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Why the Arab Street Is Celebrating Israel's Killing of Hizbullah Chief Nasrallah

(Newsweek) Muhannad Alazzehbr - After Hizbullah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah was targeted and killed in an Israeli air raid, the overwhelming majority of people posting comments on social media from Arab and Islamic countries are positive. Many go beyond that to outward gloating. There are videos of people handing out sweets in the streets, and an overwhelming sense of joy at what looks like the end of Hizbullah as we know it, as Israel continues to target its commanders. During the 2006 war between Israel and Hizbullah, mass demonstrations by protestors declaring their allegiance to Nasrallah were held daily across Arab and Islamic countries. What changed? Hizbullah is an ideological party based on loyalty to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini. Hizbullah's fealty to Khomeini is what pushed the party to engage in civil wars in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, and to intervene in the protests in Bahrain years ago. These interventions by Hizbullah were against the Muslim citizens in those countries, most of whom were engaged in revolts against tyrannical dictatorial regimes. Hizbullah's support for criminal and corrupt regimes has had a much stronger impact on the Arab and Islamic masses than Hizbullah's attacks on Israel. Hizbullah's involvement in repressive actions in neighboring countries elevated strongman leaders who oppressed their fellow Muslims, which angered enough people that Israel was able to recruit a large base for espionage missions. From the perspective of the overwhelming majority of Arab and Muslim peoples, Hizbullah is a destructive element that fuels sectarian conflicts and supports authoritarian regimes as long as the Supreme Leader of Iran wishes to support them. The writer is a former member of the Jordanian Senate.
2024-10-01 00:00:00
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