Sayyed Nasrallah’s Full Speech Marking International Al-Quds Day

Translated by Staff

Hezbollah Secretary General His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's full speech marking International Quds Day on May 7, 2021.

I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan. In the name of Allah the Most Gracious the Merciful. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, and prayers and peace be upon our Master and Prophet, the Seal of Prophets, Abi al-Qassem Muhammad Bin Abdullah and his good and pure household and his good and chosen companions and all the prophets and messengers.

Peace and Allah's mercy and blessings be upon you all.

God Almighty says in his glorious book:

In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
{Allah keeps firm those who believe, with the firm word, in worldly life and in the Hereafter. And Allah sends astray the wrongdoers. And Allah does what He wills.} Allah Almighty has provided this truth.

Before we delve into tonight’s topics, I would like to touch on the issue of my health. On Wednesday, I had a cough during a religious lecture. The cough is still there, which worried some loved ones. I would like to assure everyone, God willing, that I don’t have anything serious. I do not have corona, nor do I have symptoms. All it is is that I got an inflammation in the trachea, and this is something that has been happening for years because of a change in the weather or some specific problem. That’s why I have a cough.

Today, although we took all the medications and precautions to be able to speak, yet I might still cough. I assure you not to worry, but if I see myself uncomfortable or if I bothered you, I will shorten the speech. And if God Almighty made it possible, God willing, with your prayers, we will shed light on a few things that we are supposed to talk about today.

This blessed and great day was declared by His Eminence Imam Khomeini after the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran as the International Quds Day. In his honorable life, the Imam went on to affirm the importance of this day and call on people to mark it. After his departure from this mortal world to his eternal place, his successor, His Eminence Imam Sayyid Khamenei, emphasized this same approach and path.

This is the commitment of the Islamic Revolution in Iran and all its friends in the world since that time. This is, in any case, the firm position because the position towards Al-Quds, Palestine, the Palestinian cause, and the Palestinian people is not a purely political, tactical, or interim issue. Rather, it is a matter of belief and faith. It is a religious, humanitarian, and ethical issue. It is a matter of absolute right that cannot be changed or swapped as time and place change.

In any case, those who believed, God Almighty will support them. Therefore, we find that the position announced today by His Eminence Imam Khamenei, all the officials in the Islamic Republic, and the leaders in the axis of resistance is proof of steadfastness.

And when we say it is a matter of belief, it means that a person does not abandon his god, his faith, or his religion, not like some of the Arabs of Quraysh who made gods from dates, and when they got hungry, they eat some of these gods and sold others.

Today is the day of expressing that steadfast position. Of course, it’s customary on International Quds Day that we look at the strategic environment in the region, the surroundings of occupied Palestine and the “Israeli” entity, the Palestinian situation, the status of the enemy entity, the position of the axis of resistance, and the horizon of the conflict. Then, we talk about things related topic. This is usually the program on Quds Day. But I will tackle at the end of the speech two points related to Lebanon and “Israel”. The first point is the issue of demarcating the maritime borders and the discussion and negotiations taking place. The second point is the “Israeli” maneuver that will start on Sunday and will continue for weeks. This is a major, multi-sided maneuver that will take place at the level of the entity. Due to its potential repercussions on Lebanon, I will also address this issue in the final part of the speech, God willing.

I will proceed from the structure of my brief speech that I gave during the unified podium a few days ago.

1- I will first start with the steadfastness of the Palestinian people. This is a very important issue. The steadfastness of the Palestinian people is the basis. We used to always talk about the steadfastness of the Palestinian people, their adherence to their right, not abandoning Al-Quds, not giving up their legitimate rights, and not submitting to intimidation, threats, blockade, and temptation, and at the same time, they remain in the squares, albeit in a varying manner from time to time. 

But this is the general scene – their presence, rejection, loyalty, and adherence to the truth. This is very important. Therefore, the Palestinians' adherence to this right and the cause of their struggle and resistance is in fact what give legitimacy to every axis of resistance and every support provided to the Palestinian people, be it political, military, financial, economic, moral, media, or security, any kind of support.

Over the years, we’ve heard the argument used by some Arab countries and even some political forces in the Arab and Islamic world that have abandoned the resistance, with some normalizing. The argument is that the Palestinians themselves abandoned [the cause]. Of course, this is obviously a historic lie, meaning a blatant, clear, and shameful lie. The Palestinians have not abandoned Al-Quds, their land, their rights, the refugees, or their state. 

Despite all these years, here they are declaring their adherence and presence today in east Al-Quds, in Bab Al-Amoud, and now in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. Unarmed Palestinians confronted the [“Israeli”] army, police, and armed settlers. The West Bank and Gaza also interacted with them. So, this is the first point. This is an important development.

Today, the “Israelis” thought that atmosphere of frustration, the coronavirus [outbreak], the siege, or the financial and economic pressures, would break the Palestinians and would no longer have the energy to confront, especially those in Al-Quds or in the West Bank. But they were surprised by the events happening, in addition to the military operations that took place.

The most important and dangerous development to stress on is Gaza Strip and its military resistance and missiles entering the confrontation line in A-Quds. The West Bank entering the front line is a normal thing since Al-Quds is in the West Bank. 

The Gaza Strip entering in this way does not require any inference. Of course, this was the decision of the Palestinian factions. They issued statements and spoke clearly and threatened. It is enough for us to follow the “Israeli” comments, from officials, commentators, and analysts, as well as the “Israeli” media. All of them agree that this is a very dangerous development. Of course, it is a dangerous development that is in favor of the Palestinian people. It is a dangerous, important, and positive development that benefits the people of Al-Quds and the West Bank – when Gaza enters the conflict.           

The enemy's concern has always been to separate Gaza from this battle by besieging it and through its constant threat of bombing and war. This development is very important and opens great horizons for the resistance. On International Quds Day, I call on the leaders of the Palestinian factions, resistance fighters, and honest and steadfast people to continue this position and approach because it will certainly impose and change part of the equations of conflict and part of the rules of engagement in favor of the Palestinian people and Al-Quds, as well as in favor of the protection of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Maqdisiyeen.

So, the first topic is Palestinian steadfastness. I mentioned a few days ago that when we talk about Palestine from the sea to the river, Al-Quds, and not abandoning Al-Quds, there are some who always ask us: Do you want to be more royal than the king? I tell them: No, we will not be more royal than the king, and we are confident that a king is a king, and the Palestinian people are the real king and are worthy and fit to preserve Al-Quds, the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and their land, and their rights. We must all help them and be on their side. We must not look for justifications and flimsy excuses to give up this responsibility and battle. This is the responsibility of the entire nation alongside the Palestinian people.

2- The second matter that we will be discussing briefly, God willing, is the stability of the axis of resistance. This is also very important when it comes to the region and has a great impact on the Palestinian cause and on the conflict with the “Israeli” enemy.

If we take, for example, some of the titles of the axis of resistance, we will find that the most prominent one is the Islamic Republic in Iran. There is no doubt today that among all the countries and forces of resistance Iran is the strongest country in the axis of resistance due to its size, capabilities, its population, location, capabilities, cohesion, and regime.

For more than forty years, there has been an American, Western, and “Israeli” effort, in the region as well, to topple the Islamic Republic regime and bring it back to the arms of America and the American-Western “Israeli” camp. All this failed. 

All the American and “Israeli” bets, especially the “Israeli” as well as Netanyahu’s bets, regarding Iran, have failed, of course with Trump leaving. When Trump used to make threats about war, Imam Khamenei used to say: there is no war. There is no phantom of war. The Biden administration’s priorities are different. His political battle is with China and Russia. Therefore, the choices he or his administration announces is always a matter of containment, diplomacy, and the return to the nuclear agreement within a certain settlement or perception.

Today, for example, the Islamic Republic has overcome the previous stage. There is no actual threat of war – Iran must always be prepared, but we are speaking in general. In any case, the sanctions will be confronted. They will either be lifted by returning to the nuclear agreement, or if they do not return to the agreement the way the Islamic Republic wants, it will continue confronting the sanctions and fortifying its own economic capabilities through all the directives of the officials, the leader, and what the Iranians are doing. 

Hence, What Netanyahu and the “Israeli” government were betting on – which is the subject of criticism within the entity today – is to take Iran to war, that America would launch a war against Iran, or neighboring Arab countries would launch a war against Iran. This is over. Even the bet of some countries in the region, some Arab countries in the region, on an American war on Iran, is also over. This explains some of the changes in the regional positions. So, the Islamic Republic strong, stable, and durable.

“Israel’s” and America’s options against Iran regarding the nuclear issue have also failed. This means that the days when Iran gives up its right to nuclear weapons as a result of the sanctions are gone. Today, the Americans and even “Israeli” experts say that Netanyahu leaving the deal was a big mistake because this allowed the Iranians to run their reactors, let go of many restrictions, and reach 60% enrichment levels. Whereas if he had remained committed to the nuclear agreement, matters would not have reached here. The Iranians decisively responded to some of the attacks on Natanz. In fact, the most important response is to intensify uranium enrichment because this is what terrifies “Israel”. It is not terrified, for example, by an explosion here, an explosive device there, or a missile here, as much as it is terrified by this massive and peaceful nuclear development. This is always a subject of concern for “Israel”.

Hence, the nuclear issue, the regime, the issue of overcoming the difficult stage, its position in the region, the world being keen on negotiating with it and reaching solutions, all these strengthen Iran’s regional and international position. In addition, it is on the verge of new presidential elections.

Also, Iran and the recent Saudi positions is no longer a secret. A Saudi-Iranian dialogue was officially announced to have taken place in Baghdad. It was said that a second meeting took place and was positive. We heard the statements of the Saudi crown prince in which he said Iran was a neighboring country whose prosperity and interests he is keen on. All these are developments in the regional scene. Of course, they all are in the interest of the axis of resistance.

Here, I would like to point out something. We’ve started hearing from some Gulf and Lebanese newspapers and Arabic satellite channels that the friends of Iran should worry. They were focusing on us. They also said that in the end, the negotiations in Vienna or the Saudi-Iranian dialogue will be at the expense of Iran's allies and friends in the region. First, I want to reassure these people that Iran does not need to assure its friends and allies that nothing will be at their expense, at the expense of their countries, and at the expense of their people. Why?

Because for 40 years, in the most difficult circumstances and in the darkest confrontations, the Islamic Republic of Iran did not sell its allies and friends. It did not abandon them. It did not compromise their interests, homelands, and the interest of their people. It did not negotiate on their behalf unless they for its help as a friend. Therefore, from this angle, we support every international, regional, or Arab dialogue with Iran, and we see that it contributes to calming the region, strengthens the axis of resistance and the front of friends, and weakens the enemy. We are reassured about this friend and this big brother, based on our relationship and our faith and ethical knowledge as well as more than 40-year-old experience.

America's friends in the region are the ones who should be worried. That is, “Israel” is now in great anxiety. Some Gulf countries are worried, and that is why they started changing their language and began under the table communications, etc. Those who make a living based on political positions and their relationships are based on money and trade should worry because they may become unemployed in the next stage. From this angle, be confident. Iran's friends and allies in the region are very confident and no one has any worries. You solve your problem and do not worry about us. We are confident that what is happening in the region is in our interest and that of this axis with all its states, forces, people, and resistance movements.

This is regarding Iran. it is the same when it comes to Syria. Syria overcame the war. Today, vast territories are under the control of the state. Of course, the issue of the east of the Euphrates is no longer an internal issue as much as it is an issue of an American occupation and an American presence. Even in the north, if it was only an issue of armed groups, I think it could have been resolved during the past years. But it become a regionally issue related to the Turkish presence. The problem now is with Turkey.

But in general, a large portion of the so-called war has now ended in Syria. Syria is also on the verge of presidential elections. There are many Arab countries that have begun their contacts with the Syrian state, many countries in the world. It was also said that there have been Saudi visits to Syria. I am not the party concerned in confirming or denying this, but I consider this to be normal and logical.

In the past, when the war was ongoing in Syria, at the time of the late King Abdullah and King Salman, the Saudis sent to the Syrian leadership that they wanted to mend the relationship and are ready to end the whole situation in Syria. This is evidence that the situation in Syria was not a purely internal situation, but it was exploited by regional powers. The Saudis made promises in exchange for Syria to sever its relationship with Iran, its main strong ally that stood by its side when the whole world conspired against it. This was, of course, an unreasonable demand. In any case, the Syrian leadership refused. Today, in order to rearrange the relationship with the Syrian leadership, Saudi Arabia cannot set a condition of this kind at a time when Saudi Arabia is holding dialogue with Iran in Baghdad and the Saudi crown prince says that Iran is a neighboring country and it must prosper, and we want relations. So, it is logical today that many of the Gulf countries hold talks with it. Syria is on the path of recovery, God willing. 

Of course, the great and most dangerous challenge is the economic challenge. But Syria is not the only one facing this challenge. Lebanon, Iraq, and even Iran are greatly suffering economically – Yemen, many of the people of the region, the Palestinian people, the people of Gaza. However, all these people are determined to endure this economic stage.

Iraq: The attempt to revive Daesh again will not succeed. The Iraqis are facing it strongly. The targeting of the Popular Mobilization Forces [Al-Hashd Al-Shaabi] has so far failed. The targeting of the resistance forces in Iraq has so far failed.

Yemen: The Yemenis are steadfast, strong, victorious, advanced, and developed. The world is talking about ending the war, but they are not taking any real and serious steps. Eventually, they do not have a choice. They are putting more pressure to achieve certain gains. But the Yemeni people, who are in the squares of demonstrations and sit-ins in solidarity with Al-Quds and the Palestinian people, are also expressing their position.

Here, I must say that developments in Yemen’s political position, the popular presence, the military force, and the qualitative capabilities, are a qualitative, quantitative, and historical addition to the axis of resistance, especially under this wise, courageous, young, dear, and confident leadership that is sincere in everything it says and promises.

So, in the axis, matters we have passed the stage of targeting the presence of the axis, during the past years this axis was destined to be overthrown in the first place, today when we say that we emerged from this battle firm, solid, strong, but more powerful than ever before, this of course is an important development in the environment of the region and the “Israeli” has a thousand accounts made for him. The “Israeli” who was talking about a strategic environment several years ago was happy and relaxed, considering that the whole axis is being destroyed. The “Israeli” day is full of anxiety due to the stability of the axis of resistance and the developments of ability and presence in the axis of resistance.

So, we overcame the stage of targeting the presence of the axis. During the past years, it was not possible for this axis to be overthrown in the first place. Today, when we say that we emerged from this battle firm, solid, strong, and more powerful than ever before, it is an important development in the region. The “Israelis” takes it seriously. Several years ago, the “Israelis” used to talk about a strategic environment and considered that the whole axis will be destroyed. Today, the “Israeli” government is full of anxiety due to the stability of the axis of resistance and the developments of its capabilities.

3- The third point is the international changes – the Trump administration’s departure, the coming of a new administration, and a change – even according to some strategies – the priorities of the new US administration. There is no doubt that this – the American interest and presence in our region – will affect our region. In any case, this worried America's friends, allies, and agents in the region. The first to worry are the “Israelis” because we all know that “Israel’s” main and real strength is, in fact, due to the absolute American support for it and adoption as well as the direct American presence in the region.

Of course, these are also developments are in the interest of the axis of resistance and cause worry to the enemy in one way or another, especially if the withdrawals take place one after the other – the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. In addition, there is the issue of Iraq and east of the Euphrates, the reduction [of troops] in the Gulf region. In general, these are all ideas on the table and are challenges the new US administration is facing.

4- The fourth point is the collapse of some axes and alliances that existed during the past years and were created to face the axis of resistance or other axes. Today, we find that relations between some Gulf countries and Qatar, the relations with Turkey, the Egyptian-Turkish relations, and even those within the axis that collapsed, are getting tense. All this will become clear with time. It is becoming clear that the other axes that seemed to be coherent and sharp and were in the offensive during the past years have either disintegrated or became in the defensive position. These axes moved to preserving what they gained from the previous stage.  

The most important thing in these points is what is related to the “Israeli” entity. While we are currently celebrating "Al-Quds is Closer", one can talk about cracks in the “Israeli” fortress. “Israel”, which presented itself as a fortress and presented a different strategic environment years ago, was proud. It is just normal for Chief of Staff Kochavi as well as their war minister to speak with this language. But let us enter quietly, in a few minutes into the heart of this entity, we will find that it is really in trouble.

We are not underestimating the enemy or belittling it, but we must always have correct, realistic, and true readings about the enemy's reality as well, so that we are not taken by the false prestige, intimidation, and threats that might cause our position to weaken.

For example, one of the cracks in this wall is the internal political crisis – they held the first election. A few months later, a second and then a third second election was held. Why were the elections repeated? Because there is person, Netanyahu, who is determined to remain prime minister. He is insisting on remaining [prime minister] for personal reasons and because he believes that this may save him from corruption trials and imprisonment.

Hence, this entity that began – according to them – as an ideology, vision, and strategy, ended up as an entity and a state in the service of one person named Netanyahu, taking it to one, two, three, four, and perhaps a fifth election. In any case, he has not been able to form a government. There is a new person who will form the government. If he fails, then they will go to a fifth election. There is a problem of real leadership in this entity.

We all know that one of the signs of weakness and decline is when a country has a leadership crisis and the historic leaders are gone –especially today, if one looks closely inside the entity, he will find personal elections, personal goals, personal interests, partisan interests, discourse, hate speech among them.

Forget what they say about the Arabs. There is hate speech between them when they go back to their ethnic or sectarian backgrounds. It is even present within political divisions, and I am not the one to say. Some “Israeli” commentators and strategic analysts started talking about the fact that the entity is on the verge of a civil war. This does not mean that a civil war will happen soon. But the path is heading towards a civil war, and it is a serious concern within the enemy's society.

Another example of the cracking of this fortress is what happened recently with the Syrian air defense missile that reached close to Dimona and caused great concern. Where are the sophisticated and different missile defense networks? They have failed. Of course, it caused a great fuss within the entity.

There is no certainty so far that if a war breaks out – if ten or twenty missiles are fired, you can stop of them – if a real war breaks out in the region, and thousands of missiles were launched from more than one front and axis that the “Israeli” missile defenses will be capable of facing these different missile capabilities. The “Israelis” are not sure. Be confident, people, that the “Israelis” are not sure. The military leadership is trying to reassure them, but they are not sure. Even the military men themselves are not sure.

The dilemma of the home front is the recent incident that occurred in Meron, the stampede, and how people dealt with each other, the police, the ambulance, the attendees, the state apparatus, and the severe confusion. Some senior “Israeli” officials took this incident as a witness to the lack of preparedness of the “Israeli” home front for any war – if an accident like this with tens of dead or hundreds of wounded caused this confusion and this overwhelming chaos, how if there was talk about a war, and how if it was a major war on more than one front!

Regarding anxiety over the Palestinian issue – I also referred to this at the beginning of the speech today – they are very concerned about the possibility of a return to operations in the West Bank. They are very worried about the Gaza Strip entering the front line and the equation. And they vigorously state this. This is a point of great confusion for them – how they will act with this development. This anxiety and confusion are also evident in the words of the “Israelis”.

Among the cracks is the failure of the “Israeli” strategy towards Iran – which I also referred to at the beginning of the speech. Now, there are calls from senior officials, some of them former prime ministers, saying that Netanyahu's strategy during all the past years has failed. Today, there are senior “Israeli” officials and commentators who are holding Netanyahu responsible for inciting Trump to withdraw from the nuclear agreement because they believe that this withdrawal served Iran and not the enemy's entity.

In any case, this is also a problem, also regarding the issue of the army, its strength, and showing off this strength. Today, we read a lot about the reality of the “Israeli” army, its ground forces in particular, and the lack of motivation of many soldiers. I do not want to elaborate on this subject now. There is an attempt to exaggerate. I am not saying that the “Israeli” army is weak, but it is not as strong as Mr. Kochavi is trying to present to us.

For years, the “Israeli” army’s need for a constant injection of morale and measures is what has always pushed it to this continuous training and maneuvers. According to my information, the “Israeli” army conducts the most maneuvers in the region, perhaps more than any army at the level of the Arab and Islamic world. If it was at this level of strength and ability, as it says, it would not need all of these maneuvers that have are taking place on a monthly basis.

In any case, here we also find clear cracks in the “Israeli” entity – the issue of corruption, the issue of religious conflicts, the issue of how they dealt with the coronavirus [pandemic], the Haredim problem, and the religious extremists problem. There are long lists. In the end, the life of any society does not end with a year or two. The diseases of a society do not appear quickly. Now, these diseases are starting to show after all these years and tens of years following the rise of this usurper entity and the illegitimate child. All the signs of weakness, disease, and decline are beginning to appear clearly. At a time when the youth of the Palestinian people is renewed, and the youth of the axis of resistance is renewed. Our belief in God, our faith in our cause, our faith in our right, and our persistence and steadfastness on this path are increasing in strength, presence, vigor, enthusiasm, confidence, certainty, and dependence. Here, there is no moral balance in the first place. The moral balance is in our interest and in the interest of the resistance axis.

Forget about those who are tired and bored as well as those who abandoned. They were never part of the battle. Some of the countries that are normalizing now were never part of the battle, Sudan is fighting in Yemen but not in Palestine. Some Arab countries never raised a sword in the face of “Israel” to say that they are tired and that they sheathed their sword. Nothing has changed. Those resisting are still resisting. They just increased in number and strength. Their faith, abilities, experiences, and certainty in victory also increased. In return, the enemy is clear.

 These normalization steps will not benefit it with anything. Some Arab countries that say they have normalized cannot offer “Israel” any protection. They aspire “Israel” to protect them. Until now, the “Israelis” can protect themselves.

Hence, these developments are very important. Today, the horizon is opened to our region. Today, our responsibility on Al-Quds Day is to stand by the Palestinian people. Of course, the first responsibility falls on the Palestinian people. They have to stand up and continue, and we, the Islamic and Arab nations, and all the free people of the world, not just Muslims but Christians as well, must stand by this righteous cause. They must provide all forms of support and advocacy. The horizon of this battle is open. Its horizon is open to victory. It is not a battle without horizons, achievements, or victories.

Of course, victory may not be near by a knockout. Victory will be cumulative. But a time may come when this victory will be achieved by a knockout. The important thing is that this path continues.

Allow me to comment on two final points on the issue of demarcating the maritime borders between Lebanon and occupied Palestine. Unfortunately, there is a discussion in Lebanon, negotiations are taking place in Naqoura with the “Israeli” entity. There are Lebanese opinions about the demarcation line or the decrees that may be issued. Although we have expressed our position regarding this issue on more than one occasion, there are those who insist on asking why Hezbollah is silent? There are always some doubts about Hezbollah's silence, and sometimes some try to explain Hezbollah's silence is as a result of its embarrassment with its allies.

No, that is not true. When it comes to strategic issues, we do not act embarrassedly with our allies. When we have a position, it is clear. Regarding the issue of borders in 2000, I would like to recall it since there are people in Lebanon who forget, and there are people who do not listen or read, and what they think is what they will keep talking and writing about.

In May 2000, after the liberation, I delivered a speech and said after we in the leadership of Hezbollah studied this matter – because the debate at the time was the subject of demarcating the land borders, and there was no talk about the maritime border. I said that our official position is the following. We, as resistance, will not and do not interfere with the issue of border demarcation. At that time, you know that there was a discussion about the issue of the Shebaa Farms. Some people wanted to demarcate the borders with the Syrians. A discussion took place regarding the seven occupied Lebanese villages that were previously annexed. The people of the villages said these are Lebanese villages, and we want the resistance – and I remember the reasons for the research, what was it? – to continue its operations to regain the seven villages, Qadas, Tarbikha, and Hunin. At that time, we said this would lead to a major problem in the country. In any case, we have an ideological, intellectual, and political vision, etc.

I do not want to go into the reasons now. There were various and varied reasons. We said, as resistance, we never say that in our opinion this should be the borders. So, if someone asks us now, what are the borders? We have nothing to do with this, you have to check with the Lebanese state. Where is the land border? Check with the Lebanese state. Where are the maritime borders? Check with the Lebanese state.

We clung to the Shebaa Farms because, after liberation, the Lebanese government announced that the Shebaa Farms, the Kfarshouba hills, and the Lebanese part of Ghajar are Lebanese territories. We were not part of the government. Hezbollah was not in the government, in the official Lebanese government, the government of Prime Minister [Selim] Hoss, may Allah heal him and prolong his life, and at the time of His Excellency President General Emile Lahoud, may God protect him. This was the position of the Speaker of Parliament and many parliamentary blocs, may God protect them all – the Shebaa Farms, the Kfarshouba hills, and the Lebanese part of the town of Ghajar are Lebanese territories. We in the resistance said that these are Lebanese territories. I am not the one who drew the borders. Likewise, when we come today to the maritime borders. We will not interfere. We did not and will not interfere. Even if a question comes up in the future: you as a resistance do not want to tell the Lebanese that these are our maritime borders, but you are part of the state, the government, and the parliament. If the debate was on the maritime and land borders, what is your position?

We may even, at that time, not give our opinion, and we say we are a blank paper. Let the rest of the Lebanese bear the responsibility for the borders, demarcating the borders. I do not want to go into our reasons. This is a long discussion. But we discussed this topic and found that it is in Lebanon's interest and the sure interest of the resistance to keep us at bay, and this was in 2000. But our allies – we were not allies back then – had different views.

We are neutral, and we took a neutral stance. This issue is fundamental to us, and of course the state, the officials, ministers, and the parties concerned with demarcation must assume their historical responsibility to preserve the rights of the Lebanese people, in land, water, and in everything. They must not concede neither in oil nor gas. They must know they have a strong backbone. Lebanon is not weak at all. Neither “Israel” nor America can impose on Lebanon options that the Lebanese or their opponents do not want. Certainly, when faced with an issue related to demarcating sea, water, oil, and gas borders, the national interest must be the absolute ruler. Personal, partisan, sectarian, and factional as well as the individuals' interests must be put aside.

The second and final point regarding the upcoming “Israeli” maneuver. This maneuver will last for weeks. It is a very large maneuver that they’ve been preparing for during the entire past period. The enemy’s various forces will be taking part in it in stages. In light of the status quo and “Israeli” concern as a result of developments in the nuclear negotiations, in light of developments inside the Palestinian territories, in light of the “Israeli” internal crisis, and in light of Netanyahu's political crisis in the current government, it is our right to call for caution. You know that I do not like to scare people. No one should be afraid, but there should be caution in the region in general and not only in Lebanon. We must be careful, and we in Lebanon will be careful starting Sunday morning because the maneuver will start on Sunday. We will take all the appropriate steps that do not cause any concern in the Lebanese interior. They will be out of sight, too.

But it is important to us that the enemy knows that we will be alert, awake, present, and ready, of course, at a certain rate. This rate might increase or decrease depending on our follow-up of the drills, which will be day and night. In any case, when I tell the enemy that we will be alert, awake, and ready, I am warning them against any wrong move towards Lebanon during the maneuver stage – any wrong thinking towards Lebanon. Any step will be an adventure by the enemy, any attempt to harm the rules of engagement, any security or military targeting.

The enemy may think to resort to these drills – in light of these major maneuvers and because they think that we are afraid or anxious or that we will do a lot of calculations in response to their aggression. They are mistaken. We will not tolerate any error, any transgression, and any aggressive movement by the “Israeli” enemy against all Lebanese territories, be it security or military. This must be understood by the enemy, and I would like to send them this clear message today on International Al-Quds Day.

In any case, brothers and sisters, this day will remain eternal. It will remain alive thanks to you, your voice, your fists, your pens, your rifles, the blood of your martyrs, the patience of your martyrs’ families, your wounded, and the wounds of your wounded, and the groans of your captive loved ones. It will remain thanks to your endurance to all the suffering – at the economic level, livelihood, the blockade, and the wars in the region.

But I tell all the people of our region, to all the resistance forces, and to all the countries that are resisting, this is the right path. It is the path that God Almighty is pleased with. We will take this path sincerely and truthfully, with high readiness for sacrifice, without lying, without boredom, without fatigue, and without despair. We will continue to work night and day. Our capabilities will grow.

The enemy will not be able to harm our capabilities. The enemy will not be able to stop the qualitative and quantitative development in the capabilities of the resistance movements and the axis of resistance in the region, despite everything their doing – even the battle between wars that they resorted to. 

Today, there is a lot of discussion within the entity about the feasibility of this war and that it will not lead to any real and realistic result. Hence, our path is a positive path and a serious one. What we need is more patience, more endurance, more work, more solidarity, cooperation, coherence of arenas, and hard work with all capabilities and energies. We must not submit and surrender. God Almighty promised the patient, the mujahideen, the fighters, those who made sacrifices, and those who are sincere patience, victory, and strength. He promised them victory and invincibility.

We’ve seen all these blessings of the divine promise being fulfilled many years ago through the era of victories that we entered.

I ask God Almighty to grant you success, guidance, and support in continuing this divine, jihadist, humanitarian, and moral path. And we hope, God willing, with the blessing of these great days and these noble nights and with the prayers of all the righteous awliya and the pure, honest, and truthful people that God bless the Palestinian people, Al-Quds, and Palestine with freedom and dignity. May God bless all the people of our region with freedom and an end to wars, peace, security, prosperity, development, strength, unity, integration, and a prosperous and dignified life. God willing, if we have the will and determination, God Almighty will bless us.

Many happy returns. Good luck. May God accept your fast and deeds. By the way, I have committed every Wednesday [to give a weekly religious lecture]. Now, considering that it could be the eve of Eid [Al-Fitr], God willing, I will be exempt from that night. Many happy returns. Peace and Allah's mercy and blessings be upon you all.