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Hizballah Gives Hope to Palestinians

[San Jose Mercury News] Matthew Schofield - Last month, Murad abu Shadi Marshoud, 26, of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades in Balata, had a revelation. "We've been doing everything wrong," he said. "Hizballah has shown us the way [and]...given us hope." Marshoud and other Palestinians involved in the fight against Israel say they must emulate Hizballah's guerrilla war tactics and training, its political savvy, and its abundant funding from outside sources if it is to challenge Israel with any effectiveness. "For us a brigade is formed when four friends decide they are a brigade. I've never had a day of training. None of us have. Hizballah fights with anti-tank missiles - that they know how to use." To be sure, there are significant differences between the two militant organizations. Hizballah spent six years digging into southern Lebanon. The Palestinians, by comparison, live side-by-side with Israeli forces, dealing daily with military checkpoints and patrols. Beyond that, Hizballah is well-funded, and by sources outside the control of Israel. Moving money around the West Bank is much more difficult. And Hizballah trains and supports its fighters, while Palestinian fighters have fewer weapons and no training.
2006-09-12 01:00:00
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