an economy built on agriculture
and industry and a strong judiciary.<br><br>
Hezbollah’s new manifesto also calls for a modern electoral law with
“accurate electoral representation” and added that the state needs to
cater to its citizens’ needs, empower the youth and women and prioritize
education.<br><br>
The new document maps out the party’s policy on a national defense
strategy, saying that Lebanon needs to confront Israeli threats with a
popular resistance supported by the people and a national army that
ensures the country’s stability and security. "In the absence of
strategic balance, the Israeli threat obliges Lebanon to endorse a
defensive strategy that depends on a popular resistance participating in
defending the country and an army that preserves the security of the
country in an integrated manner," added Hezbollah’s
Secretary-General. “Adopting the choice of the Resistance allowed Lebanon
to achieve real independence and safeguard its sovereignty,” he
added.<br><br>
Hezbollah’s new political manifesto emphatically declares that the
Palestinians have the right to resist through all forms, primarily armed
struggle. It pledges Hezbollah’s work with all the Lebanese parties
to grant Palestinian refugees in Lebanon “their civil and social rights,”
while rejecting naturalization. It also calls for “direct
Lebanese-Palestinian dialogue.” Nasrallah cited the 2000 Israeli
withdrawal from the South, their 2005 withdrawal from Gaza, the 2006 July
War, the first and second Intifadas as well as the Hamas takeover of
Gaza, and the 2009 Gaza War as victories against Israel.<br><br>
“We assure our constant and continuous support of the Palestinian people
and cause against Israel,” he added.<br><br>
Hezbollah new manifesto also calls on “Arab leaders to review their
agreements with Israel and give up the idea of compromising with it,
especially those who gambled on US administration policies.” Nasrallah
added that “Israel has proved that is does not seek peace and uses
negotiations to impose its conditions and to achieve its gains.”
Hezbollah hopes the Arab and Islamic countries would “unite and commit to
the liberation of the land and reject the alternatives of naturalization
of Palestinians.”<br><br>
We call on the Arabs to set plans to liberate Palestinians in Israeli
prisons,” Nasrallah added.<br><br>
In its new political declaration, Hezbollah discusses Lebanon’s foreign
relations, and calls for the country to “maintain its special relations
with Syria because it is a political, security and economic need dictated
by the two countries’ interests.” It declares that any “negative
atmosphere” clouding these relations must be removed”.<br><br>
According to Hezbollah, Lebanon’s relations with Syria are part of the
country’s overall relations with the Arab world and its confrontation
with Israel. “Lebanon is Arab in nature and belonging” and added that its
interests “necessitate a commitment to just Arab causes.” He called some
Arab countries’ disputes with Iran as a “stab to the back of Arab causes
that only serves Israel and the US.”<br><br>
Hezbollah’s new manifesto also stresses the importance of cooperation
between Islamic countries and described Iran as an “important, central
state in the Islamic world… which supports resistance movements in our
area and supports Arab and Islamic causes.” He added that the
“fabrications of contradictions” between Iran and Arab countries is a
“stab in the back to the Arab cause, which serves only Israel and the
US.” <br><br>
As Hezbollah declares and initiates its outlined future work deep within
the Lebanese polity, initial Lebanese and international reactions appear
positive according to Hezbollah’s media office. The party now plans to
enlist support for its new manifesto, distributing copies north, east and
west, while keeping many eyes peeled along the southern border with
occupied Palestine.<br><br>
This morning’s Daily Star reports in an exclusive interview with David
Miliband, the UK’s Foreign Minister, that his country intends to increase
contacts and dialogue with Hezbollah’s politicians with European Union
members considering the same. Meanwhile, this morning’s Naharnet.com news
bulletin reports that the U.S. Embassy “has denied media reports that
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Jeffrey
Feltman will visit Beirut this week.” According to the same
report, “The embassy also denied an al-Markaziya news agency's report
that the Obama administration would most probably replace Michele Sison
as U.S. ambassador to Beirut”.<br>
<br>
Franklin Lamb is doing research in Lebanon and can be reached at
<a href="mailto:fplamb@gmail.com">fplamb@gmail.com</a><br><br>
<br><br>
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