Sheikh Naim Qassem: The Resistance, the Army, and the Lebanese will Jointly Confront Any "Israeli" Aggression

Local Editor, 10-02-2010

His Eminence Sheikh Naim Qassem, the Deputy Secretary-General of Hizbullah, delivered a speech yesterday at a ceremony at al-Jinan Hall, hosted by Women's Activities in the Islamic Resistance Support Association.

  

 
Qassem addressed those who tell the resistance not to fight because that way, so they claim, the nation would lose. Qassem challenged them saying, "What is your alternative to fighting and confrontation? Is it to give up, to surrender and accept "Israel's" terms? By God, Would "Israel" stop if it laid its hands on all the money in the world? What are we to do in the face of "Israel's" gluttony that consumes all funds, lands and dignities?"

"Why don't we stand together to say ‘No!' just one time?" Qassem argued.

"We hear a lot of political theories about political realism in people's lives," His Eminence stated, asking, "What realism is this that considers only the direct and momentary interests of people? They tell people, 'if war ever erupts, escape.' How are they to escape? Then they tell them, ‘Fine then, put your hand out to ask for a settlement.' If they accept settlement, it would only be from a weak position. They would become slaves for those with whom they intend to make a settlement; they would never be equal to their opponent. If they face a challenge, they would be told, ‘Don't you take your fundamental stance.' What are they to do? Are they to surrender only to surrender their strength to the opponent? Only to make the opponent a leader, granting him his wishes while they lose their lives?"

"God wants people to be free, strong, proud, and capable of expressing their humanity," Qassem stressed, warning that a settlement might offer people some temporary conditions, but they would rapidly disintegrate in a few months.

His Eminence continued to say, "In contrast to political realism, which means humiliation, compromise and surrender, originality is learned from Imam Hussein (pbuh). This originality consolidates a strong position from which sacrifices we offer allow us to feel as if we have offered more than others. At any rate, we will be recorded as dignified people in history."

"It is in death, not life, that Imam Hussein (pbuh) has prevailed," His Eminence explained.

The Deputy contended the argument that this preaches a culture of death, insisting that "Martyrdom teaches values and gives us moral power and confidence ten times stronger than the forces of evil. With this spirit we break the existing imbalance of power and conquer the fear of death," adding that he who does not fear death is granted life, both earthly and heavenly.

On the subject of "Israel's" continuous threats, Sheikh Qassem emphasized that the resistance "has always been our only solution. The resistance, which liberated Lebanon with its jihad and youth, now protects it in its readiness. Without it "Israel" would have invaded Lebanon time and time again to feed its political, economic, cultural and military ambitions."

Qassem protested the ongoing international attempts to delete Palestine and the Palestinians, saying that "Israel" wants Lebanon to resettle the Palestinians and build Palestinian camps in the south in order to put pressure Lebanon's economy, allowing "Israel" to become an economically stronger Tyrannical entity.

"Lebanon's strength" he added, "is in its resistance, people and army. This is what gave it its freedom and made the world listen to its demands. This is the true strength of Lebanon and not its weakness as some claim. "Israel" only withdrew when it was faced by force, not by crying, pleading international demands or global support. If anyone has any other proof, let them come forward and present it."

"I therefore ask, why all this focus on the resistance's weapons? - a focus which only harms the resistance and Lebanon whereas the resistance is caused by the "Israeli" occupation, repeated aerial violations, occupation of Shibaa Farms, Kfar Shouba Hills and Ghajar."

The Deputy made it clear that Lebanon "is no longer an open vulnerable terrain for "Israel" to toy with whenevr it wants. The resistance we will continue to be prepared on high alert."

Qassem explained that Lebanon must protect itself with unity saying, "At this point, we must salute the national trinity force: the resistance, the army and the people. We ought to applaud the three heads-of-State and the official Lebanese stance, a stance which clearly confirmed that "Israel" should be faced with resistance, not weakness. This is, in fact, Lebanon's strength."

Qassem asked how anyone could believe in diplomatic solutions "after they tried and tested diplomacy and Resolution 425 which remained unimplemented, placed on the backburner in the United Nations from 1978 until 2000? The resistance, and only the resistance, forced "Israel" to withdraw from most parts of southern Lebanon."

On the much-debated subject of who makes the call of war and peace, Qassem maintained that it is not the resistance's call. "Such decisions are completely and fully in "Israeli" hands. "Israel" decides on whether circumstances are feasible for its wars. We are in the defensive position and we have the right to remain ready on high alert so as not to be taken by surprise."

Regarding the fourth anniversary of the understanding which took place between Hizbullah and the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), His Eminence stressed that the success of this memorandum "is unparalleled by anything resembling it between any sides in Lebanon", adding, "The first line and passage in this understanding begins with the word dialogue, where the text says 'National dialogue is the only way to find solutions to the crises afflicting Lebanon.' And, again, the last line concludes with 'to protect Lebanon from "Israeli" threats through a national dialogue leading to the formulation of a defense strategy on which the Lebanese agree.'"

"This understanding does not bar understandings and agreements between Hizbullah and the FPM with others," Qassem explained. "To the contrary, Hizbullah has always advocated understandings to prevent sedition between Sunnis and Shiia, and Christians and Muslims, such as in the quadripartite understanding."

The deputy concluded, saying, "Attempts were made to isolate Hizbullah and the FPM, but with our understanding we broke through this isolation and opened the door wide path for cooperation, and we are ready for cooperation with all other knowing that Lebanon can only be built by the cooperation of all its parties and sides, and it cannot be ruled by exclusivity; therefore, compromise and dialogue are the rule."

Sheikh Naim Qassem's speech comes days before Hizbullah's annual Resistance Week celebrations. The week-long celebrations pay tribute to the martyrs and martyr leaders of the Islamic resistance party.