Upon analyzing the first speech by Hezbollah’s new "Secretary General," one must pause at his remark, "Our decision to join the support front (for Gaza) was a success." This raises the question: Does this "our" refer to "the Party"? Or to the people of the South, the Beqaa, and Dahyeh? Or perhaps all of Lebanon?
As soon as Sheikh Naim Qassem took his position as the Secretary General of Hezbollah, he subconsciously sought to embody the persona of the “martyred” former chief, Hassan Nasrallah.
Suddenly, Qassem became more eloquent, issuing threats against America and weaving colloquial Lebanese into his rhetoric, mirroring the distinctive style that Nasrallah had perfected in his speeches.
Aside from the stark differences between the two men, a careful examination of Naim Qassem's 60-minute speech highlights several key points, most notably his statement, "Our decision to join the support front was a success." This prompts the question: Does this "our" refer to Hezbollah, the people of the South, the Beqaa, and Dahyeh (Beirut’s southern suburb), or possibly all of Lebanon?
If it refers to Hezbollah, what success is Sheikh Naim Qassem referring to? Is it the success of his appointment as Secretary General? Or the success of negotiations led under fire and the endorsement of Resolution 1701 after years of stubbornness and refusal? Or is it the success in incurring "losses"? Qassem, who intentionally placed Nasrallah's framed picture in front of him, seems to have forgotten that his predecessor and comrade in arms fell victim of this very front!
However, we will not outdo Qassem. At this point, dozens or even hundreds of followers of the pro-Iranian faction will come forward to uphold that martyrdom is a form of worship, a goal, and an honor! They will claim that they fear no death and that their leader's martyrdom is a badge of honor. To this, we say that you are entitled to your beliefs, which we respect, as long as you do not drag us into the abyss!
On the other hand, if this “our” or "we" refers to the South, the Beqaa, and Dahyeh, then let us first ask: Where is Dahyeh today? Where are its landmarks and distinctive features? Where is the vitality that has been reduced to rubble?
And where is the South, whose mosques and churches have not been spared from destruction?
What has become of the South, where Israeli tanks brazenly bulldoze its villages from time to time, reducing what little remains of their homes to rubble?
And where is the Beqaa, Sheikh Naim? The Beqaa, whose residents have been displaced and are now "trapped" between the fires of bombardment and threats, along with the burdens of displacement weighing heavily on Lebanese areas?
However, here again, we will take a step back, as Sheikh Naim Qassem may not keep up with the news and perhaps has never seen the Israelis in Kfar Kila or in Yaroun. It’s also possible that someone from within the "resistance" milieu will come forward to assure us that reconstruction is imminent, that the war will come to an end, and that everything will return to normal, echoing the catchphrase that the people of the land will work to revive it once again.
However, if this "we" refers to Lebanon, then allow us a moment to pause, and Sheikh Naim, please enlighten us, where exactly has Lebanon succeeded? Is it in the toll of destruction? Is it in the Israeli reconnaissance drones that hover over any part of the country? Is it in the assassinations happening in areas that are meant to be safe?
What exactly have we achieved, Sheikh Naim? Half of us are displaced without having chosen this war! Many have had their homes destroyed despite having previously opposed this war. More than half, if not more, have lost their homes, livelihoods, land, and even their villages — all because you pursued a support front that we did not choose, a front that has turned our land into scorched earth, with no one to stand by us!
Indeed, Sheikh Naim, we have achieved success!
We have come to realize that your battlefields are weaker than a spider's web and that your unity is a falsehood and heresy. So where are Iran and Syria today? Where are the fighters amidst the ongoing devastation in Lebanon, in every sense of the word!
Yes, we have succeeded!
We have come to realize that we are victims: yours, your axis, and Iran’s. We are victims of an ideology that does not represent Lebanon, and all it has done is lead to our destruction.
We succeeded! We have come to realize that you are far removed from your slogan, “We protect and we build”, which you have paraded between elections. Perhaps it is time to replace it with a more truthful statement, admitting that in your calculations and those of your axis, we are merely “In the service of Iran” and “At the mercy of your gambling with our destiny!"
But no, Sheikh Naim, reevaluate your equation and understand clearly that we are not “in service of any Party”! We have gained nothing from your front, your war, your weapons, or anything else associated with your Party!
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