Good reasons to eradicate Hezbollah

brianjdbrianjd Posts: 201
edited September 2006 in A Moving Train
wikidpedia "Ideology

In 1985, Hezbollah's founding manifesto[34] [9] laid out the goals and ideology as follows:
The solution to Lebanon's problems is the establishment of an Islamic republic as only this type of regime can secure justice and equality for all of Lebanon's citizens.
The Hizbullah organization views as an important goal the fight against 'western imperialism' and its eradication from Lebanon. The group strives for complete American and French withdrawal from Lebanon, including all their institutions.
The conflict with Israel is viewed as a central concern. This is not only limited to the IDF presence in Lebanon. Rather, the complete destruction of the State of Israel and the establishment of Islamic rule over Jerusalem is an expressed goal."
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Comments

  • Hizbollah should be abolished because they are more or less a state within a state that is funded by 2 separate countries and operate by their own accord. They are basically a more established version of the taliban and play their part in ruining the most progressive country in the middle east.
  • brianjdbrianjd Posts: 201
    agreed
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    Irvine 1992, Las Vegas 1993, Mountain View 1994, San Diego 1995, Los Angeles 1996, Los Angeles 1998, Moutain View 1999, San Bernadino 2000, Los Angeles 2000, Irvine 2003, Irvine 2003, Moutain View 2003, Santa Barbara 2003, San Diego 2006, Los Angeles 2006, Santa Barbara 2006
  • The military arm of Hezbollah needs to be dismantled, and the political faction needs to disavow violence and terrorism and if they want, become a legitimate political party in the Lebanese system.
  • CommyCommy Posts: 4,984
    The military arm of Hezbollah needs to be dismantled, and the political faction needs to disavow violence and terrorism and if they want, become a legitimate political party in the Lebanese system.


    Shouldn't the same demands be made of Israel?
  • Commy wrote:
    Shouldn't the same demands be made of Israel?

    YOu cant compare Hizbollah to Israel. And this isnt defending Israel and I certainly think they over reacted, but they are a recognized nation and nations are allowed to have a military and defense. Hizbollah is not a recognized nation and doesnt even operate in the same country that funds it. There is absolutely no defense you can give to legitimize Hizbollah as a military unit.
  • dg1979us wrote:
    Hizbollah... are more or less a state within a state
    absolutely incorrect - they are a non-state actor, like every "terrorist" group
    dg1979us wrote:
    They... play their part in ruining the most progressive country in the middle east.
    Progressive in what way? Because they're a supposedly Western-style democracy? Lebanon is one of, if not, the weakest nations in the Middle East. Lebanon is a country with a poor freedom of the press and high censorship. How exactly is it a progressive country?
    93: Slane
    96: Cork, Dublin
    00: Dublin
    06: London, Dublin
    07: London, Copenhagen, Nijmegen
    09: Manchester, London
    10: Dublin, Belfast, London & Berlin
    11: San José
    12: Isle of Wight, Copenhagen, Ed in Manchester & London x2
  • absolutely incorrect - they are a non-state actor, like every "terrorist" group Progressive in what way? Because they're a supposedly Western-style democracy? Lebanon is one of, if not, the weakest nations in the Middle East. Lebanon is a country with a poor freedom of the press and high censorship. How exactly is it a progressive country?

    I said progressive within the middle east, which it most certainly is much more progressive and a part of the modern world than many middle eastern countries. I didnt say it was perfect, but it certainly isnt on the level of Saudi Arabia or Iran for example.

    And i was correct. Hizbollah is a powerful organization that more or less operates on it's own accord inside another nation. They are more or less their own state, that happens to be within the borders of another.
  • dg1979us wrote:
    I said progressive within the middle east, which it most certainly is much more progressive and a part of the modern world than many middle eastern countries. I didnt say it was perfect, but it certainly isnt on the level of Saudi Arabia or Iran for example.
    There may be something to that. You're right, it's probably a far better situation than anything in Saudi Arabia or Iran. But it remains one of the weakest and least influential states in the region, so I'm not sure how meaningful that is.
    dg1979us wrote:
    And i was correct. Hizbollah is a powerful organization that more or less operates on it's own accord inside another nation. They are more or less their own state, that happens to be within the borders of another.
    Hizbollah does not operate "within the borders of another" state. It is a non-state actor. It does operate of it's own accord but it is not by any means "a state within a state". As such, it is completely illegitimate - if not illegal - (as it was in Afghanistan) to launch a war against a state in order to retaliate against a super-state actor that may operate within the borders of that state but is in no way controlled by or tied to that state.
    93: Slane
    96: Cork, Dublin
    00: Dublin
    06: London, Dublin
    07: London, Copenhagen, Nijmegen
    09: Manchester, London
    10: Dublin, Belfast, London & Berlin
    11: San José
    12: Isle of Wight, Copenhagen, Ed in Manchester & London x2

  • Hizbollah does not operate "within the borders of another" state. It is a non-state actor. It does operate of it's own accord but it is not by any means "a state within a state". As such, it is completely illegitimate - if not illegal - (as it was in Afghanistan) to launch a war against a state in order to retaliate against a super-state actor that may operate within the borders of that state but is in no way controlled by or tied to that state.


    It does operate within the borders of another nation, and it is funded and supported by Iran and Syria and more or less gives radical Islam a powerful voice inside of a moderate Muslim nation. I am not saying that they technically are a state, I am saying they more or less act as their own state, and have everybit as much power as the official government itself. And they have that power because of support from Iran and Syria.
  • dg1979us wrote:
    It does operate within the borders of another nation, and it is funded and supported by Iran and Syria and more or less gives radical Islam a powerful voice inside of a moderate Muslim nation. I am not saying that they technically are a state, I am saying they more or less act as their own state, and have everybit as much power as the official government itself. And they have that power because of support from Iran and Syria.
    It does not operate within the borders of a single nation. Also, as you say, it receives and depends upon operational support from at least two other nations. This makes it a super-state actor and means that it is false to say it operates solely within the borders of a particular state. It is not a state-within-a-state but an independent non-state actor, and acts as such, certainly not as a state.
    93: Slane
    96: Cork, Dublin
    00: Dublin
    06: London, Dublin
    07: London, Copenhagen, Nijmegen
    09: Manchester, London
    10: Dublin, Belfast, London & Berlin
    11: San José
    12: Isle of Wight, Copenhagen, Ed in Manchester & London x2
  • It does not operate within the borders of a single nation. Also, as you say, it receives and depends upon operational support from at least two other nations. This makes it a super-state actor and means that it is false to say it operates solely within the borders of a particular state. It is not a state-within-a-state but an independent non-state actor, and acts as such, certainly not as a state.

    I think we are more or less arguing semantics. But my point is, they are an organization that more or less operates the way they want, despite the fact that they arent the official government, yet at least militarily, have as much power as the official government.
  • dg1979us wrote:
    I think we are more or less arguing semantics. But my point is, they are an organization that more or less operates the way they want, despite the fact that they arent the official government, yet at least militarily, have as much power as the official government.

    Sometimes semantics are important. But this at least I agree with.
    93: Slane
    96: Cork, Dublin
    00: Dublin
    06: London, Dublin
    07: London, Copenhagen, Nijmegen
    09: Manchester, London
    10: Dublin, Belfast, London & Berlin
    11: San José
    12: Isle of Wight, Copenhagen, Ed in Manchester & London x2
  • brianjdbrianjd Posts: 201
    you are arguing semantics. but good semantics i must say. finally some well reasoned posters on this board. thanks for the forward thinking thought on this thread
    ______________
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  • The military arm of Hezbollah needs to be dismantled, and the political faction needs to disavow violence and terrorism and if they want, become a legitimate political party in the Lebanese system.

    I like this. talk of "eradicating" opposition never sit right with me. Hizbollah needs to be moderated and made into a pure political party.

    Peace
    Dan
    "YOU [humans] NEED TO BELIEVE IN THINGS THAT AREN'T TRUE. HOW ELSE CAN THEY BECOME?" - Death

    "Every judgment teeters on the brink of error. To claim absolute knowledge is to become monstrous. Knowledge is an unending adventure at the edge of uncertainty." - Frank Herbert, Dune, 1965
  • I like this. talk of "eradicating" opposition never sit right with me. Hizbollah needs to be moderated and made into a pure political party.

    Peace
    Dan

    I agree with that, but the military faction of Hizbollah does not need to exist. I dont see a real chance in moderating a group built around instilling Sharia law and violence.
  • dg1979us wrote:
    I agree with that, but the military faction of Hizbollah does not need to exist. I dont see a real chance in moderating a group built around instilling Sharia law and violence.

    Happens all the time. Such groups may be heavy on religious symbolism, but history shows that they are pragmatic brokers in power-politics and realpolitik. IRA has moderated for instance, which was based on religious sectarianism from the outset. Don't confuse religion for the main issue, violence is always about power primarily, anything else secondarily.

    Hizbollahs military wing needs dismantling, I ain't arguing that. But I doubt that the way to go about it is full-scale war and bombardment, as this summer's debacle has indicated.

    Peace
    Dan
    "YOU [humans] NEED TO BELIEVE IN THINGS THAT AREN'T TRUE. HOW ELSE CAN THEY BECOME?" - Death

    "Every judgment teeters on the brink of error. To claim absolute knowledge is to become monstrous. Knowledge is an unending adventure at the edge of uncertainty." - Frank Herbert, Dune, 1965
  • I agree with OutofBreath/Dan, eradicating is just not the right word. It reminds me of "regime change" at the beginning of the Iraq war, and that has turned into a very bad situation for all. Hizbollah is a political party that is not going away, or going to be "eradicated" especially after the war with israel. Support for them has increased, while in the Mideast, I had a chance to witness that firsthand. Name the country, including our allies such as Saudi Arabia, the people have voiced their support for Hizbollah. They are seen as heroes for defending their country (for where was the Lebanese army during this war?) and they are now helping rebuild, which will further increase support for the group. I don't see them going them away anytime soon. Israel wants them destroyed, they call for the UN resolution to disarm all militias, specifically Hizbollah, but yet refuse to adhere to UN resolutions themselves. This is not the Mid-east according to Israel. They are democratically elected party with seats in the Lebanese Parliament and can not be eradicated, removed, destroyed as Israel has failed to do, so now it is going for international help, the UN,to help do its dirty work and for the first time and yet very surprisingly the UN has told them NO.
  • ByrnzieByrnzie Posts: 21,037
    dg1979us wrote:
    Hizbollah should be abolished because they are more or less a state within a state that is funded by 2 separate countries and operate by their own accord. They are basically a more established version of the taliban and play their part in ruining the most progressive country in the middle east.

    The same could be said of Israel. They are more or less an offsore U.S military and strategic base within the Middle East who operate by their own accord at America's bidding. They are basically a more established version of the taliban - I.e, a lawless terrorist state - and play their part in ruining the middle east.
  • Hezbollah is of no help to the Lebanese as long as they turn to terrorism and violence. Israel will ALWAYS use terror and violence, even in the case of 2 soldiers being kidnapped (an action not even the U.S. would take), and it will gain support as long as Hezbollah reacts in the same manner. Hezbollah will also gain support by acting this way, but in the long run, there will be too much death and destruction. I think the Lebanese prime minister is on the right track with what he said last week:

    "Israel has to accept the peace initiative of the Arab Summit of 2002 and return all the occupied territories and renounce all acts of aggression and then sign the peace treaties with all the other Arab countries and create the state of Palestine and give the (Palestinian) refugees the right of return. Yes, (then) Lebanon will sign the peace treaty, when everybody signs a peace treaty."

    The problem is, Israel will never sign something that renounces their own acts of aggression. I think Lebanon, and every other state in the region, should simply say "sign the initiative of the Arab Summit of 2002". That plan outlines it very clearly.

    Israeli action items:

    "I- Full Israeli withdrawal from all the territories occupied since 1967, including the Syrian Golan Heights, to the June 4, 1967 lines as well as the remaining occupied Lebanese territories in the south of Lebanon."

    "II- Achievement of a just solution to the Palestinian refugee problem to be agreed upon in accordance with U.N. General Assembly Resolution 194."

    "III- The acceptance of the establishment of a sovereign independent Palestinian state on the Palestinian territories occupied since June 4, 1967 in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem as its capital."

    Arab action items:

    "I- Consider the Arab-Israeli conflict ended, and enter into a peace agreement with Israel, and provide security for all the states of the region."

    "II- Establish normal relations with Israel in the context of this comprehensive peace."
  • Byrnzie wrote:
    The same could be said of Israel. They are more or less an offsore U.S military and strategic base within the Middle East who operate by their own accord at America's bidding. They are basically a more established version of the taliban - I.e, a lawless terrorist state - and play their part in ruining the middle east.


    How is Israel ruining the middle east anymore than Iran or Saudi Arabia or Syria? And Israel is a recognized government by the UN, so you cannot compare them to Hizbollah. Israel certainly can and should be criticized for many things, but Hizbollah is an organization with basically one purpose.
  • ByrnzieByrnzie Posts: 21,037
    dg1979us wrote:
    How is Israel ruining the middle east anymore than Iran or Saudi Arabia or Syria? And Israel is a recognized government by the UN, so you cannot compare them to Hizbollah. Israel certainly can and should be criticized for many things, but Hizbollah is an organization with basically one purpose.

    O.k, I was over-simplifying things. Just as a lot of people on here have been over-simplifying the status of Hizbollah in Lebanese society.
  • Byrnzie wrote:
    The same could be said of Israel. They are more or less an offsore U.S military and strategic base within the Middle East who operate by their own accord at America's bidding. They are basically a more established version of the taliban - I.e, a lawless terrorist state - and play their part in ruining the middle east.

    Completely wrong, sorry. That's just not accurate. The political relationship between the U.S. and Israel is a lot more complicated than this. Typically American response, though ... Even the American liberals think they are the centre of the universe. ;)
  • CosmoCosmo Posts: 12,225
    The military arm of Hezbollah needs to be dismantled, and the political faction needs to disavow violence and terrorism and if they want, become a legitimate political party in the Lebanese system.
    ...
    Agree... what political party has their own militia? Leastwise, in a political system other than our own (Western Democracies).
    The only thing that I would question is the legitimacy of Hezbollah... I mean, after all, there were a lot of people who voted them into power. What does this say about Democracy in the Middle East? I guess, there are a lot of people over there who agree with their political views.
    In Iraq... we are seeing the same thing happening with the Shi'ite militias of Al Sadr. If, or when, he and/or his party win democratically held elections... it is Hezbollah all over again.
    Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
    Hail, Hail!!!
  • brianjdbrianjd Posts: 201
    purrmo wrote:
    I agree with OutofBreath/Dan, eradicating is just not the right word. It reminds me of "regime change" at the beginning of the Iraq war, and that has turned into a very bad situation for all. Hizbollah is a political party that is not going away, or going to be "eradicated" especially after the war with israel. Support for them has increased, while in the Mideast, I had a chance to witness that firsthand. Name the country, including our allies such as Saudi Arabia, the people have voiced their support for Hizbollah. They are seen as heroes for defending their country (for where was the Lebanese army during this war?) and they are now helping rebuild, which will further increase support for the group. I don't see them going them away anytime soon. Israel wants them destroyed, they call for the UN resolution to disarm all militias, specifically Hizbollah, but yet refuse to adhere to UN resolutions themselves. This is not the Mid-east according to Israel. They are democratically elected party with seats in the Lebanese Parliament and can not be eradicated, removed, destroyed as Israel has failed to do, so now it is going for international help, the UN,to help do its dirty work and for the first time and yet very surprisingly the UN has told them NO.
    When has the UN ever done anyones dirty work...let alone the Europeans led by the French. Give me a break!
    ______________
    Irvine 1992, Las Vegas 1993, Mountain View 1994, San Diego 1995, Los Angeles 1996, Los Angeles 1998, Moutain View 1999, San Bernadino 2000, Los Angeles 2000, Irvine 2003, Irvine 2003, Moutain View 2003, Santa Barbara 2003, San Diego 2006, Los Angeles 2006, Santa Barbara 2006
  • brianjdbrianjd Posts: 201
    Cosmo wrote:
    ...
    Agree... what political party has their own militia? Leastwise, in a political system other than our own (Western Democracies).
    The only thing that I would question is the legitimacy of Hezbollah... I mean, after all, there were a lot of people who voted them into power. What does this say about Democracy in the Middle East? I guess, there are a lot of people over there who agree with their political views.
    In Iraq... we are seeing the same thing happening with the Shi'ite militias of Al Sadr. If, or when, he and/or his party win democratically held elections... it is Hezbollah all over again.

    Most Islamophiles just will never see the point. UN 1559 passed by the international community, including the Europeans, called for the not disarming of all non-state militias in Lebanon. Not only was this resolution followed, the militias were allowed to received billions of dollars of weapons from State actors; Syria and Iran, by way of Lebanon. It is too bad that the Arab nations cannot get their rogue elements in line with International Law. This is the result. If Hizbollah should be allowed to keep its arms and militias, why shoudln't Al Qaeda?
    ______________
    Irvine 1992, Las Vegas 1993, Mountain View 1994, San Diego 1995, Los Angeles 1996, Los Angeles 1998, Moutain View 1999, San Bernadino 2000, Los Angeles 2000, Irvine 2003, Irvine 2003, Moutain View 2003, Santa Barbara 2003, San Diego 2006, Los Angeles 2006, Santa Barbara 2006
  • CommyCommy Posts: 4,984
    I think a lot of people overlook the fact that Hizbollah has popular support within Lebanon, more so than they had before the Israeli invasion, as the people saw Hizbollah defending them from Israeli aggression. Also, and perhaps more importantly, they have political support within Lebanon. Its not a foreign group of terrrorist operating like the Contras with absolutely no popular support, they are more of a militia.
  • brianjdbrianjd Posts: 201
    Commy wrote:
    I think a lot of people overlook the fact that Hizbollah has popular support within Lebanon, more so than they had before the Israeli invasion, as the people saw Hizbollah defending them from Israeli aggression. Also, and perhaps more importantly, they have political support within Lebanon. Its not a foreign group of terrrorist operating like the Contras with absolutely no popular support, they are more of a militia.
    Call them what you want. The UN has called them an illegally armed militia and required the government to disarm them. You are either going to enforce International Law or you aren't. Being popular and having guns does not give them legitimacy. There are groups in this country who are very popular in the regions they are from. Just go to a militia camp in Michigan and you will see it for yourselves. Hezbollah can contribute meaningfully to a Lebaneese governement through elections and politics like we do here in the West. If they choose to live by their own rules...they will die by their own rules.
    ______________
    Irvine 1992, Las Vegas 1993, Mountain View 1994, San Diego 1995, Los Angeles 1996, Los Angeles 1998, Moutain View 1999, San Bernadino 2000, Los Angeles 2000, Irvine 2003, Irvine 2003, Moutain View 2003, Santa Barbara 2003, San Diego 2006, Los Angeles 2006, Santa Barbara 2006
  • CosmoCosmo Posts: 12,225
    brianjd wrote:
    Call them what you want. The UN has called them an illegally armed militia and required the government to disarm them. You are either going to enforce International Law or you aren't. Being popular and having guns does not give them legitimacy. There are groups in this country who are very popular in the regions they are from. Just go to a militia camp in Michigan and you will see it for yourselves. Hezbollah can contribute meaningfully to a Lebaneese governement through elections and politics like we do here in the West. If they choose to live by their own rules...they will die by their own rules.
    ...
    The homegrown militias in the U.S. are usually staunchly anti-Government... they hate the government, yet, embrace the Constitutiuon that creates it. I think they want the place run the way they see it.
    Hezbollah is a legitimate political faction... imagine the Democratic or Republican parties with their own armed militias. That's crazy... to us. Maybe in the Middle East, it's business as usual.
    Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
    Hail, Hail!!!
  • brianjd wrote:
    When has the UN ever done anyones dirty work...let alone the Europeans led by the French. Give me a break!

    The UN has always favored Israel, according to a study of Marc Weller, University of Cambridge found that israel has enjoyed a "virtual immunity" from enforcement measures such as an arms embargo and economic sanctions typically adopted by the UN against member states condemned for indentical violations against international law. (Finkelstein xviii) And for the first time in a very long time the UN has refused to bow to israel, they have said NO we will not do your dirty work (to disarm Hizbollah, a democratically elected party, now with increasing favor across the Mid-east) which you have failed at.
  • purrmo wrote:
    The UN has always favored Israel, according to a study of Marc Weller, University of Cambridge found that israel has enjoyed a "virtual immunity" from enforcement measures such as an arms embargo and economic sanctions typically adopted by the UN against member states condemned for indentical violations against international law. (Finkelstein xviii) And for the first time in a very long time the UN has refused to bow to israel, they have said NO we will not do your dirty work (to disarm Hizbollah, a democratically elected party, now with increasing favor across the Mid-east) which you have failed at.
    Were talking about enforcing them. THey havent the balls to enforce any of their BS resolutions which is a large reason we find ourselves in Iraq. Tired of hearing about the UN. Grow a pair is what I say
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