Hezbollah means “Party of Allah” or “Party of God”.
A Shi’a Islamist militant group and Political Party based in Lebanon which was formed by Muslim Clerics after the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982, and funded by Iran primarily to harass the Israeli occupation. Hezbollah successfully waged a guerilla campaign in South Lebanon and as a result, Israel withdrew from Lebanon on May 24, 2000.
Hezbollah’s military strength has grown so significantly that its paramilitary wing is considered more powerful than the Lebanese Army.Hezbollah has been described as a “State within a State”, and has grown into an organization with seats in the Lebanese government, a radio and a satellite TV station, social services and large-scale military deployment of fighters beyond Lebanon’s borders.
Hezbollah’s status as a legitimate political party, a terrorist group, a resistance movement, or some combination thereof is a contentious issue. The Arab League,United States, France, Australia, and Israel (No surprises there!!) have classified Hezbollah as a Terrorist organization.
The European Union, New Zealand and the United Kingdom have taken a more ambiguous stance by making a distinction between Hezbollah’s Political and Military wings, with recognition being given to its Political wing only. On the other hand, Russia considers Hezbollah a legitimate sociopolitical organization. China remains neutral, and maintains contacts with Hezbollah.
Hezbollah has become firmly entrenched in the social and political structures within Lebanon, even running its own self-funded Public Hospitals and welfare programmes. Its therefore developed all the apparatus required for the creation of a functional and independent Islamic State. This level of achievement renders Hezbollah unique for what started out as a Paramilitary resistance movement against the Isreali invasion of 1982..
The struggle for Palestine now also continues through our second honourable mention and Army of God, HAMAS. HAMAS has since gained precedence over the PLO in dominating the struggle for the Palestinian cause.
We salute all oppressed peoples and their Liberation Armies, and so we pay our respects to those fighting for their right to self-determination in the Middle East.
As a result of the allegations of Terrorism levelled at Jihadist groups, due to use of tactics such as suicide bombings, they really bring home the meaning of the saying ‘One man’s Terrorist is another man’s Freedom Fighter.’
Following from the above, is the complexity of the question of Islamic self-determination in the Middle-East. Issues of concern include, Civilian casualties as well as the in-fighting between the Jihadists groups themselves, and the rise of what is often described as ‘Islamist Extremism’ in form of groups like ISIS.
