This has probably been the longest while since I’ve updated my weblog. My apologies. I’m in a 6 week intensive intermediate Arabic program and it’s been hard trying to keep up with course work while at the same time trying to enjoy Lebanon. The program, however, is coming to an end, in which case I will leave Lebanon 12 days later for Jordan and then Egypt. Before I leave Lebanon, I plan on going to the south of country which bore the brunt of Israel’s ruthless bombardment 2 years ago.
Without a doubt, it will be difficult to say good-bye to this place. Besides the US and Iran, I’ve never felt at home anywhere else until I came here. I’ve had the good fortune of making good friends here at AUB as well as in my program. Lebanon itself has much to offer and I will post pictures as soon as I get a chance.
Anyway, I’ve spent some time in the south of Beirut, the other location that absorbed its fair share of Israeli missile strikes in 2006. The Israeli authorities tried to justify the attacks by alleging that Hizbullah “hid” amongst the civilian populace and that the organization had offices in residential buildings. But after going there, you realize that Israel wasn’t targeting Hizbullah “offices” but was trying to punish the Shi’i for supporting Hizbullah. In other words, Israel was sending a clear message, “If you support Hizbullah, these are the consequences.” I mean, Israel targeted entire buildings, neighborhoods, and streets.
Amongst the countless Israeli miscalculations and failures in the 2006 war, none is more evident than the fact that instead of trying to convince the Shi’i to end their support for Hizbullah through punishing missile attacks, the precise opposite has happened. Support for Hizbullah here has hardened and they, in my opinion, are more powerful now than ever before. I never found cab drivers reflective of any society, especially in Iran, but I spoke with one and he told me about what he has endured since ’06. Accordingly, his entire building was destroyed and he lost his home. Nobody, not even the government has helped them, except for Hizbullah. The organization found his family temporary housing, provided him with basic funds, and has been reconstructing the building ever since. Indeed, Hizbullah has a very efficient construction arm and much has either been rebuilt or is in the process of being rebuilt in Lebanon. Furthermore, the cab driver told me that when his sons reach adulthood they will join Hizbullah, “no ifs ands or buts.”
With Iranian funds, there is a lot you can do if you arent corrupt and are efficient.
I wrote this to Arash:
Arash, I do genuinely apologize, it was wrong to attack you personally. I agree. Now to the subject, which you bizzarely say I “changed”. If the Palestinian cause is fraudulent bc of Mohamma-Al-dura (not to be confused with teh hundreds of palestinian children killed by israel since the second intifada, actually israel killed more palestinian children than palestinians killed Israeli CIVILIANS), then what is the ZIonist cause given its lies about 1948 “Arab radio broadcasts”, its “land without a people for a people without a land”, its narrrative on munich, its lies about 1967, etc. etc. Doesnt this make the ZIonist cause fraudulent to its core since it lied about its very inception?And what about you? are YOU a fraud since you made up a kHomeini quote? Since you said Norman Finkelstein was at the Holocaust conference? Since you said Hezbollah massacred tens of thousands of lebanese christian civilians? Since you made up things about Human Rights Watch? Who exactly is a fraud?THE TELLING THING IS THAT YOU WILL ERASE THIS! YOU CANT ANSWER ANY OF THESE QUESTIONS CAUSE YOU CANT HAVE A SERIOUS DEBATE.
Hahahahaha!!
Israel is still the most resilient and powerful (economically, scientifically, and militarily) in the region. Hezbollah offers nothing but death, destruction, and theocracy for Lebanon. Eventually Israel will wipe out the southern half of Lebanon and take care of those pests just like the IAF took care of Syria’s nuclear program.
Thats right JZ, after all, Israel has the highest GDP/capita in the region. Oh, wait…
You must not have gotten the memo JZ. Hizbullah is a resistance organization. It is Israel that has occupied parts of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, and of course, Palestine. Thus, it is Israel that not only offers death, but has implemented it. Furthermore, Hizbullah has long since abandoned its goal of erected an Iranian-style theocracy so for you to say that it offers nothing but a theocracy for Lebanon, either proves that you are ignorant, as Mr. Smiley Face has consistenly pointed out, or that you know the truth but choose to lie as member of the Zionist propaganda machine. Either way, you are exposed.
Wrote this to Arash the irrational one:
It doesnt make sense when you say Im changing the subject-I directly address it every single time and just apply your standards to the Israeli side. You have a very bizzarre and, frankly, illogical way of thinking. One in which you dont have to provide evidence and apologies are “bogus”, whatever that means. Did you expect me to send you flowers? Cmon Arash, we all know you just cant handle the fact that you have to provide evidence. You must not go to a very good law school 😉
Hey! This is a a great site. Check out mine too, its my name dot blogspot dot com. I think we have a lot in common!