Hezbollah: Israeli/Arab Enmity

Paper Summary:

The paper examines Israeli/Arab enmity in the Middle East and the problem of religious extremism. The paper discusses the need for true democratization to emerge in Muslim states and for the replacement of current corrupt political systems controlled by leaders who manipulate their people in order to demonize Israel and maintain their power. The paper maintains that American and Israeli policies have been counterproductive, for they have radicalized millions of Muslims, who have responded with unprecedented support for extremist groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas.

From the Paper:

"Examining the history and ideology of Hezbollah indicates that there is much merit to the accusations of the American and Israeli governments that it is a terrorist organization led by religious fanatics intent upon the destruction of Israel. In response, the leaders of Hezbollah and its supporters and sympathizers reject accusations that they are terrorists and religious fanatics, and insist that Hezbollah and similar groups such as Hamas are simply defending the rights of Muslims against American and Israeli aggression."
"As is the case with most controversies, the truth is somewhere in the middle, for the philosophical observation that one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter certainly applies in the context of current Middle East unrest. According to Military.com (2006) Hezbollah's emergence in the aftermath of the Israeli occupation of Beirut and southern Lebanon in 1982 reflects these diametrically opposed perceptions, for it was due to the determination of Shi'ite Muslims to resist the Israeli presence and support Palestinians in their fight for statehood."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Ehrenfeld, Rachel. (2003). Funding Evil: How Terrorism is Financed and How to Stop It. New York: Bonus Books.
• Esposito, John L. and Voll, John. (1996). Islam and Democracy. Cambridge: Oxford University Press.
• Gunaratna, Rohan. (2003). Inside al Qaeda: Global Network of Terror. New York: Berkley Publishing Group.
• "Hezbollah." Military.com. Online. Available: http://www.military.com/Resources /ResourceFileView?file=Hezbollah-History.htm. 22 September 2006.
• Katz, Samuel M. (2002). Relentless Pursuit: The DSS and the Manhunt for the Al Qaeda Terrorists. New York: Forge.

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