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Source: https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-890995
Criticism of Hizbullah Growing in Lebanon
(Jerusalem Post) Batya Giladi - Where public criticism of Hizbullah in Lebanon was once rare and dangerous, now more voices, even from within the Shi'ite population, are questioning its role and the consequences of its actions on the country. While Lebanon has yet to see a broad or organized protest against Hizbullah, a certain loosening of the fear barrier can be identified, particularly on social media. Jonathan Alkhouri, a Lebanese affairs analyst, told Maariv, "We are seeing more people speaking out openly, posting videos, giving interviews, and asking why Hizbullah operatives are acting within civilian populations despite the risks this creates. Such things would never have been aired before." Alkhouri also pointed to a shift in Lebanon's media language, which is moving away from defining Hizbullah as a "resistance organization." "There is more and more use of terms like 'militia,' and this is part of an attempt to deny it legitimacy." Lebanon's Ministry of Information issued a directive to state-run media to stop using the term "resistance" in reference to Hizbullah.