.Hezbollah, hero of the Arabs
My column accusing US and Israel as the real “axis of evil” led some of my readers to raise the following questions: “It is correct that the Israeli aggression and the support given to it by the US and others are indefensible from a moral point of view. But, let’s take a look at it from a strategic point of view: Would you rather see Hezbollah (and HAMAS) rather than Israel as the winning side of the current conflict? Would not a Hezbollah victory and the strengthening of the Shiite belt starting from Iran have a negative impact on Turkey? Do you approve of Hezbollah’s and HAMAS’s political stances?” These questions provide a good opportunity for me to state my views of Hezbollah (and HAMAS).
I, certainly, do not approve of either Hezbollah’s or HAMAS’ radical Islamic politics and their aims for organizing society on the basis of religious rules. I am strictly committed to secularism, i.e. separation of stat politics and religion. I am against involvement of religion in politics, and vice versa. I am, nevertheless, aware that religion which is normally related with the spiritual-moral world of human beings, can assume social and political roles when conditions require. Today, we see that religion can undertake political roles not only in Muslim – majority countries but also in countries with Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Catholic, Protestant, etc. majorities. Religion surely plays a political role among the Shii Lebanese and Sunni Palestinians.
Let’s begin with Hezbollah. First of all, let me emphasize that there is no relationship whatsoever between the Hezbollah in Turkey and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The Hezbollah in Turkey was an illegal, brutal, radical Islamic organization of the Kurds. It is claimed that it enjoyed official assistance in its fight against the secularist Kurdish illegal terror organization the PKK, and was crushed when it had completed its function. Hesbollah in Lebanon, on the other hand, is the strongest legal political organization of Shiite Arabs who form nearly a third of the population, and who live in the southern part of that country neighboring Israel. Hezbollah is a “national” organization which emerged from the resistance and victory against the Israeli occupation of South Lebanon from 1982 to 2000. It is by that token a representative of Lebanese patriotism. Hezbollah is also the social solidarity organization of the Shiites who form the poorest segments of Lebanese society. Hezbollah at the same time is the political party struggling for a fair representation of the Shiites in Lebanese politics. It is an organization which one the one hand is engaged in political work by participating in elections and government, while on the other hand assumes the duty of defending the country against Israeli aggression.
It is certain that Israel’s recent attacks on Lebanon in order to disarm Hezbollah, which appear to have been planned months ago, has increased Hezbollah’s popularity to a great extent both at home and abroad. Hezbollah is on the way of becoming the national hero of the Arabs. According to recent polls, at least 40 percent of Lebanese Christians who normally regard Hezbollah a “calamity”, and at least 60 percent of Sunnis support Hezbollah in the recent crisis. Despite the fact that I have no sympathy for the political philosophy and principles of Hezbollah, I respect its struggle in defense of its country and people against Israeli aggression, and its solidarity with the Palestinians who suffer Israeli occupation and oppression.
Hezbollah is a genuine organization which emerged from the needs of the Lebanese Shiites. It is neither a puppet of Iran or Syria, although it is supported by both. I believe that both Hezbollah and HAMAS are likely and are already giving signals to lay down their weapons, and engage in peaceful political work, inevitably responding to the demands for freedom and democracy of their peoples, once Israel gives up the policy of trying to impose its conditions by brutal force, and decides to conclude peace with its neighbours in Palestine, Syria and Lebanon through negotiations.
It is not Hezbollah or HAMAS that would affect Turkey negatively, but by inciting hostility towards the West and Western values the governments of US and Israel which have turned their backs to the Western values and the interests of their peoples.
Zaman
Lots of wishful thinking, if you ask me.
I, certainly, do not approve of either Hezbollah’s or HAMAS’ radical Islamic politics and their aims for organizing society on the basis of religious rules. I am strictly committed to secularism, i.e. separation of stat politics and religion. I am against involvement of religion in politics, and vice versa. I am, nevertheless, aware that religion which is normally related with the spiritual-moral world of human beings, can assume social and political roles when conditions require. Today, we see that religion can undertake political roles not only in Muslim – majority countries but also in countries with Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Catholic, Protestant, etc. majorities. Religion surely plays a political role among the Shii Lebanese and Sunni Palestinians.
Let’s begin with Hezbollah. First of all, let me emphasize that there is no relationship whatsoever between the Hezbollah in Turkey and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The Hezbollah in Turkey was an illegal, brutal, radical Islamic organization of the Kurds. It is claimed that it enjoyed official assistance in its fight against the secularist Kurdish illegal terror organization the PKK, and was crushed when it had completed its function. Hesbollah in Lebanon, on the other hand, is the strongest legal political organization of Shiite Arabs who form nearly a third of the population, and who live in the southern part of that country neighboring Israel. Hezbollah is a “national” organization which emerged from the resistance and victory against the Israeli occupation of South Lebanon from 1982 to 2000. It is by that token a representative of Lebanese patriotism. Hezbollah is also the social solidarity organization of the Shiites who form the poorest segments of Lebanese society. Hezbollah at the same time is the political party struggling for a fair representation of the Shiites in Lebanese politics. It is an organization which one the one hand is engaged in political work by participating in elections and government, while on the other hand assumes the duty of defending the country against Israeli aggression.
It is certain that Israel’s recent attacks on Lebanon in order to disarm Hezbollah, which appear to have been planned months ago, has increased Hezbollah’s popularity to a great extent both at home and abroad. Hezbollah is on the way of becoming the national hero of the Arabs. According to recent polls, at least 40 percent of Lebanese Christians who normally regard Hezbollah a “calamity”, and at least 60 percent of Sunnis support Hezbollah in the recent crisis. Despite the fact that I have no sympathy for the political philosophy and principles of Hezbollah, I respect its struggle in defense of its country and people against Israeli aggression, and its solidarity with the Palestinians who suffer Israeli occupation and oppression.
Hezbollah is a genuine organization which emerged from the needs of the Lebanese Shiites. It is neither a puppet of Iran or Syria, although it is supported by both. I believe that both Hezbollah and HAMAS are likely and are already giving signals to lay down their weapons, and engage in peaceful political work, inevitably responding to the demands for freedom and democracy of their peoples, once Israel gives up the policy of trying to impose its conditions by brutal force, and decides to conclude peace with its neighbours in Palestine, Syria and Lebanon through negotiations.
It is not Hezbollah or HAMAS that would affect Turkey negatively, but by inciting hostility towards the West and Western values the governments of US and Israel which have turned their backs to the Western values and the interests of their peoples.
Zaman
Lots of wishful thinking, if you ask me.
posted by madtom at 11:53 PM
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