Hezbollah also is organizing daily tours of the destruction for visiting
diplomats, Lebanese politicians, business leaders and anyone else who wants
to see. The campaign is not directed as much against Israel, which caused
the devastation during 34 days of bombing, as at the United States, which
supplied Israel with most of the weapons used. The U.S. also provided
diplomatic support for Israel to continue the war despite international
appeals for a quick cease-fire.
"People knew during the war that these were American bombs falling on us, in
Israeli hands," said Ghassan Darwish, a Hezbollah official in charge of the
propaganda effort. "People are receptive to these slogans, especially `Made
in USA.'"
But to Hezbollah's critics, the campaign is intended to deflect attention
from the militia's abduction of two Israeli soldiers on July 12, which
provoked the fighting. At first, many Lebanese - especially Sunnis,
Christians and members of the Druze minority - were angry at Hezbollah for
dragging the country into a war. As the Israeli offensive intensified,
killing hundreds of civilians and destroying Lebanon's infrastructure, that
anger turned toward Israel and the United States.
"There is an effort by Hezbollah to obscure its own actions and the
consequences they had," said Mohammad Abi Samra, an editor at the
Beirut-based An-Nahar newspaper and a Hezbollah critic. "By blaming America,
Hezbollah wants to tell the Lebanese people that this was a conspiracy
against it and capturing the two soldiers did not matter. ... Lebanese are
angry at America and Israel, but they still blame Hezbollah for its role in
this war."
From the war's early days, Hezbollah leader Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah focused
on the United States and its backing of Israel. In an Aug. 3 speech
broadcast on the group's TV station, Nasrallah claimed that Israeli Prime
Minister Ehud Olmert was carrying out American wishes by attacking Lebanon.
"The ones who bear most responsibility for what has happened since the first
day of this war - in killing, massacres and destruction - are Bush and his
administration," Nasrallah said. "Olmert and his government are only tools
that carry out the orders."
In this context, analysts said, it is natural for Hezbollah to direct its
post-war public relations offensive at the United States. By extension, the
group also is targeting U.S. allies in the Lebanese government, including
Prime Minister Fuad Saniora.
While it showcases the destruction, Hezbollah is also quick to capitalize on
its military success.
On the roads into Haret Hreik, the group covered billboards that normally
advertise cigarettes and perfume with posters proclaiming "The Divine
Victory." The banners have silhouettes of fighters, some holding machine
guns, others standing next to a rocket launcher.
will you plse behave william. i suggest you focus on writing poems when you
feel the urge to say samething agressive
> I Pray for Hezbullah..
> ALLAHUAKHBAR..
Pray for your ass not be fucked by your fellow Muzzies who are mostly
child molesters like your so-called prophet Muhammed, the notorious
phedopile.
Now go blow yourself up in a desert of your choice, 72 virgins are
waiting for you in your
non-existent "Paradise".
RR
I wouldn't worry about this. It was obviously a drunken post.
>
Worry about your drunken ass, the most Muzzies are horny gays, too.
RR
Maybe he is kofis reach around boy?
so you are one lucky fellow.
Don't be a hater Heine.... It is good that we have some well balanced
Europeans around here for a change.