Hezbollah is a Shiite political and military movement in Lebanon. The group has caused a stir in recent decades and remains a significant party in Lebanon to this day.
Ayatolla Khomeini
Hezbollah, which literally means the party of God, emerged in the 1980s. The group was inspired by the Islamic revolution in Iran and Ayatollah Khomeini supported the group, hoping to further spread the Islamic revolution. The founders of the movement were initially mainly interested in resisting the Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon at that time. They also hoped to transform the multi-religious Lebanese state into an Islamic state modeled on Iran. The latter idea was later abandoned and today Hezbollah is a normal political party with members in parliament.
Syrian support
Syria, which had a major role in the Lebanese pie for years, also turned a blind eye to Hezbollah’s actions. Every action against Israel was tolerated, in the hope of returning the Golan Heights.
Terrorists or resistance fighters?
The United States, the United Kingdom and several other countries have listed Hezbollah as terrorist movements. The European Union, for example, does not. Support for the party is strong in the Arab and Muslim world and the Lebanese government called the party a national resistance movement. The support is not only great among Shi’ites, but also among other Muslims and even among Christians, there is great support for the group in the fight against Israeli aggression.
Hezbollah’s ideology
In 1985, Hezbollah released a manifesto outlining the organization’s three main goals. First of all, the expulsion of Americans, French and other ‘colonials’. Secondly, to bring to justice all Phalangists who have committed crimes against Muslims and Christians. Finally, the freedom for every citizen to choose their own party. Hezbollah hopes that people will choose the Islamic path. The manifesto clearly showed that Hezbollah intended to achieve its goals through a ‘defensive jihad’.
Guerrilla
The early days of Hezbollah were characterized by a guerrilla-like approach to fighting. (Suicide) attacks and kidnappings were used (think of the kidnapping of Terry Waite by a Hezbollah cell).
Israel
To this day, Hezbollah does not recognize the State of Israel. They have therefore taken the fate of the Palestinian people to heart and there is great support among the Palestinian population for Hezbollah. Hezbollah clearly indicates that it makes a difference between Judaism and Zionism, it opposes Zionism, not Judaism or Jewish people in themselves.
Social Program
Another reason why Hezbollah is popular in Lebanon is related to the social services that the movement has managed to set up. The services include education, healthcare and even news provision. Hezbollah has its own satellite channel, al-Manar. The party also has an environmental department. Experts estimate that hundreds of millions of dollars are spent on healthcare and education every year.
The 2006 military conflict
The 2006 military conflict between Israel and Lebanon was in fact a war between Israel and Hezbollah. The conflict lasted 34 days and during this period and afterwards Hezbollah again showed its social side. The party provided the water supply in Beirut, which was at a standstill. And helped/is helping with the reconstruction.