Vital Perspective

Other people's blood

Hizb'Allah is trying to refocus the quite bloody Shia holiday of Ashura on killing other people, rather than letting one's own blood in an orgy of self flagellation:

Hezbollah held its main [Ashura] ceremonies in Al Dahiya, a southern suburb of Beirut. Bloodletting wasn't on the agenda, but violence was. "Do you want to suffer with Hussein? Then the setting is ready: the Karbala of the South," Fadlallah said in one of his Ashura polemics, encouraging listeners to martyr themselves fighting Israel. "You can be wounded and inflict wounds, kill and be killed, and feel ... the spiritual joy of Hussein when he accepted his own blood and wounds."

[...]Hezbollah is trying to recast Ashura to serve its political agenda--and to focus Muslim anger on Hezbollah's political targets (mainly Israelis and Americans). Though blood is usually associated with violence, the self-flagellation traditionally practiced on Ashura actually encourages political quietism; it directs violence inward, in contrast with the activist attitude cultivated by Hezbollah. "Self-flagellation doesn't serve a revolutionary, radical purpose," says Amal Saad-Ghorayeb, an expert on Hezbollah. "You are beating yourself rather than your enemy."

Some Shia recognize the naked self interest in Hizb'Allahs efforts:

[...]many Ashura mourners in Nabatiyya explicitly rejected any contemporary political resonance for Ashura. "This is the only thing we have left that has not been used by politicians," said one participant from Nabatiyya. "We sacrifice our blood to honor the memory of Imam Hussein, not to further their agendas." [...]Hezbollah's attempt to recast the Ashura rite is a way of consolidating its control of Lebanese Shia. [...]as squeamish as Western audiences might be when confronted with the bloody images of Ashura, they may have more in common with Nabitiyyans [who ignored Hizb'Allah's edict] than initially meets the eye. As one blood-covered Ashura participant proclaimed defiantly, "Who said Hezbollah can tell us what to do?"

Video: Brigitte Gabriel Discusses Radical Islam in Heritage Foundation Forum

Happy New Year to you all. Before we get too far into other activities, we thought we'd leave you with an excellent series of videos of Brigitte Gabriel discussing radical Islam at the Heritage Foundation. Gabriel is a Christian Lebanese-American journalist, author and activist. She is the founder of the American Congress For Truth, a conservative think tank. The videos will take just under an hour to go through.

Security Sources: IDF Operation Stops Hezbollah-Directed Suicide Bombing

Security sources tell us that two Tanzim operatives were arrested and a Tanzim operative was killed during an IDF arrest operation in Nablus earlier this morning. Rami Rashid Anab Abu Kishak was killed and Tallal Mustafa Abu Lil and Imad Abu Maslem were arrested. The three were being directed by Hezbollah to carry out suicide bombings.

The men were arrested outside the Athad hospital in Nablus, which was used as a hide out and a shelter. This is a common tactic among terrorists in the West Bank who exploit the fact that the IDF avoids operating in hospitals, thereby using them as hiding places to plan terrorist activities.

During the arrest, security forces identified a vehicle which the three wanted men were traveling in, and approached it. The wanted men attempted to flee, leading the forces to fire at them. As a result Kishak was killed, and Maslem and Abu Lil were injured.

The three belonged to a terrorist infrastructure which is being supported and controlled by Hezbollah, and whose function is to carry out suicide bombings in Israel. Furthermore, during the current ceasefire in Gaza, the three continued their efforts to execute suicide bombings.

• Rami Abu Kishak, 27, was involved in attempts to carry out suicide bombings along with two other terrorists, who were killed in recent months during attempts to arrest them. In the past two days Abu Kishak was involved in intensive preparations for a suicide bombing which was prevented by his death.
• Tallal Abu Lil, 33 and a resident of Nablus, had recently recruited several suicide bombers, both male and female, in order to carry out attacks. Some of these were recently arrested, and their planned attacks prevented. Despite these arrests, Abu Lil continued in his attempts to dispatch attacks and to recruit bombers.
• Imad Abu Maslem was involved in attempts to carry out suicide bombings as a member of the Tanzim infrastructure in Balata. Abu Maslem was involved in the recruiting of bombers and in shooting attacks and bomb attacks against IDF forces in Nablus.

58% of Americans Believe War in Lebanon 'Justified'; Partisan Divide Shows

Israel was justified in invading Lebanon in the wake of the kidnapping of two of its soldiers by Hezbollah, respondents to a UPI-Zogby International poll said.

A total of 57.6 percent of the 6,296 U.S. respondents to a Zogby interactive poll said Israel was "justified" in its response while 31.1 percent said it wasn't. Of the 124 respondents who said they were Jewish, 69.9 percent said the invasion was called for and 19.3 percent said it wasn't.

There was a sharp political divide with 85.5 percent of Republicans supporting the Israeli invasion and 52.7 percent of Democrats saying it wasn't justified. Some 57.8 percent of independents agreed that Israel was justified to invade Lebanon. While 16.1 percent of "progressives" said they agreed with Israel's actions, 92.1 percent of those defined as "very conservative" backed the invasion.

Bush Calls on Syria to Stop Using Hezbollah to Intimidate Siniora Government

President Bush has just released the following statement on Syria and Lebanon through the office of Tony Snow:

The United States supports the Syrian people's desire for democracy, human rights, and freedom of expression. Syrians deserve a government whose legitimacy is grounded in the consent of the people, not brute force.

The Syrian regime should immediately free all political prisoners, including Aref Dalila, Michel Kilo, Anwar al-Bunni, Mahmoud Issa, and Kamal Labwani. I am deeply troubled by reports that some ailing political prisoners are denied health care while others are held in cells with violent criminals.

Syria should disclose the fate and whereabouts of the many missing Lebanese citizens who "disappeared" following their arrest in Lebanon during the decades of Syrian military occupation. The Syrian regime should also cease its efforts to undermine Lebanese sovereignty by denying the Lebanese people their right to participate in the democratic process free of foreign intimidation and interference.

The people of Syria hope for a prosperous future with greater opportunities for their children, and for a government that fights corruption, respects the rule of law, guarantees the rights of all Syrians, and works toward achieving peace in the region.

The meat of this statement is the last sentence in paragraph three, where Bush says that "the Syrian regime should also cease its efforts to undermine Lebanese sovereignty by denying the Lebanese people their right to participate in the democratic process free of foreign intimidation and interference." Translation: Stop using Hezbollah, which has brought Beirut to a standstill for the past thirteen days, to try and overthrow the democratically elected Siniora government.

New Chair of House Intel Cmte Lacks Basic Understanding of Terror Groups

Here's a scary report... In an interview with national security editor for Congressional Quarterly, Texas Congressman Silvestre Reyes, the incoming Democratic chairman for the House Intelligence Committee, was unable to answer "fundamental questions" related to the Middle East, including which sects terror groups adhere to.

"Reyes stumbled when I asked him a simple question about al-Qaeda at the end of a 40-minute interview in his office last week," Stein writes for CQ. "Members of the Intelligence Committee, mind you, are paid $165,200 a year to know more than basic facts about our foes in the Middle East."

"The dialogue went like this:

Al-Qaeda is what, I asked, Sunni or Shia?
"Al-Qaeda, they have both," Reyes said. "You’re talking about predominately?"
"Sure," I said, not knowing what else to say.
"Predominantly - probably Shiite," he ventured.
He couldn’t have been more wrong.
Al-Qaeda is profoundly Sunni.
If a Shiite showed up at an Al-Qaeda club house, they’d slice off his head and use it for a soccer ball."

Sunnis who make up al-Qaeda consider all Shiites to be heretics. Al-Qaeda’s Sunni roots account for its very existence. Osama bin Laden and his followers believe the Saudi Royal family besmirched the true faith through their corruption and alliance with the United States, particularly allowing U.S. troops on Saudi soil.

And Hezbollah? I asked him. What are they?

"Hezbollah. Uh, Hezbollah..."
He laughed again, shifting in his seat.
"Why do you ask me these questions at five o’clock? Can I answer in Spanish? Do you speak Spanish?"
"Poquito," I said, a little.
"Poquito?!" He laughed again.
"Go ahead," I said, talk to me about Sunnis and Shia in Spanish.
Reyes: "Well, I, uh...."

I apologized for putting him "on the spot a little." But I reminded him that the people who have killed thousands of Americans on U.S. soil and in the Middle East have been front page news for a long time now. It's been 23 years since a Hezbollah suicide bomber killed over 200 U.S. military personnel in Beirut, mostly Marines. Then of course, there was that was this summer with Israel that was the top story of the day every day for a month.

Israel's Chief of Military Intelligence Warns of al-Qaeda Plot to Attack UNIFIL

MediaLine reports that Israel's chief of Military Intelligence, Brig.-Gen. Yossi Baidatz, has warned that al-Qaeda has increased its presence in Lebanon and has plans to attack the international peacekeeping force stationed there. Baidatz is reported to have told PM Ehud Olmert that al-Qaeda presence is strongest in refugee camps and that because it is seen as a symbol of the West, UNIFIL is an inviting target. An al-Qaeda-Hezbollah alliance is unlikely, however, because al-Qaeda is vehemently anti-Shiite while Hezbollah is comprised primarily of Shiites.

Nasrallah Calls on Lebanese to Demonstrate in Effort to Shut Down Siniora Govt

Thursday afternoon, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah spoke to the Lebanese people about the state of the government. His remarks indicate that Hezbollah intends to do whatever is necessary to bring the Siniora government to its knees. Nasrallah has called upon the Lebanese to demonstrate and go on strike in Beirut tomorrow as a sign of solidarity with Hezbollah.

HASSAN NASRALLAH: In the name of God, the Beneficent and the Merciful. Praise be to God Almighty, and peace and blessings be upon our prophet - Abu Al-Qassem, Mohammad - and upon his good-hearted family and companions, and upon all the prophets and messengers. Peace and blessings of God be upon you.

Dear Lebanese, a year and few months have passed since the formation of the current Lebanese government. This government presented a huge, important, clear and specific ministerial declaration, and also presented important and sensitive assurances to the Lebanese, but after all this time, it is clear that it the government is impotent, unsuccessful and incapable of fulfilling its promises or accomplishing any significant achievements.

We even find that the crises have become worse in all spheres - politically, socially and economically, regarding security and financial aspects and more.

We think that the main reason for the impotency and failure of the government is that it is a one-team government. It is true that the Amal movement and Hezbollah were participating in this government, but they were never actually allowed to be seriously or effectively involved, because the government was a mere superficial legal framework to pass decisions taken within a framework of leadership outside the government, and it is the leadership of the March 14th forces.

Lebanon, with all its complexity, variety, nature and aspects can never be governed or have its crises solved by one side or by a certain coalition, especially given these harsh internal circumstances, and even much harsher regional situation, and very dangerous international situation.

So we called for and are still calling for the formation of a national unity government, because if we want to protect Lebanon's independence and sovereignty, and prevent any external guardianship over Lebanon - because if we want to consolidate and strengthen the support for security, stability and civil peace in Lebanon, because if we want to seriously cooperate to deal with the suffocating social and economic crisis, because if we want to deal with our political crisis on the basis of granting actual representation to all the Lebanese streams and groups, and actual participation in governing the country, because if we want to deal with the various crises and confront the various present challenges - locally, regionally and internationally at this stage - we must cooperate, unite and gather all our efforts. This can only achieved by a real national unity government.

When we talk about a national unity government, we are talking about integration, unity, cooperation and solidarity. We are not talking of cancellation, omitting, uprooting, a monopoly or exclusivity.

In any case, we found that all peaceful attempts at dialogue, negotiation and consultation were met with closed doors because the ruling party insists on its exclusive authority, contrary to the actual national interest and despite its impotency, failure and inability to accomplish any achievements on any level.

Report: Hezbollah Training Madhi Army; Anti-War Critic Disputes Credibility

Administration officials are saying that Iranian-backed Hezbollah is training members of Moktada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army in Iraq. Anti-war critic Joshua Marshall says that this is the new argument for "permanent deployment" in Iraq: we can't leave because the battle there is really a proxy war against Iran.

We don't see an argument emerging that Iraq is a proxy war with Iran, however, Iranian influence with Shiite militias is hardly the 'cooked-up' argument Marshall argues it is, and we would not be suprised if Iranian-backed Hezbollah was providing training for fellow Shiite extremists in Iraq. We look to the statements of a Mahdi commander this summer who said his militia had sent 300 fighters to Lebanon to fight alongside Hezbollah and learn about weapons, bomb-making, intelligence and assassinations. "They are the best-trained fighters in the Mahdi Army," he said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Iranians have provided direct support to Shiite militas, including explosives and trigger devices for roadside bombs, and training for several thousand fighters, mostly in Iran. The training is carried out by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and the Ministry of Intelligence and Security. Recently, an advanced anti-tank weapons, an RPG-29, was used against an American M-1 tank in Iraq. "The first time we saw it was not in Iraq," Gen. Abizaid told reporters in September. "We saw it in Lebanon. So to me, number one, it indicates an Iranian connection."

Reports are that 1,000 to 2,000 fighters from the Mahdi Army and other Shiite militias had been trained by Hezbollah in Lebanon. A small number of Hezbollah operatives have also visited Iraq to help with training. The intelligence on Hezbollah was based on human sources, electronic means and interviews with detainees captured in Iraq.

Hezbollah Leader Nasrallah Set Course for Govt Takeover Prior to Assassination

Here's a Thanksgiving treat that will be new to you unless you're reading this from Beirut. We were able to obtain the full translated remarks of the November 19 speech by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah about accusations of the majority bloc against his terror group. This of course was a precursor to the assassination earlier this week of the anti-Syrian MP Pierre Gemayel.

Just three weeks ago, the White House released a prophetic warning about outside forces aiming to overthrow the government. As we noted on Wednesday, should two more cabinet members be killed, the Siniora government will collapse and Hezbollah will be poised for a takeover.

HASSAN NASRALLAH:  If we begin by agreeing on the principles of forming a government of national unity, and if there is a problem with the number of the ministers who will serve in this government, I will ask that you tell everyone sitting at the roundtable of national dialogue that we are ready to pull out all Hezbollah ministers from this government, for the purpose of making place for the participation of some other political groups in the government. You can also tell everyone sitting at the roundtable of national dialogue that we are ready to grant full confidence to this new government and to give it our support from the outside.

Anyone who thinks this way cannot be looking for a share or a position of authority or a veto. There are basic matters that we must protect in Lebanon. The existence of all different political groups in this government is one of these basic matters of national guarantee. We are ready to give up our seats in this government in order to make place for the participation of these other political groups - if there is a need for that - because we are merely concerned about the consequences of such moves. We are not so concerned about Hezbollah actually sitting in this government of national unity, as long as it is established.

So we say that this accusation is truly unfounded. It has no real basis. This should be very clear.

If I had to respond to each of these accusations, I would have to say that this one is silly, the other one is strange, the third is ridiculous, and so on. I do wish to make fun of all these people who claim that our purpose in creating the current political confrontation is to do service to the Iranian nuclear program. This is very stupid. It is like claiming that changing the prime minister of the Lebanese Republic will guarantee that the Iranian nuclear project will not be stopped and that keeping the current prime minister can be detrimental to the Iranian nuclear program. This is absolutely naive.

The Iranian nuclear program is being dealt with by the greatest powers in this world. It has many regional and international implications. Lebanon, as a state, has no real role to play amidst this international crisis - not the government of Mr. Siniora, not the governing majority. Not even the government of national unity has anything to do with this international dilemma. None of the political movements or the various political groups calling for or opposing the creation of the government of national unity or any other political party in Lebanon have anything to say about this matter. This is akin to saying that the political maneuvering in Lebanon has something to do with the ozone problem.