The Hizbollah?

[Eziekial]

So I've been reading a lot of the coverage on the Isreal vs. Hezbollah/Lebanon conflict and wanted to ask you fine folks what your take is. Is Hezbollah just a resisitance movement created by the 1982 Isreali occupation of southern Lebanon as they claim, a fundemental religous military organization, or a terrorist group? Which brings me to wonder if the saying "One mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter." holds water.
Thoughts?

[Zanchief]

The people in Lebanon don't think they're terrorists, neither do most Arab nations, so I think saying does apply.

[Arlos]

They are, u nfortunately, many things. Besides being a fundamentalist paramilitary organization, that has engaged in terrorist activities, they also operate a large network of social services that directly benefit the poor.

For example, right now in Beirut, where civilians were dying from collateral damage from the israeli airstrikes, Hezbollah arranged for the opening of an underground parking garage which is part of the construction of a new shopping mall to be used as a combination refugee site and bomb shelter. They also made sure that everyone who fled to the site was given food, water, blankets, mattresses, and is directed to medical attention if they need it.

Now, I certainly cannot condone terrorist acts against civilians in any way. Paramilitary actions vs the Israeli military are certainly more justifiable, but so is at least some response BY israel to such attacks. Whether or not the missiling of obviously civilian cars, and even clearly marked red cross ambulances is "reasonable" response, that's another question.

In any case, the fact that Hezbollah gains the support and backing of the average population is precisely why Israel will functionally NEVER be able to uproot them. As we found in Vietnam, it is impossible for an unpopular foreign army to uproot a popularly supported paramilitary resistance. The US couldn't kill off the Viet Cong, the Israelis aren't going to be able to kill off Hezbollah either.

-Arlos

[Eziekial]

Are they that popular? I was reading how the northern Lebanese do not see Hezbollah the same way the southern ones do. In fact, they feel that Hezbollah has created this crisis and they are arabs as well. Without that force, wouldn't the Lebanese government be in a position to provide those services? I feel that the Hezbollah are operating because they have funding from Iran and Syria because they attack Isreal and the Lebanese government can't do anything about it.

[Arlos]

They're popular enough to have a significant minority of seats in the Lebanese Parliment. Something like 30%. So perhaps not overhwleming support throughout the nation, but it's not insignificant either.

-Arlos