Hizballah and the Israeli Withdrawal from Southern Lebanon
Author(s)
Norton, Augustus Richard
Abstract
Hezbollah’s origins were as a resistance group in Lebanon, acting against the Israeli occupation, and noted for suicide bombings and kidnappings before becoming a well-trained guerrilla force. The movement then moved into the political arena, and although Hezbollah does not oppose Syria’s presence in Lebanon, it only accepts those policies that do not conflict with the movement’s political constituency. Iran’s relations with Lebanon are now based on broad cultural and social tiers rather than privileged support for Hezbollah, thus making the party a committed player in Lebanese politics. Hezbollah has benefited from the drop in support for the Shiite organization Amal, which has been beset by corruption but is Syria’s ally in Lebanon and still a force in Lebanese politics. The success of Hezbollah in opposing the Israelis has given it the support of the Lebanese population, but that could disappear if the movement were to provoke a new wave of violence in Lebanon.
