Hezbollah
(Hezbollah flag)
Leader	Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah
Founded	1982 - 1985 (officially)
Religion	Shi'a Islam
Political ideology	Islamism
Nationality	Lebanese
Website	Varies. The Flag of Hezbollah, while sometimes found in different colours is usually composed of the green logo of the Shi'a political/military organization Hezbollah For the Lost character please see Sayid Jarrah Sayyid ( ar سيد) (plural Saadah is an Honorific title Hassan Nasrallah ( حسن نصرالله) (b August 31 1960, Bourj Hammoud, Beirut, Lebanon) is the current Secretary Islamism ( Islam + ism; Arabic: al-'islāmiyya) a set of ideologies holding that Islam is not only Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية See List of official sites.

Hezbollah^[1] (Arabic: حزب الله‎ ḥizba-llāh,^[2] literally "party of God") is a Shi'a Islamic political and paramilitary organisation based in Lebanon. Arabic (ar الْعَرَبيّة (informally ar عَرَبيْ) in terms of the number of speakers is the largest living member of the Semitic language A political party is a Political organization that seeks to attain and maintain political power within Government, usually by participating in electoral Allah ( Arabic: الله, ʔalˤːɑːh) is the standard Arabic word for ' For other meanings including people named 'Islam' see Islam (disambiguation. A paramilitary is a force whose function and organization are similar to those of a professional military force but which are not regarded as having the same status Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية The group's official name in Arabic is Hizb Allah Al-moqawama Al-Islamiyah fi Lubnan. Arabic (ar الْعَرَبيّة (informally ar عَرَبيْ) in terms of the number of speakers is the largest living member of the Semitic language ^[3]

Hezbollah first emerged during the Lebanese Civil War in the early 1980s as a militia of Shia followers of the Ayatollah Khomeini, trained, organized and funded by a contingent of Iranian Revolutionary Guards. The Lebanese Civil War (1975–1990 was a multifaceted Civil war whose antecedents can be traced back to the conflicts and political compromises reached after the end Seyyed Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini ( Persian:, pronounced muːsæviː-je xomejniː}}( September 24, 1902 – June 3 1989 The Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution ( Sepáh e Pásdárán e Enqeláb e Eslámi) is an ideologically motivated branch of the Islamic Republic of Iran's ^[4] In its 1985 manifesto Hezbollah listed its three main goals as the eradication of "Western colonialism" in Lebanon, the bringing to justice of those who committed atrocities during the war (specifically the Phalangists), and the establishment of an Islamic government in Lebanon. The term Western world, the West or the Occident ( Latin: occidens -sunset -west as distinct from the Orient) can have multiple meanings See Colony and Colonization for examples of colonialism which do not refer to Western colonialism The Lebanese Kataeb Party ( Arabic: الكتائب اللبنانية Kataeb is the Plural of Katiba which is a translation into Arabic of the Greek word Islamic Republic is the name given to several states in the Muslim world including the Islamic Republics of Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Mauritania ^[5][6][7] Since then Hezbollah has temporarily abandoned the goal of transforming Lebanon into an Islamic state at this time. ^[4] Hezbollah leaders have also made numerous statements calling for the destruction of Israel, which they describe as an unlawful "entity". ^[5][6][7]

Six countries officially list Hezbollah or its security arm as a terrorist organization: the United States, the United Kingdom, Israel, Canada, the Netherlands, and Australia, though its designation as such is not unanimous among world powers (perhaps most notably, the European Union). Many organizations that are accused of being a terrorist organization deny using Terrorism as a Military tactic to achieve their goals and there is no international The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Israel topics. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. ^[8] Hezbollah enjoys popular support as a legitimate resistance movement in most of the Arab and Muslim worlds. A resistance movement is a group or collection of individual groups dedicated to fighting an Invader in an occupied country or the government of a sovereign nation ^[3]

Hezbollah maintains strong support among Lebanon's Shi'a population, and gained a surge of support from Lebanon's general population immediately following the 2006 Lebanon War,^[9] and has mobilized demonstrations of hundreds of thousands. Background See also Israel-Lebanon conflict The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO had engaged in cross-border attacks from Southern Lebanon ^[10][11][12] According to UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Hezbollah receives its financial support mainly from the donations of Lebanese Shi’ites. "OCHA" redirects there See Ocha for other possible meanings "According to frequent accounts in the western press, the group also receives considerable support from Iran and Syria". ^[13] Hezbollah has "operated with Syria's blessing" since the end of the Civil War. Syria ( سوريّة or) officially the Syrian Arab Republic (Arabic ar الجمهورية العربية السورية ^[10][14] Hezbollah, which started with only a militia, has grown to an organization with seats in the Lebanese government, a radio and a satellite television-station, and programs for social development. Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية Al-Manar (المنار The Beacon) is the satellite Television station of Hezbollah, broadcasting from Beirut, Social development redirects here For the aspect of Human biological development, see Psychosocial development Social change is a general term which ^[15] Since 1992, the organization has been headed by Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, its Secretary-General. For the Lost character please see Sayid Jarrah Sayyid ( ar سيد) (plural Saadah is an Honorific title Hassan Nasrallah ( حسن نصرالله) (b August 31 1960, Bourj Hammoud, Beirut, Lebanon) is the current Secretary See also General Secretary. A number of International organizations, Communist parties and other bodies use the title Secretary

Hezbollah

Articles Flag of Hezbollah Ideology History Political activities Military activities Imam al-Mahdi Scouts Rocket force Foreign relations Funding of Hezbollah Hezbollah's organizations: Bayt al-Mal Jihad Al Binna IRSO Media: Al-Manar Al-Nour Secretary General: Subhi al-Tufayli Abbas al-Musawi Hassan Nasrallah

Background

Main article: History of Hezbollah

Map of southern Lebanon, featuring the Blue Line and Litani River, 2006. The Flag of Hezbollah, while sometimes found in different colours is usually composed of the green logo of the Shi'a political/military organization Hezbollah The ideology of Hezbollah has been summarized as Shi'i radicalism. Origins Hezbollah originated within the Shiite block of Lebanon society which has lived there for more than a millennium Along with the Amal Movement, Hezbollah is one of the two main parties representing the Shia community Lebanon's largest religious bloc 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 groups some of The Imam al-Mahdi Scouts ( كشافة الإمام المهدي) are a youth movement of the Hezbollah in Lebanon, named for Muhammad al-Mahdi Although UN Security Council Resolution 1559, calls for "the disbanding and disarmament of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese Militia " The funding of Hezbollah (meaning party of GOD partly occurs through donations Bayt al-Mal, AKA Bayt al-Mal Lil Muslimeen is a Hezbollah -controlled organization that performs financial services for the organization Jihad Al Binna Developmental Association (JBDA is the non-governmental organization run by Hezbollah in Lebanon. ' Islamic Resistance Support Association' officially known in هيئة دعم المقاومة الاسلامية في لبنان or Hay'at Da'am al-Muqawama al-Islamiya fi Lubnan Al-Manar (المنار The Beacon) is the satellite Television station of Hezbollah, broadcasting from Beirut, Al-Nour is a pro- Hezbollah radio station based in Beirut, Lebanon. This is a partial list of Secretary-Generals of Hezbollah since 1989 List of Secretary-Generals of Hezbollah Sheikh Subhi al-Tufayli is a former secretary-general of Hezbollah. Abbas al-Musawi ( Arabic عباس الموسوي(c1952&ndash February 16 1992) was an influential Muslim cleric and leader of Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah ( حسن نصرالله) (b August 31 1960, Bourj Hammoud, Beirut, Lebanon) is the current Secretary Origins Hezbollah originated within the Shiite block of Lebanon society which has lived there for more than a millennium The Blue Line is a border demarcation between Lebanon and Israel published by the United Nations on 7 June 2000 for the The Litani River (نهر الليطاني transliterated: Nahr al-Līţānī classical name Leontes is an important waterway in southern Lebanon

Hezbollah alongside with Amal is one of two major political parties in Lebanon that represent the Shiite Muslims. For other uses of Amal see the disambiguation page. Amal Movement ( Arabic: abbreviation of أفواج المقاومة اللبنانية transliterated About 91% of the population of Lebanon is urban and comprises many different ethnic groups and religions including numerous Christian and Muslim sects It holds 14 of the 128 seats in Lebanon's Parliament and is a member of the Resistance and Development Bloc. The Parliament of Lebanon (known as Le Parlement in Lebanon is the Lebanese national legislature. The March 8 Alliance is a coalition of various political parties in Lebanon.

Hezbollah organizes an extensive social development program and runs hospitals, news services, and educational facilities. ^[13] Its Reconstruction Campaign ('Jihad Al Binna') is responsible for numerous economic and infrastructure development projects in Lebanon. Jihad Al Binna Developmental Association (JBDA is the non-governmental organization run by Hezbollah in Lebanon. ^[16]

Ending Israel's occupation of Southern Lebanon was the primary focus of Hezbollah's early activities. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Israel topics. ^[10] Israel had become militarily involved in Lebanon in combat with the Palestine Liberation Organization, which had moved into Southern Lebanon after being ousted from Jordan. Background See also Israel-Lebanon conflict Though it took the form of an Israeli military incursion into Southern Lebanon, Operation Litani was grounded The Palestine Liberation Organization ( PLO) (منظمة التحرير الفلسطينية or Munazzamat al-Tahrir al-Filastiniyyah) is a political and paramilitary September 1970 is known as the Black September ( in Arab history and sometimes is referred to as the "era of regrettable events The PLO had been 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. Beirut (بيروت Bayrūt) is the Capital and Largest city of Lebanon with a population of over 2

Then Hezbollah tried to expel Israel from Lebanon. At the beginning, it had used suicide attacks against the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and against Israeli targets outside of Lebanon. See also Martyrdom in Islam Istishhad (استشهاد means the seeking of or the act of Martyrdom, martyrdom being defined as a military or insurgent attack The Israel Defense Forces ( IDF) (צְבָא הַהֲגָנָה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, lit ^[17] Hezbollah is reputed to have been among the first Islamic resistance groups to use tactical suicide bombing, assassination and capturing against foreign soldiers in the Middle East. ^[4][10] But gradually, Hezbollah turned into a paramilitary organization and used missiles, Katyusha and other type of rocket launchers and detonations of explosive charges^[18][19] instead of capturings,^[20][21][22] murders,^[21] hijackings,^[23] and bombings. Katyusha multiple rocket launchers (Катюша are a type of Rocket artillery originally built and fielded by the Soviet Union in the Second World War ^[23][24][25] Hezbollah has been subject to assassination and abduction by Israel as well. ^[23] Hezbollah's violent acts are characterized by some countries as terrorist attacks, while others regard them as a resistance movement engaged in defensive Jihad. Terrorism is the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion A resistance movement is a group or collection of individual groups dedicated to fighting an Invader in an occupied country or the government of a sovereign nation There are two types of armed religious warfare in Islam namely the defensive jihad and the Offensive jihad. "^[26][27] Human rights organizations Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have accused Hezbollah of committing war crimes against Israeli civilians,^[28] in which in the same article, they also accused Israel of war crimes but against Lebanese civilians. Amnesty International (commonly known as Amnesty or AI) is a Western based international Non-governmental organization which defines its mission as "to Human Rights Watch is a United States -based international Non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on Human rights. War crimes are "violations of the laws or customs of war" including but not limited to "murder the ill-treatment or deportation of civilian residents of an occupied A civilian under International humanitarian law is a person who is not a member of his or her Country 's Armed forces.

The United States, Israel, and four other countries consider Hezbollah wholly or partly a terrorist organization. Many organizations that are accused of being a terrorist organization deny using Terrorism as a Military tactic to achieve their goals and there is no international The European Union does not list Hezbollah as a "terrorist organization",^[29] but does list the late Imad Mugniyah, a senior member and founder of Hezbollah, as a terrorist. The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in Imad Fayez Mughniyah ( December 7, 1962 - February 12, 2008) also Transcribed Mughniyya ^[30]

In contrast, supporters of Hezbollah justify Hezbollah's attacks against Israel on several grounds. Firstly, Hezbollah justifies its operations against Israel as reciprocal to Israeli operations against Lebanese civilians and as retaliation for Israel's occupation of Lebanese territory. Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية ^[31][32][26] 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. Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية On March 19, 1978, five days after the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, United Nations Security Council Resolution 425 called on Although Israel withdrew from Lebanon in 2000, and their complete withdrawal was verified by the United Nations, Lebanon now considers the Shebaa farms—a 26 km² (10-mi²) piece of land 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. The United Nations ( UN) is an International organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in International law, International security Golan Heights The Shebaa Farms (مزارع شبعا; חוות שבעא Havot Sheba‘a or הר דוב Har Dov) is a small area of land with disputed Syria ( سوريّة or) officially the Syrian Arab Republic (Arabic ar الجمهورية العربية السورية Additionally, Hezbollah has identified three Lebanese prisoners held in Israeli jails who it wants released. Lebanese prisoners in Israel have been a source of contention between Lebanon and Israel and were an issue in the 2006 Lebanon War. ^[33] Finally, Hezbollah and others among the Muslim world consider Israel to be 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. There are two types of armed religious warfare in Islam namely the defensive jihad and the Offensive jihad. ^[23][34] Although some Arab states (Egypt, Jordan, and 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,"^[35] Hezbollah is regarded as a legitimate resistance movement throughout much of Lebanese society and the Arab and Muslim world, with an emphasis on "calls for the destruction of Israel. This article is about the country of Egypt For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Egypt topics. Jordan, officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (الأردنّ al-Urdunn) is an Arab country in Southwest Asia spanning the southern The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, KSA ( المملكة العربية السعودية, al-Mamlaka al-ʻArabiyya as-Suʻūdiyya) or Suudi For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Israel topics. "^[36] Three-quarters of Lebanese Christians identified Hezbollah as a legitimate group in challenging Israeli aggression. ^[37][38]

Ideology

Main article: Hezbollah Ideology

On February 16, 1985, Sheik Ibrahim al-Amin issued Hezbollah's manifesto. The ideology of Hezbollah has been summarized as Shi'i radicalism. Events 1249 - Andrew of Longjumeau is dispatched by Louis IX of France as his ambassador to meet with the Khan of the Mongols Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) According to this manifesto (titled "An Open Letter: The Hizballah Program"), the three objectives of the organization are:^[5]

• To expel Americans, the French and their allies (sic) definitely from Lebanon, putting an end to any colonialist entity on our land. Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية See Colony and Colonization for examples of colonialism which do not refer to Western colonialism
• To submit the phalanges to a just power and bring them all to justice for the crimes they have perpetrated against Muslims and Christians.
• To permit all the sons of our people to determine their future and to choose in all the liberty 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.

The 1985 manifesto makes it clear that Hezbollah intends to use armed force to achieve these goals and phrases its argument for this measure through the language of defensive jihad. There are two types of armed religious warfare in Islam namely the defensive jihad and the Offensive jihad. ^[39]

Hezbollah's Shi'a Islamic doctrine

Hezbollah was formed in the early eighties, largely with the aid of the Ayatollah Khomeini's followers, in order to spread Islamic revolution. Ayatollah ( Persian: آيت‌الله, âyato-llâh, from Arabic: آية الله, āyatu 'llāh, meaning 'the sign of Seyyed Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini ( Persian:, pronounced muːsæviː-je xomejniː}}( September 24, 1902 – June 3 1989 The Iranian Revolution' (mostly known as the Islamic Revolution, Persian: انقلاب اسلامی Enghelābe Eslāmi was the Revolution that transformed ^[40] It follows a distinct version of Islamic Shi'a ideology (“Willayat Al-Faqih”) developed by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, leader of the Islamic Revolution of Iran. For other meanings including people named 'Islam' see Islam (disambiguation. Islamic leadership|Ja'fari jurisprudence Guardianship of the Islamic Jurists ( Arabic: ولاية الفقيه, Persian: ولایت فقیه Ayatollah ( Persian: آيت‌الله, âyato-llâh, from Arabic: آية الله, āyatu 'llāh, meaning 'the sign of Seyyed Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini ( Persian:, pronounced muːsæviː-je xomejniː}}( September 24, 1902 – June 3 1989 The Iranian Revolution' (mostly known as the Islamic Revolution, Persian: انقلاب اسلامی Enghelābe Eslāmi was the Revolution that transformed ^[3]

Translated excerpts from Hezbollah's original 1985 manifesto read:

We are the sons of the umma (Muslim community) . . .
. . . We are an ummah 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. Muslims regard as Prophets of Islam ( Arabic: نبي) those non-divine humans chosen by Allah as Prophets e. , Prophet Muhammad. IMPORTANT PLEASE READ ##### For all questions relating to the addition of (pbuh peace be upon him or other honorifics Our behavior is dictated to us by legal principles laid down by the light of an overall political conception defined by the leading jurist. Sharia ( Arabic: ar شريعة) is the body of Islamic Religious law. . . . As for our culture, it is based on the Holy Quran, the Sunna and the legal rulings of the faqih who is our source of imitation. The Qur’an ( القرآن, literally "the recitation" also sometimes transliterated as Qur’ān, Koran, Alcoran A Faqih (plural Fuqaha') (فقيه pl فقهاء is an expert in Fiqh, or Islamic Jurisprudence. . . ^[5]

Although Hezbollah originally aimed to transform Lebanon into an Islamic republic, this goal has been abandoned. Islamic Republic is the name given to several states in the Muslim world including the Islamic Republics of Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Mauritania 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. And this is not available in Lebanon and probably never will be. "^[4] Doubts, however, remain. ^[14][41][42] Since that time, Hezbollah has transformed from a revolutionary movement to a socio-political movement of Lebanese Shia and has accepted the multi-cultural situation of Lebanon. This transformation is known as "Lebanonization". ^[43] However, Hezbollah is not satisfied with the multi-confessional quotas under the Ta'if Accord, due to the fact that Shia's position in the state is lower than its proportion of population. Confessionalism is a System of government that distributes political and institutional power proportionally among religious communities The Taif Agreement ( Arabic: اتفاقية الطائف) (also "National Reconciliation Accord" or "Document of National Accord" was an agreement Hezbollah believes in a one-person-one-vote system, but does not intend to force it onto the other minorities. ^[44]

Attitudes, statements, and actions concerning Israel

Billboard in Southern Lebanon depicting Hezbollah combatant "martyrs. " Note the image of the Jerusalem's Dome of the Rock accompanied by an image of Hassan Nasrallah in the center of the billboard.

From the inception of Hezbollah to the present,^{[4][5][45][46][47]} the elimination of the State of Israel has been one of Hezbollah's primary 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 English translation, nor those found on Hezbollah's website include the statement. In an interview with the Washington Post, Nasrallah said "I am against any reconciliation with Israel. The Washington Post is the largest and most circulated Newspaper in Washington D I do not even recognize the presence of a state that is called 'Israel. '"^[48] Throughout its history, Hezbollah has made statements and actions against the United States, in part because of the United States' support for Israel. ^[49]

In 1993, during the Oslo peace process, Nasrallah and several other top Hezbollah generals came out staunchly opposed to any final peace agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians to the point that they accused Palestinian National Authority President Yasser Arafat of blasphemy and treachery to the Muslim people. Israeli-Palestinian conflict The Oslo Accords, officially called the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements or Declaration of Principles The President of the Palestinian National Authority ( رئيس السلطة الوطنية الفلسطينية) is the highest-ranking political position (equivalent to Mohammed Abdel Rahman Abdel Raouf Arafat al-Qudwa al-Husseini ( Arabic: محمد عبد الرؤوف عرفات القدوة الحسيني (August 24 1929 – November 11 ^[50]

Israel's occupation of the Shebaa Farms, along with the presence of Lebanese prisoners in Israeli jails, is often cited as justification – and invoked as a pretext, according to many^[51][52][53] – for Hezbollah's continued hostilities against Israel even after Israel's verified withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000. Golan Heights The Shebaa Farms (مزارع شبعا; חוות שבעא Havot Sheba‘a or הר דוב Har Dov) is a small area of land with disputed Lebanese prisoners in Israel have been a source of contention between Lebanon and Israel and were an issue in the 2006 Lebanon War. Hezbollah's spokesperson Hassan Ezzedin, however, had this to say about an Israeli withdrawal from Shebaa Farms:

"If they go from Shebaa, we won't 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. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. 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. '"^[54]

In a 2003 interview, Nasrallah answered questions concerning the renewed peace talks between the Palestinians and the Israelis, stating that he would not interfere in what he regarded as ". . .  primarily a Palestinian matter. " However, in his speeches to his followers, he provides rationalizations for suicide bombings. ^[55] Similarly, in 2004, when asked whether he was prepared to live with a two-state settlement between Israel and Palestine, Nasrallah said again that he would not sabotage what is finally a ". . .  Palestinian matter. "^[4] He also said that outside of Lebanon, Hezbollah would act only in a defensive manner towards Israeli forces, and that Hezbollah's missiles were acquired to deter attacks on Lebanon. ^[56]

Anti-Zionism

According to Joseph Alagha, Hezbollah has declared that it distinguishes between Zionism and Judaism. History of Zionism|Timeline of Zionism|World Zionist Organization|Zionist political violence Zionism is an international political movement that originally supported the Judaism (from the Greek Ioudaïsmos, derived from the Hebrew יהודה Yehudah, " Judah " in Hebrew יַהֲדוּת Yahedut It considers the Jews as People of the book and only regards the Jews living in Israel, either civilian or not, as racist Zionists. PLEASE TAKE NOTE************ This article is about the theological concept in Islam. For the novel by Geraldine Brooks see People of the Book (novel. History of Zionism|Timeline of Zionism|World Zionist Organization|Zionist political violence Zionism is an international political movement that originally supported the Hezbullah claims to neither discriminate against the Jews as a religion nor as a race. Alagha concluded that Hezbollah is not anti-Semitic in its overall orientation. ^[57]

However the group has been known to use anti-Semitic rhetoric and fallacious accusations that Jews are deliberately spreading AIDS. ^{[58][59][60][61]} The Hezbollah-owned and operated television station Al-Manar was criticized for airing "anti-Semitic propaganda" in the form of a television drama depicting a Jewish world domination conspiracy. Al-Manar (المنار The Beacon) is the satellite Television station of Hezbollah, broadcasting from Beirut, A Conspiracy is defined by law as an agreement by two or more persons to commit a crime fraud or other wrongful act ^[62][63][64] Hezbollah also used antisemitic educational materials designed for 5-year-old scouts. ^[65][66]

In 1996, Hezbollah called on "Muslim believers to boycott the movie" Independence Day due to the fact that a Jewish character played by Jeff Goldblum helps save the world from an alien invasion. Independence Day (also known by its promotional abbreviation ID4) is a 1996 Science fiction film about a hostile Alien invasion Jeffrey Lynn Goldblum (born October 22, 1952) is an Academy Award -nominated American actor Hezbollah called the science fiction movie "propaganda for the so-called genius of the Jews and their alleged concern for humanity. " Goldblum responded that Hezbollah's anti-Jewish crusade "does not sit well with [him]. "^[67]

Others have attributed anti-Semitic statements to Hassan Nasrallah. Antisemitism (alternatively spelled anti-semitism or anti-Semitism; also rarely known as judeophobia) is the Prejudice against or hostility Hassan Nasrallah ( حسن نصرالله) (b August 31 1960, Bourj Hammoud, Beirut, Lebanon) is the current Secretary Nasrallah was quoted as saying "if [Jews] all gather in Israel, it will save us the trouble of going after them worldwide. "^[68] However, Charles Glass believes that the quotation was likely a fabrication, citing other published accounts of the speech that had no reference to the anti-Semitic comment, and statements by the editor-in-chief of the Lebanese newspaper The Daily Star which published the quotes, that questioned both the translation and the "agenda of the translator. Charles Glass is an American author journalist and broadcaster specializing in the Middle East. The Daily Star is a pan-Middle East English language newspaper edited in Beirut and published alongside the International Herald Tribune "^[69]

Amal Saad-Ghorayeb, a Shi'ite Lebanese scholar critical of Israel, devoted an entire chapter of her book Hizbu'llah: Politics and Religion to an analysis of Hezbollah's anti-Jewish beliefs. Amal Saad-Ghorayeb is a Lebanese writer and political analyst known for her writings on the Israeli Lebanese conflict and Hezbollah. Antisemitism (alternatively spelled anti-semitism or anti-Semitism; also rarely known as judeophobia) is the Prejudice against or hostility ^[70] As evidence, she quotes Hezbollah's Secretary-General 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. This is a partial list of Secretary-Generals of Hezbollah since 1989 List of Secretary-Generals of Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah ( حسن نصرالله) (b August 31 1960, Bourj Hammoud, Beirut, Lebanon) is the current Secretary Notice, I do not say the Israeli"^[71][54] and quotes Hezbollah's Deputy-General Shaykh Na'im Qasim as saying, "The history of Jews has proven that, regardless of the Zionist proposal, they are a people who are evil in their ideas. "^[72] Sadd-Ghorayeb argues that although Zionism has influenced Hezbollah's anti-Judaism, "it is not contingent upon it" because Hezbollah's hatred of Jews is more religiously motivated than politically motivated. ^[70]

In response to the criticism, MP Abdallah Qussayr stated that "Hezbollah has never been against religions. Hezbollah supports all religions, it supports interfaith dialogue, and it has no problem with any religion. Hezbollah considers Zionism to be the enemy, not the Jews as a people or a religion. "^[73]

Organization

Organizational chart of Hezbollah, by Ahmad Nizar Hamzeh.

The nature of Hezbollah's organization is disputed. Many Hezbollah leaders have maintained that the movement was "not an organization, for its members carry no cards and bear no specific responsibilities,"^[74] and that the movement does not have "a clearly defined organizational structure. "

However, Hezbollah scholar Magnus Ranstorp reports that Hezbollah does indeed have a formal governing structure, and in keeping with the principle of velayat-e faqih, it "concentrate[s] . . . all authority and powers" in its religious leaders, whose decisions then "flow from the ulama down the entire community. "

The supreme decision-making bodies of the Hezbollah were divided between the Majlis al-Shura (Consultative Assembly) which was headed by 12 senior clerical members with responsibility for tactical decisions and supervision of overall Hizballah activity throughout Lebanon, and the Majlis al-Shura al-Karar (the Deciding Assembly), headed by Sheikh Muhammad Hussein Fadlallah and composed of eleven other clerics with responsibility for all strategic matters. Within the Majlis al-Shura, there existed seven specialized committees dealing with ideological, financial, military and political, judicial, informational and social affairs. In turn, the Majlis al-Shura and these seven committees were replicated in each of Hizballah's three main operational areas (the Beqaa, Beirut, and the South). Beirut (بيروت Bayrūt) is the Capital and Largest city of Lebanon with a population of over 2 ^[75]

Since the Supreme Leader of Iran is the ultimate clerical authority, Hezbollah's leaders have appealed to him "for guidance and directives in cases when Hezbollah's collective leadership [was] too divided over issues and fail[ed] to reach a consensus. The post of Supreme Leader ( Persian: رهبر انقلاب Rahbare Enqelab, lit " After the death of Iran's first Supreme Leader, Khomeini, Hezbollah's governing bodies developed a more "independent role" and appealed to Iran less often. ^[75]

Political activities

Main article: Hezbollah political activities

Hezbollah, along with the Amal Movement, represents most of Lebanese Shia. Along with the Amal Movement, Hezbollah is one of the two main parties representing the Shia community Lebanon's largest religious bloc For other uses of Amal see the disambiguation page. Amal Movement ( Arabic: abbreviation of أفواج المقاومة اللبنانية transliterated ^[76] However, unlike Amal, Hezbollah has not disarmed. Hezbollah participates in the Parliament of Lebanon. The Parliament of Lebanon (known as Le Parlement in Lebanon is the Lebanese national legislature. In the general election of 2005, it won 10. The 2005 Lebanese General Elections were the first elections in thirty years without a Syrian military or intelligence presence in Lebanon. 9% of parliamentary seats. The Resistance and Development Bloc, of which Hezbollah is a member, won all 23 seats in Southern Lebanon, and in total, 35 seats, or 27. The March 8 Alliance is a coalition of various political parties in Lebanon. South Lebanon redirects here For other uses see South Lebanon (disambiguation. 3% of parliamentary seats nationwide. ^[77] When municipal elections were held in the first half of 2004, Hezbollah won control of 21% of the municipalities. ^[44]

Hezbollah has been one the main parties of March 8 Alliance since polarization of political atmosphere of Lebanon in March 2005. The March 8 Alliance is a coalition of various political parties in Lebanon. Although Hezbollah had joined the new government in 2005, it remained staunchly opposed to the March 14 Alliance. The March 14 Alliance ( تحالف 14 آذار) or M14, named after the date of the Cedar Revolution, is a coalition of Anti-Syrian political ^[78] In November 2006, Hezbollah, the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), and the Amal Movement jointly demanded the establishment of a "national unity government",^[79][80] in which they demanded early elections and one third of the Cabinet seats; effectively, veto power. The Free Patriotic Movement (FPM ( Arabic: التيار الوطني الحر Al-Tayyar Al-Watani Al-Hur) also known as the "Aounist Current" (Arabic For other uses of Amal see the disambiguation page. Amal Movement ( Arabic: abbreviation of أفواج المقاومة اللبنانية transliterated National governments (alternatively national unity governments or national union governments) are broad Coalition governments consisting of all parties (or ^[81][82] When negotiations with the ruling coalition failed, five Cabinet Ministers from Hezbollah and Amal resigned their positions. For other uses of Amal see the disambiguation page. Amal Movement ( Arabic: abbreviation of أفواج المقاومة اللبنانية transliterated On December 1, 2006, these groups began the 2006–present Lebanese revolt, an ongoing series of protests and sit-ins in opposition to the government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora. Events 800 - Charlemagne judges the accusations against Pope Leo III in the Vatican Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The 2006–2008 Lebanese political protests were a series of protests and Sit-ins that began on 1 December, 2006, led by groups in Lebanon that A sit-in or sit-down is a form of direct action that involves one or more persons nonviolently occupying an area for a Protest, often to promote political social Fouad Siniora (alternative spellings Fouad Sanyoura Fuad Siniora Fouad Saniora Fouad Seniora ( فؤاد السنيورة, Fu'ād As-Sanyūrah is the Prime

See also: 2006–2007 Lebanese anti-government revolt and 2008 unrest in Lebanon

Military activities

Lebanon

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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. The 2006–2008 Lebanese political protests were a series of protests and Sit-ins that began on 1 December, 2006, led by groups in Lebanon that Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية Lebanon is a Parliamentary democracy within the overall framework of confessionalism, in which the highest offices are proportionately reserved for representatives The Constitution of Lebanon was adopted on 23 May, 1926. The most recent amendment of the Constitution was for the Charter of Lebanese National Reconciliation This page lists presidents of Lebanon Though it is not specifically stated in the constitution an unwritten understanding known as the National Pact (al-mithaq al-watani agreed in 1943 Michel Suleiman or Sleiman ( ميشال سليمان, born 21 November 1948) is the current President of Lebanon. This page lists Prime ministers of Lebanon. By an unwritten agreement following independence the holder of this post must be a Sunni Muslim. Fouad Siniora (alternative spellings Fouad Sanyoura Fuad Siniora Fouad Saniora Fouad Seniora ( فؤاد السنيورة, Fu'ād As-Sanyūrah is the Prime This is the list of the Lebanese government that was formed by Fouad Siniora on 19 July 2005 who was appointed by then president Émile Lahoud. The Parliament of Lebanon (known as Le Parlement in Lebanon is the Lebanese national legislature. This page lists speakers of the Parliament of Lebanon. By unwritten agreement following independence the holder of this post must be a Shiite Muslim. Lebanon has numerous political parties, but they play a much less significant role in Lebanese politics than they do in most parliamentary democracies Elections in Lebanon gives information on Election and election results in Lebanon. |||} Lebanon is divided into six Governorates ( Muhafazah) listed with their capitals in parentheses Beirut ( Beirut The governorates of Lebanon are divided into 25 Districts ( Aqdya, singular Qadaa) |||} The districts of Lebanon are divided into municipalities The foreign policy of Lebanon reflects its geographic location the composition of its population and its reliance on commerce and trade Information on politics by country is available for every Country, including both De jure and De facto independent 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 groups some of ^[83][84]

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1559 called for the disarmament of militia^[85] with the Taif agreement at the end of the Lebanese civil war. United Nations Security Council Resolution 1559 was a resolution adopted by the United Nations Security Council on September 2, 2004. The Taif Agreement ( Arabic: اتفاقية الطائف) (also "National Reconciliation Accord" or "Document of National Accord" was an agreement The Lebanese Civil War (1975–1990 was a multifaceted Civil war whose antecedents can be traced back to the conflicts and political compromises reached after the end Hezbollah denounced, and protested against, the resolution. ^[10][86] The 2006 military conflict with Israel has increased the controversy. Failure to disarm remains a violation of the resolution and agreement. ^[87] Most of the Shia consider Hezbollah's weaponry a necessary and justified element of resistance, while less than half of the other religious communities support the idea that Hezbollah should keep its weapons after the 2006 Lebanon war. Background See also Israel-Lebanon conflict The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO had engaged in cross-border attacks from Southern Lebanon ^[88]

Accusations of terrorism, bomb attacks and kidnappings

Hezbollah is accused of being responsible for a number of attacks and kidnappings carried out since its founding in the early 1980s. ^[89][90][91] These include:

• April 1983 U.S. Embassy bombing^[92]
• 1983 Beirut barracks bombing,^[89][91][92]
• kidnappings of Western, especially American, targets in the 80s,^[91] mostly alleged by the US, Israel, and Canada, while others allege that other groups were responsible
• the hijacking of TWA Flight 847 in 1985^[89] by a group with alleged links to Hezbollah
• Between 1982 to 1986, 41 Hezbollah suicide attackers killed 659 people, including 241 US Marines as they slept. The 1983 US Embassy bombing was a suicide bombing against the United States Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon on April 18, 1983 that killed over The Beirut barracks bombing was a major incident on October 23, 1983, during the Lebanese Civil War. TWA Flight 847 was an international Trans World Airlines flight which was hijacked by Lebanese Shia Islamists on Friday morning ^[93] In the American Conservative Robert Pape details 38 of the bombers as 8 Muslim, 27 Communists/Socialists and 3 Christian. The American Conservative (TAC is a biweekly US opinion magazine founded in 2002 by Scott McConnell, Pat Buchanan, and Taki ^[94]
• the 1992 Israeli Embassy attack in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Israeli Embassy attack in Buenos Aires was a Bomb attack against Israel 's Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina on March ^[89][91]
• the 1994 AMIA bombing of a Jewish cultural centre, also in Argentina. The AMIA Bombing was an attack on the Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina (AMIA Argentine Israelite Jewish Mutual Association building in Buenos Aires on ^[89]
• the January 15, 2008, bombing of a U. Events 588 BC - Nebuchadrezzar II of Babylon lays siege to Jerusalem under Zedekiah 's reign 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common S. Embassy vehicle in Beirut.

These accusations are denied by Hezbollah. ^[95][96][97] According to Nasrallah, Hezbollah refused any participation in operations outside Lebanese and Israeli lands before 2008. ^[98]

Conflict with Israel

Hezbollah has been involved in several cases of armed conflict with Israel:

• During the 1982–2000 South Lebanon conflict, Hezbollah waged a guerrilla campaign against Israeli forces occupying Southern Lebanon. Summary Israel occupied a security zone of varying sizes in Southern Lebanon between 1982 and 2000 For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Israel topics. South Lebanon redirects here For other uses see South Lebanon (disambiguation. It ended with Israeli withdrawal in accordance with 1978's United Nations Security Council Resolution 425. On March 19, 1978, five days after the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, United Nations Security Council Resolution 425 called on ^[99] With the collapse of their supposed allies, the SLA, and the rapid advance of Hezbollah forces, they withdrew suddenly on May 24, 2000 six weeks before the announced 7 July. The South Lebanon Army (SLA also "South Lebanese Army" (جيش لبنان الجنوبي transliterated: Jaysh Lubnān al-Janūbi Events 1218 - The Fifth Crusade leaves Acre for Egypt. 1276 - Magnus Ladulås is crowned 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. Events 1456 - A retrial verdict acquits Joan of Arc of heresy 25 years after her death "^[23] Hezbollah held a victory parade, and its popularity in Lebanon rose. ^[100]
• On July 25, 1993, following the killing of seven Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon, Israel launched Operation Accountability (known in Lebanon as the Seven Day War), during which the IDF carried out their heaviest artillery and air attacks on targets in southern Lebanon since 1982. Events 285 - Diocletian appoints Maximian as Caesar, co-ruler Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar) Historical background During the Lebanese Civil War, Hezbollah was among several militant groups formed in response to the the Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon The declared aim of the operation was to eradicate the threat posed by Hezbollah and to force the civilian population north to Beirut so as to put pressure on the Lebanese Government to repress Hezbollah. The fighting ended when an unwritten understanding was agreed to by the warring parties. Apparently, the 1993 understanding provided that Hezbollah combatants would not fire rockets at northern Israel, while Israel would not attack civilians or civilian targets in Lebanon. ^[101]
• In April 1996, the Israeli armed forces launched Operation Grapes of Wrath, which was intended to wipe out Hezbollah's base in southern Lebanon. Historical Background See also Israel-Lebanon conflict After continual cross border attacks committed by forces in Southern Lebanon, the Israeli army Over 100 Lebanese refugees were killed by the shelling of a UN base at Qana, in what the Israeli military said was a mistake. The shelling of Qana, commonly referred to as the Qana massacre, took place on April 18, 1996 in Qana, a village The United Nations ( UN) is an International organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in International law, International security Qana also spelled Cana (in قـانـا) is a village in Southern Lebanon located southeast of the city of Tyre and north of the border with ^[102] Finally, following several days of negotiations, the two sides signed the Grapes of Wrath Understandings on April 26, 1996. Events 1467 - The miraculous image in Our Lady of Good Counsel appear in Genazzano, Italy. Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) A cease-fire was agreed upon between Israel and Hezbollah, which would be effective on April 27, 1996. Events 1124 - David I becomes King of Scotland. 1296 - Battle of Dunbar: The Scots are defeated Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) Both sides agreed that civilians should not be targeted, which meant that Hezbollah would be allowed to continue its military activities against IDF forces inside Lebanon. ^[44][103]
• In 2000, Hezbollah attacked 3 Israeli soldiers possibly injuring or killing them and went on to abduct them. ^[104] Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz has, however, claimed that Hezbollah abducted the soldiers and then killed them. The Defense Minister of Israel (שר הביטחון Sar HaBitahon lit (שאול מופז born November 4, 1948 in Tehran, Iran) is the current Israeli Minister of Transportation and a Deputy ^[105][106] The bodies of the slain soldiers were exchanged for Lebanese prisoners in 2004. ^[107]
• Hezbollah's desire for Israeli prisoners that could be exchanged with Israel led to Hezbollah's abduction of Israeli soldiers, which triggered the 2006 Lebanon War. Planning phase See also 2000-2006 Shebaa Farms conflict On November 21, 2005, Hezbollah guerrillas infiltrated northern Israel in what Israel Background See also Israel-Lebanon conflict The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO had engaged in cross-border attacks from Southern Lebanon ^[108]
• The 2006 Lebanon War was a 34-day military conflict in Lebanon and northern Israel. Background See also Israel-Lebanon conflict The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO had engaged in cross-border attacks from Southern Lebanon War is an international relations Dispute, characterized by organized Violence between National Military units Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Israel topics. The principal parties were Hezbollah paramilitary forces and the Israeli military. The Israel Defense Forces ( IDF) (צְבָא הַהֲגָנָה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, lit The conflict started on July 12, 2006, and continued until a United Nations-brokered ceasefire went into effect on August 14, 2006. Events 1191 - Saladin 's garrison surrenders ending the two-year Siege of Acre. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The United Nations ( UN) is an International organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in International law, International security A ceasefire (or truce) is a temporary stoppage of a War or any Armed conflict, where each side of the conflict agrees Events 1183 - Taira no Munemori and the Taira clan take the young Emperor Antoku and the three sacred treasures Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Hezbollah was responsible for thousands of Katyusha rocket attacks against Israeli civilian towns and cities in northern Israel,^[90] in which Hezbollah said those attacks were retaliation for Israel's killing of civilians and targeting the Lebanese infrastructure. Katyusha multiple rocket launchers (Катюша are a type of Rocket artillery originally built and fielded by the Soviet Union in the Second World War ^[109] The conflict began when Hezbollah militants fired rockets at Israeli border towns as a diversion for an anti-tank missile attack on two armored Humvees patrolling the Israeli side of the border fence, killing three, injuring two, and seizing two Israeli soldiers. Planning phase See also 2000-2006 Shebaa Farms conflict On November 21, 2005, Hezbollah guerrillas infiltrated northern Israel in what Israel A list of artillery catalogues types of Weapons found in batteries of national Armed forces ' Artillery Units. An anti-tank guided missile ( ATGM) or anti-tank guided weapon ( ATGW) is a guided Missile primarily designed to hit and destroy This article refers to the Military HMMWV not the civilian Hummer sold by General Motors The M998 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled ^[110] According to The Guardian, "In the fighting 1,200 Lebanese and 158 Israelis were killed. The Guardian (until 1959 The Manchester Guardian) is a British Newspaper owned by the Guardian Media Group. Of the dead almost 1,000 Lebanese and 41 Israelis were civilians. "^[111]

Armed strength

See also: Hezbollah rocket force

Hezbollah has not revealed its armed strength. It has been estimated by Mustafa Alani, security director at the Dubai-based Gulf Research Centre, that Hezbollah's military force is made up of about 1,000 full-time Hezbollah members, along with a further 6,000-10,000 volunteers. ^[112]

Hezbollah possesses the Katyusha-122 rocket, which has a range of 29 km (18 mi) and carries a 15 kg (33 lb) warhead. Katyusha multiple rocket launchers (Катюша are a type of Rocket artillery originally built and fielded by the Soviet Union in the Second World War Hezbollah also possesses about 100 long-range missiles. They include the Iranian-made Fajr-3 and Fajr-5, the latter with a range of 75 km (47 mi), enabling it to strike the Israeli port of Haifa, and the Zelzal-1, with an estimated 150 km (93 mi) range, which can reach Tel Aviv. The Fajr-3 Artillery Rocket is an Iranian Multiple-launch artillery rocket, a third-generation Katyusha rocket The Fajr-5 ( Persian: فجر-۵ meaning "dawn-5" is an Artillery rocket developed by Iran in the 1990s Haifa (חֵיפָה; حَيْفَا) is the largest City in Northern Israel, and the third-largest city in the country with Zelzal-1 (زلزال-۱ meaning "Earthquake-1" is an Iranian made heavy artillery rocket with an estimated range of 150 km. Tel Aviv-Yafo (תֵּל ־אָבִיב-יָפוֹ تل أبيب Tal ʾAbīb) (usually Tel Aviv) is the second-largest city in Israel Fajr-3 missiles have a range of 40 km (25 mi) and a 45 kg (99 lb) warhead, and Fajr-5 missiles, which extend to 72 km (45 mi), also hold 45 kg (99 lb) warheads. ^[112]

According to various reports, Hezbollah is armed with anti-tank guided missiles, namely, the Russian-made AT-3 Sagger, AT-4 Spigot, AT-5 Spandrel, AT-13 Saxhorn-2 'Metis-M', АТ-14 Spriggan 'Kornet'; Iranian-made Ra'ad (version of AT-3 Sagger), Towsan (version of AT-5 Spandrel), Toophan (version of BGM-71 TOW); and European-made MILAN missiles. An anti-tank guided missile ( ATGM) or anti-tank guided weapon ( ATGW) is a guided Missile primarily designed to hit and destroy Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending The 9K11 Malyutka ( Russian: Малютка little or tiny baby is the ( NATO reporting name: AT-3 Sagger is an MCLOS wire-guided The 9M111 Fagot (9М111 «Фагот» Bassoon) is a SACLOS wire-guided Anti-tank missile of the Soviet Union. The 9M113 Konkurs (9М113 «Конкурс» Contest) SACLOS wire-guided Anti-tank missile of the Soviet Union. The 9M133 Kornet ( Russian for " Cornet " is a Russian Anti-tank guided missile (ATGM For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics. The RAAD رعد ("thunder" family of missiles is manufactured in Iran and based on the Soviet 9K11 Malyutka Anti-tank guided missile The 9K11 Malyutka ( Russian: Малютка little or tiny baby is the ( NATO reporting name: AT-3 Sagger is an MCLOS wire-guided The 9M113 Konkurs (9М113 «Конкурс» Contest) SACLOS wire-guided Anti-tank missile of the Soviet Union. Toophan (means Typhoon is an Iranian anti-tank missile that is a reverse-engineered copy of the US military TOW missile. The BGM-71 TOW is a US Anti-tank guided missile. TOW Tube-launched Optically-tracked Wire-to-command-Link guided Missile Set Milan (Milano Milan (listen) is one of the largest cities in Italy, located in the plains of Lombardy. These weapons have been used against IDF soldiers, causing many of the deaths during the 2006 Lebanon War. The Israel Defense Forces ( IDF) (צְבָא הַהֲגָנָה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, lit Background See also Israel-Lebanon conflict The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO had engaged in cross-border attacks from Southern Lebanon ^[113] A small number of Saeghe-2s (Iranian-made version of M47 Dragon) were also used in the war. The M47 Dragon (developmental designation FGM-77) is an American shoulder-fired, man-portable Anti-tank missile system ^[114]

For air defense, Hezbollah has anti-aircraft weapons that include the ZU-23 artillery and the man-portable, shoulder-fired SA-7 and SA-18 surface-to-air missile (SAM). The ZU-23, better known as ZU-23-2, is a towed Soviet short-range air defense cannon For the STRELA computer see Strela computer. For the Apollo test mission see A-102 The 9K32 "Strela-2" The 9K38 Igla (9К38 «Игла́» needle) is a Russian Soviet man-portable Infrared homing Surface-to-air missile (SAM A surface to air missile ( SAM) or ground-to-air missile ( GTAM) is a Missile designed to be launched from the ground to destroy Aircraft ^[115] One of the most effective weapons deployed by Hezbollah has been the C-802 anti-ship missile. The Yingji-82 or YJ-82 (鹰击-82 literally "Eagle Strike" NATO reporting name: CSS-N-8 Saccade) is a Chinese Anti-ship missiles are a Missile designed for use against Ships Most anti-ship missiles are of the Sea-skimming type and use a combination of ^[116]

During the 2006 Lebanon War, Hezbollah fired 3,970 rockets into Northern Israel in the course of a month, killing 43 Israeli civilians. Background See also Israel-Lebanon conflict The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO had engaged in cross-border attacks from Southern Lebanon For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Israel topics. ^[117] Hezbollah officials have stated that the group's armaments have recovered fully from the previous war; during the Divine Victory rally, held shortly after the cease-fire, Hezbollah's Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah declared that the group has "more than 20,000 rockets available". Hassan Nasrallah ( حسن نصرالله) (b August 31 1960, Bourj Hammoud, Beirut, Lebanon) is the current Secretary ^[118] He also spoke in retrospect of the war, saying "Tel Aviv or elsewhere, we were certain that we could reach any corner or spot in occupied Palestine and now we are certain that we can reach them. " (sic)^[119] Nasrallah has also implied that Hezbollah's rocket force became stronger in the months following the 2006 Lebanon War than it had been during the war itself. ^[120]

Targeting policy

Hezbollah has not been involved in any suicide bombing since Israel withdrew from Lebanon. See also Martyrdom in Islam Istishhad (استشهاد means the seeking of or the act of Martyrdom, martyrdom being defined as a military or insurgent attack ^[121][122] 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 The Pentagon, neither favoring nor opposing the act. The World Trade Center in New York City, United States (sometimes informally the WTC or Twin Towers) was a complex of seven buildings in Lower Manhattan The Pentagon is the Headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, located in Arlington County, Virginia. ^[4][123] Hezbollah also denounced the Armed Islamic Group massacres in Algeria, Al-Gama’a al-Islamiyya attacks on tourists in Egypt,^[124] and the murder of Nick Berg. The Armed Islamic Group ( GIA, al-Jama'ah al-Islamiyah al-Musallaha, from French Groupe Islamique Armé; Arabic الجماعة الإسلامية During the Algerian Civil War of the 1990s a variety of massacres occurred Algeria ( ar [[Arabic]] الجزائر, Al Jaza'ir ælʤæˈzæːʔir Amazigh: ⴷⵥⴰⵢⴻⵔ Dzayer) officially the People's For the Southeast Asian organization of the same name see Jemaah Islamiyah. This article is about the country of Egypt For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Egypt topics. Nicholas Berg ( April 2, 1978 &ndash May 7, 2004) was an American Businessman seeking Telecommunications work ^[125] In a 2006 interview with the Washington Post, Nasrallah condemned violence against American civilians. ^[123]

Although Hezbollah has denounced certain attacks on Western civilians, some people accuse the organization of the bombing of an Argentine synagogue in 1994. Argentine prosecutor Alberto Nisman, Marcelo Martinez Burgos, and their "staff of some 45 people"^[126] alleged that 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. The AMIA Bombing was an attack on the Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina (AMIA Argentine Israelite Jewish Mutual Association building in Buenos Aires on For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Argentina topics. "^[127] 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 targets by members of Palestinian groups for "creating a deterrence and equalizing fear. Background March and April 2002 saw a dramatic increase of Suicide bomb attacks against Israelis by Palestinian militant groups such as Hamas, " 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. "^[4]

In addition, Hezbollah's television station Al-Manar airs programming designed to inspire suicide attacks in Gaza, the West Bank and Iraq. Al-Manar (المنار The Beacon) is the satellite Television station of Hezbollah, broadcasting from Beirut, Gaza (غزة, עַזָּה ʕazzā is the largest city in the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian territories. The West Bank (الضفة الغربية, הגדה המערבית Hagadah Hamaaravit) also referred to in Israel as " Judea and Samaria For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iraq topics. ^{[54][128][129]}

Attacks on Hezbollah leaders

Hezbollah has also been the target of bomb attacks and kidnappings. These include:

• In the 1985 Beirut car bombing, Hezbollah leader Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah was targeted, but the assassination attempt failed. On 8 March 1985, a Car bomb exploded 9-45 metres from the house of Islamic cleric Sayyed Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah in Beirut, Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Muhammad Hussein Fadl-Allāh (محمد حسين فضل الله (also Muhammad Husayn Fadl-Allāh or Sayyed Muhammad Hussein It has been alleged^[130] that the CIA was responsible for this attack.

• On July 28, 1989, Israeli commandos kidnapped Sheikh Abdul Karim Obeid, the leader of Hezbollah. Events 1540 - Thomas Cromwell is executed at the order of Henry VIII of England on charges of Treason. Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) ^[131] This action led to the adoption of UN Security Council resolution 638, which condemned all hostage takings by all sides.

• In 1992, Israeli helicopters attacked a motorcade in southern Lebanon, killing the Hezbollah leader Abbas al-Musawi, his wife, son, and four others. Abbas al-Musawi ( Arabic عباس الموسوي(c1952&ndash February 16 1992) was an influential Muslim cleric and leader of Hezbollah ^[23]

• On February 12, 2008, Imad Mughnieh was killed by a car bomb in Damascus, Syria. Events 1429 - English Forces under Sir John Fastolf defend a supply convoy carrying rations to the army besieging Orleans from attack by the 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Imad Fayez Mughniyah ( December 7, 1962 - February 12, 2008) also Transcribed Mughniyya Damascus ( دمشق,, also commonly known as الشام ash-Shām) is the capital and largest city of Syria. Syria ( سوريّة or) officially the Syrian Arab Republic (Arabic ar الجمهورية العربية السورية ^[132]

Media operations

Logo of al-Manar

Hezbollah operates a satellite television station, Al-Manar TV ("the Lighthouse"), a radio station al-Nour ("the Light"), and a monthly magazine "Bakeyato Allah" ("The Rest of God [Imam-Mahdi]"). Al-Manar (المنار The Beacon) is the satellite Television station of Hezbollah, broadcasting from Beirut, Al-Nour is a pro- Hezbollah radio station based in Beirut, Lebanon. Al-Manar broadcasts from Beirut, Lebanon. Beirut (بيروت Bayrūt) is the Capital and Largest city of Lebanon with a population of over 2 Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية ^[133] The station was launched by Hezbollah in 1991^[134] with the help of Iranian funds. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics. ^[135] Al-Manar, self-proclaimed "Station of the Resistance" (qanat al-muqawama), is a key player in what Hezbollah calls its "psychological warfare against the Zionist enemy"^[135][136] and an integral part of Hezbollah's plan to spread its message to the entire Arab world. The US Department of Defense defines psychological warfare ( PSYWAR) as" The planned use of Propaganda and other Psychological actions History of Zionism|Timeline of Zionism|World Zionist Organization|Zionist political violence Zionism is an international political movement that originally supported the ^[135]

Al-Manar's transmission in France is prohibited due to promotion of Holocaust denial, a criminal offense in France. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Holocaust denial is the claim that the Genocide of Jews during World War II —usually referred to as The Holocaust —did not occur in the ^{[137][138][139]} The United States lists Al-Manar television network as a terrorist organization. Al-Manar (المنار The Beacon) is the satellite Television station of Hezbollah, broadcasting from Beirut, ^[140]

Materials aimed at instilling principles of nationalism and Islam in children are an aspect of Hezbollah's media operations. ^[141] The Hezbollah Central Internet Bureau released a video game in 2003 entitled Special Force, in which players conduct war on Israeli invaders, wherein the winner becomes a national hero on Earth and a martyr in Heaven. Special Force is a First-person shooter military video game published by the group Hezbollah, created using the Genesis 3D engine ^[142]

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 programs are worth hundreds of millions of dollars annually. ^[13]

Some of its established institutions are: Emdad committee for Islamic Charity,^[143] Hezbollah Central Press Office, Al Jarha Association,^[144] and Jihad Al Binaa Developmental Association. Jihad Al Binna Developmental Association (JBDA is the non-governmental organization run by Hezbollah in Lebanon. ^[145] Jihad Al Binna's Reconstruction Campaign is responsible for numerous economic and infrastructure development projects in Lebanon. ^[146] Hezbollah has set up a Martyr's Institute (Al-Shahid Social Association), which guarantees to provide living and education expenses for the families of fighters who die in battle. ^[147] 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 program. Hezbollah currently operates at least four hospitals, twelve clinics, twelve schools and two agricultural centres that provide farmers with technical assistance and training. It also has an environmental department and an extensive social assistance program. Medical care is also cheaper than in most of the country's private hospitals and free for Hezbollah members". ^[13]

According to CNN: "Hezbollah did everything that a government should do, from collecting the garbage to running hospitals and repairing schools. "^[148] In July 2006, during the war with Israel, when there was no running water in Beirut, Hezbollah was arranging supplies around the city. Beirut (بيروت Bayrūt) is the Capital and Largest city of Lebanon with a population of over 2 "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. "^[148] Also, after the war it competed with the Lebanese government to reconstruct destroyed areas. 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 Lebanon in the field of reconstruction. Jihad Al Binna Developmental Association (JBDA is the non-governmental organization run by Hezbollah in Lebanon. ^[149]

Funding

Main article: Funding of Hezbollah

Hezbollah's financial support is a matter of controversy. The funding of Hezbollah (meaning party of GOD partly occurs through donations Critics argue that it is, or has been, massively supported with tens of millions of dollars annually from the Islamic Republic of Iran. ^[54] Hezbollah maintains that the main source of its income comes from donations by Muslims. ^[150]

Lebanese Shi’ites often make zakat contributions directly after prayers and an additional donation in a Hezbollah donation box. This is a sub-article of Islamic economical jurisprudence. Zakaat ( زكاة zækæːh zakaat or zakāh, has the implied Hezbollah also receives financial and political assistance, as well as weapons and training, from the Islamic Republic of Iran. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics. ^{[13][151][147]} The US estimates that Iran has been giving Hezbollah about US$60-100 million per year in financial assistance. ^[152]

Hezbollah has relied extensively on funding from the Shi'ite Lebanese Diaspora in West Africa, the United States and, most importantly, the Triple Frontier, or tri-border area, along the junction of Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The Triple Frontier should not be confused with Tres Fronteras, at the common border among Brazil Peru and Colombia Paraguay, officially the Republic of Paraguay ( Spanish: República del Paraguay; Guaraní: Tetã Paraguái) is one of the only For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Argentina topics. |utc_offset = -2 to -4 |time_zone_DST = BRST |utc_offset_DST = -2 to -5 |cctld ^[153] U. S. law enforcement officials charged that smugglers of illegal cigarettes in the United States were funneling millions of dollars to Hezbollah. ^[154]

Foreign relations

Main article: Hezbollah foreign relations

Hezbollah has close relations with Iran. Although UN Security Council Resolution 1559, calls for "the disbanding and disarmament of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese Militia " ^[155] It also has ties with the leadership in Syria, specifically with President Hafez al-Assad (until his death in 2000) and his son and successor Bashar al-Assad. Hafez al-Assad (حافظ الأسد) ( October 6, 1930 &ndash June 10, 2000) was president of Syria, for three Dr Bashar al-Assad (بشار الأسد) (born 11 September, 1965) is the President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Regional Secretary ^[156] Although Hezbollah and Hamas are not organizationally linked, Hezbollah provides military training as well as financial and moral support to the Sunni Palestinian group. Ḥamas (ar حركة حماس acronym ar حركة المقاومة Sunni Islam is the largest denomination of Islam. Sunni Islam is also referred to as Ahl as-Sunnah wa’l-Jamā‘h (Arabic Palestinian people or Palestinians ( الشعب الفلسطيني, ash-sha`b al-filasTīni; الفلسطينيون, al-filasTīnīyyūn <sup>[157]</sup> Furthermore, Hezbollah is a strong supporter of the ongoing Al-Aqsa Intifada. <sup>[4]</sup> Whether there has been cooperation or any relationship between Hezbollah and al-Qaeda has been questioned. Al-Qaeda, alternatively spelled al-Qaida, al-Qa`ida or al-Qa`idah, ( Arabic:; ar-Latn ''al-qāʿidah'' Translation: The <sup>[158]</sup> Hezbollah's leaders deny links to al-Qaeda, present or past. <sup>[158][159]</sup> Also, some al-Qaeda leaders, like Abu Musab al-Zarqawi<sup>[160]</sup> and Wahhabi clerics, consider Hezbollah to be apostate. Al-Qaeda, alternatively spelled al-Qaida, al-Qa`ida or al-Qa`idah, ( Arabic:; ar-Latn ''al-qāʿidah'' Translation: The Abu Musab al-Zarqawi (أبومصعب الزرقاوي, Abu Musab from Zarqa)) (October 30 1966 – June 7 2006 born Ahmad Fadeel al-Nazal Wahhabism ( Arabic: Al-Wahhābīyya الوهابية or Wahabism is a conservative reformist call of Sunni Islam attributed to ^[161][162] But United States intelligence officials speculate that there has been contact between Hezbollah and low-level al-Qaeda figures who fled Afghanistan for Lebanon. Speculation, in a financial context is making an investment that increases the overall risk in a portfolio Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت, ^{[158][163][164]}

Outside views

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

Public opinion

In much of the Arab world, Hezbollah is seen as a legitimate resistance organization that has defended its land against an Israeli occupying force and has consistently stood up to the Israeli army. ^[4]

According to a poll released by the "Beirut Center for Research and Information" on 26 July during the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict, 87 percent of Lebanese support Hezbollah's fight with Israel, a rise of 29 percentage points from a similar poll conducted in February. Events 657 - Battle of Siffin. 811 - Battle of Pliska; Byzantine Emperor Nicephorus Background See also Israel-Lebanon conflict The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO had engaged in cross-border attacks from Southern Lebanon More striking, however, was 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. The Druze ( Arabic: درزي derzī or durzī, plural دروز durūz) are a religious community found primarily in Syria, Lebanon Sunni Islam is the largest denomination of Islam. Sunni Islam is also referred to as Ahl as-Sunnah wa’l-Jamā‘h (Arabic ^[165][166]

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. ^[167]

A poll of Gaza Strip and West Bank residents indicated that 79. 6% had "a very good view" of Hezbollah, and most of the remainder had a "good view". ^[168]

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. ^[169] In the December 2005 poll, only 6% of Jordanian adults considered Hezbollah to be terrorist. ^[170]

A July 2006 USA Today/Gallup poll found that 83% of the 1,005 Americans polled blamed Hezbollah, at least in part, for the 2006 Lebanon War, compared to 66% who blamed Israel to some degree. USA TODAY is a national American daily Newspaper published by the Gannett Company. Background See also Israel-Lebanon conflict The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO had engaged in cross-border attacks from Southern Lebanon Additionally, 76% disapproved of the military action Hezbollah took in Israel, compared to 38% who disapproved of Israel's military action in Lebanon. ^[171] A poll in August 2006 by ABC News and the Washington Post found that 68% of the 1,002 Americans polled blamed Hezbollah, at least in part, for the civilian casualties in Lebanon during the 2006 Lebanon War, compared to 31% who blamed Israel to some degree. This article is about the American news organization See also ABC News (disambiguation ABC News is a division of American The Washington Post is the largest and most circulated Newspaper in Washington D Background See also Israel-Lebanon conflict The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO had engaged in cross-border attacks from Southern Lebanon ^[171] Another August 2006 poll by CNN showed that 69% of the 1,047 Americans polled believed that Hezbollah is unfriendly towards, or an enemy of, the United States. Cable News Network, usually referred to by its Initialism CNN, is a major English language Television network founded in 1980 by Ted Turner ^[171]

Designation as a terrorist organization

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. The term Muslim world (or Islamic world) has several meanings A resistance movement is a group or collection of individual groups dedicated to fighting an Invader in an occupied country or the government of a sovereign nation ^[3]

The countries below have officially listed Hezbollah in at least some part as a terrorist organization. Many organizations that are accused of being a terrorist organization deny using Terrorism as a Military tactic to achieve their goals and there is no international

Australia	The Hezbollah External Security Organization	[172]
Canada	The entire organization Hezbollah	[173]
Israel	The entire organization Hezbollah	[174][175]
Netherlands	The entire organization Hezbollah	[176][177]
United Kingdom	The Hezbollah External Security Organization	[178]
United States	The entire organization Hezbollah	[179]

In 1999, Hezbollah was placed on the US State Department terrorism list. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Israel topics. The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The United States of America —commonly referred to as the After Hezbollah's condemnation of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the USA, it was removed from the list, but it was later returned to the list. ^[180] In 2002, US State Department official Christopher Ross was cited as explaining that while "the Hezbollah party and some of its members carried out terrorist acts in the past", "the acts that it carried out against the Israeli forces in South Lebanon were not terrorist acts. "^[181]

The European Union does not list Hezbollah, or any group within it, as a "terrorist" organization,^[182][183] but on March 10, 2005, the European Parliament passed a non-binding resolution recognizing "clear evidence" of "terrorist activities by Hezbollah"^[184] 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. The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in Events 241 BC - First Punic War: Battle of the Aegates Islands - The Romans sink the Carthaginian fleet bringing Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The European Parliament ( Europarl or EP) is the only directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union (EU A non-binding resolution is a written motion adopted by a Deliberative body that cannot progress into a Law. The Council of the European Union is the principal decision making institution in the European Union (EU Ḥamas (ar حركة حماس acronym ar حركة المقاومة ^[184] 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. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located ^[184] The EU Council designates the late Imad Mugniyah as a terrorist, claiming he is Hezbollah's "Senior Intelligence Officer". Imad Fayez Mughniyah ( December 7, 1962 - February 12, 2008) also Transcribed Mughniyya ^[182][30] 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, with Yuri Sapunov, the head of anti-terrorism for the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation, saying that they list only organizations which represent "the greatest threat to the security of our country". The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation ( FSB) ( Russian: ФСБ Федера́льная слу́жба безопа́сности Federalnaya ^[185] 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. Sergei Borisovich Ivanov (Серге́й Бори́сович Ивано́в (born January 31, 1953) is a Russian political figure "^[186]

The Quartet’s fourth member, the United Nations, does not maintain such a list. The United Nations ( UN) is an International organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in International law, International security ^[187]

Some other countries have criticized Hezbollah, citing terrorist activities, without maintaining such a list. 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. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Argentina topics. The AMIA Bombing was an attack on the Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina (AMIA Argentine Israelite Jewish Mutual Association building in Buenos Aires on The Associated Press ( AP) is an American News agency. The AP is a Cooperative owned by its contributing Newspapers radio "^[127] 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. Events 303 - Galerius, Roman Emperor, publishes his edict that begins the persecution of Christians in his portion of the 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. The Prime Minister of France ( Premier ministre français) in Fifth Republic is the functional Head of the government and Council of Ministers Lionel Jospin (born 12 July 1937 is a French politician who served as Prime Minister of France, during the third " cohabitation " "France condemns Hezbollah's attacks, and all types of terrorist attacks which may be carried out against soldiers, or possibly Israel's civilian population. "^[188] On August 29, 2006, Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema differentiated the wings of Hezbollah: "Apart from their well-known terrorist activities, they also have political standing and are socially engaged. Events 708 - Copper coins are minted in Japan for the first time (Traditional Japanese date: August 10, 708) Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest Massimo D'Alema (born April 20 1949) is an Italian politician "^[189][190] Germany does not maintain an independent national list of terrorist organizations, choosing instead to adopt the common EU list; however, German officials indicate that they would likely support a designation of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. ^[191]

See also

• Israel-Lebanon conflict
• 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict
• 2006–2007 Lebanese political protests
• 2008 unrest in Lebanon
• History of Lebanon
• Foreign relations of Lebanon
• Policide
• Politics of Lebanon
• AMIA bombing
• United Nations Security Council Resolution 425
• United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701
• Al-Mahdi Scouts

Footnotes

References

Books

• Joseph Alagha (2006). Events 322 BC - Battle of Crannon between Athens and Macedon following the death of Alexander the Great. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The Congressional Research Service (CRS is the Public policy research arm of the United States Congress. The Shifts in Hizbullah's Ideology: Religious Ideology, Political Ideology. Amsterdam University Press. ISBN 9053569103.  

• Tom Diaz, Barbara Newman (2005). Tom Diaz is a senior policy analyst at the Violence Policy Center and is one of the more prominent advocates for a strict Lightning Out of Lebanon: Hezbollah Terrorists on American Soil. Presidio Press. ISBN 0-345-47568-2.  

• Ahmad Nizar Hamzeh (2004). In The Path Of Hizbullah. Syracuse University Press. ISBN 0-8156-3053-0.  

• Judith Palmer Harik (2006). Hezbollah: The Changing Face of Terrorism. I. B. Tauris. ISBN 1-845-110242.  

• Hala Jaber (1997). Hala Jaber is a British-Lebanese journalist born in West Africa and currently writes for The Sunday Times. Hezbollah. Columbia University Press. Columbia University Press is a University press based in New York City, and affiliated with Columbia University. ISBN 0-231-10834-6.  

• Avi Jorisch (2004). Beacon of Hatred: Inside Hizballahs Al-Manar Television. Washington Institute for Near East Policy. ISBN 0-944029-88-4.  

• Augustus Richard Norton (2000). Augustus R Norton (born September 2, 1946) is an American Professor and retired army officer. Hizballah of Lebanon: Extremist Ideals vs. Mundane Politics. Council on Foreign Relations. .  

• Augustus Richard Norton (2007). Augustus R Norton (born September 2, 1946) is an American Professor and retired army officer. Hezbollah: A Short History. Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0-691-13124-5.  

• Qassem, Naim (2005). Hizbullah: The Story from Within. Saqi Books. ISBN 978-0863565175.  

• Magnus Ranstorp (1996). Dr Magnus Ranstorp is the Research Director of the Centre for Asymmetric Threat Studies at the Swedish National Defence College directing a large funded project on Strategic Terrorist Threats to Hizb'Allah in Lebanon: The Politics of the Western Hostage Crisis. St. Martin's Press. ISBN 0-312-16491-2.  

• Amal Saad-Ghorayeb (2001). Amal Saad-Ghorayeb is a Lebanese writer and political analyst known for her writings on the Israeli Lebanese conflict and Hezbollah. Hizbullah: Politics and Religion. Pluto Press. Pluto Press is a progressive independent publisher based in London. ISBN 0-7453-1793-6.  

• Jamal Sankari (2005). Fadlallah: The Making of a Radical Shi'ite Leader. Saqi Books. ISBN 0-86356-596-4.  

Articles

• Adam Shatz (2004-04-29). "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Events 1429 - Joan of Arc arrives to relieve the Siege of Orleans. In Search of Hezbollah. The New York Review of Books. The New York Review of Books (or NYREV or NYRB) is a semimonthly Magazine on Literature, Culture, and current Retrieved on 2007-10-27. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 312 - Constantine the Great is said to have received his famous Vision of the Cross. (copy)
• Dahr Jamail (2006-07-20). Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1304 - Wars of Scottish Independence: Fall of Stirling Castle - King Edward I of England takes the last rebel stronghold Hezbollah's transformation. Asia Times. Retrieved on 2007-10-27. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 312 - Constantine the Great is said to have received his famous Vision of the Cross.
• Lebanon: Angus Reid Global Monitor. Angus Reid Global Monitor (2005). The Angus Reid Global Monitor (ARGM is an affiliate company of Angus Reid Strategies. Retrieved on 2007-10-27. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 312 - Constantine the Great is said to have received his famous Vision of the Cross. (full election results report)

External links

Hayhat Minna Zilla (Woe unto Oppression) English subtitled Manar TV commercial

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5HXvCAOKeQ

Iranian Dr. Hassan Abbasi lecture "Hezbollah is Unique".

• http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=4zUqU2Wl57E

Official sites

• Islamic Resistance in Lebanon
• Islamic Resistance in Lebanon Official Website
• Promise For the Resistance Movement Support
• Al-Manar TV
• Al-Nour radio

UN resolutions regarding Lebanon

• UN Press Release SC/8181 UN, September 2, 2004
• Lebanon: Close Security Council vote backs free elections, urges foreign troop pullout UN, September 2, 2004
• UN vote due on Syria resolution BBC, September 2, 2004
• US draft resolution at UN demands respect for Lebanon's sovereignty AFP, September 2, 2004
• Wikisource:UN Security Council Resolution 1391
• Wikisource:UN Security Council Resolution 1496
• Wikisource:UN Security Council Resolution 1559
• Wikisource:UN Security Council Resolution 1583

United States Department of State

• Background Information on Foreign Terrorist Organizations, released by the Office of Counterterrorism, October 8, 1999. Events 44 BC - Pharaoh Cleopatra VII of Egypt declares her son co-ruler as Ptolemy XV Caesarion. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Events 44 BC - Pharaoh Cleopatra VII of Egypt declares her son co-ruler as Ptolemy XV Caesarion. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Events 44 BC - Pharaoh Cleopatra VII of Egypt declares her son co-ruler as Ptolemy XV Caesarion. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Events 44 BC - Pharaoh Cleopatra VII of Egypt declares her son co-ruler as Ptolemy XV Caesarion. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Events 314 - Roman Emperor Licinius is defeated by his colleague Constantine I at the Battle of Cibalae, and loses Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar)

Other links

• Hizbullah - the Party of God - List of links to official websites and documents
• Hizballah: A Primer
• Lebanon’s Hizbullah—Conventional Political Party or Terrorist Group?(Organizational Chart of Lebanon’s Hizbullah)
• Hizbullah - the 'Party of God' Ynetnews
• Hezbollah: Financing Terror through Criminal Enterprise, Testimony of Matthew Levitt, Hearing of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, United States Senate
• Briefing: Lebanese Public Opinion Mideast monitor
• Who are Hezbollah? - BBC News Online
• UN Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
• Hezbollah: Most Powerful Political Movement in Lebanon
• Hezbollah Inside America: FOX News Tells All in Documentary Daniel L. Ynetnews is an English language Israel news and content website operated by Yedioth Ahronoth, Israel’s most-read Newspaper, and Byman on Council on Foreign Relations
• Backgrounder > Hezbollah, Council on Foreign Relations
• Hezbollah in Profile, Parliament of Australia (PDF version)
• Inside Hezbollah, short documentary and extensive information from Frontline/World on PBS. The Council on Foreign Relations ( CFR) is an American Nonpartisan foreign policy membership organization founded in 1921 and based at 58 East 68th Street (at
• Radical Islam in Latin America Chris Zambelis, December 2, 2005
• Hezbollah in the Firing Line. Events 1409 - The University of Leipzig opens 1755 - The second Eddystone Lighthouse is destroyed by fire Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Middle East Report, April 28, 2003
• Hizbollah: Rebel without a cause?. Events 1192 - Assassination of Conrad of Montferrat (Conrad I King of Jerusalem, in Tyre, two days after his title Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Middle East Briefing N°7 by the International Crisis Group, 30 July 2003
• Jihad Against Hezbollah by Stephen Zunes, Foreign Policy In Focus, August 5, 2006. Events 1419 - First Defenestration of Prague. 1502 - Christopher Columbus lands at Guanaja in the Bay Islands off Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 642 - Battle of Maserfield - Penda of Mercia defeats and kills Oswald of Bernicia. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.
• A Voice of Resistance: the Point of View of Hizballah - perceptions, goals and strategies of an Islamic movement in Lebanon, by Mats Wärn, Department of Political Science, Stockholm University
• Staying the Course: the "Lebanonization" of Hizbollah - the integration of an Islamist movement into a pluralist political system, by Mats Wärn, Department of Political Science, Stockholm University
• Hizbullah's two republics by Mohammed Ben Jelloun, Al-Ahram, February 15-21, 2007
• Why is Hezbollah on the Terrorism List? - And Who Isn't But Should Be?
• An Open Letter: The Hezbollah Program - Hezbollah's 1985 manifesto translated into English.