BACKGROUND – TALKING POINTS – FACTS – ACTIONS – 10/7 RESOURCES – STORIES
Israel’s northern towns have been under a relentless barrage of deadly Hezbollah rockets, missiles and drones displacing more than 60,000 Israelis – the equivalent of 2 million Americans – for the last year. The attacks have displaced Israeli citizens from their homes, schools and businesses since Oct. 8, 2023. In response, Israel launched a series of targeted military operations, including the recent Israeli Air Force killing of Hezbollah terror chief Hassan Nasrallah – eliminating many Hezbollah leaders.
Israel began sending ground forces into Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon, including entering Hezbollah’s underground tunnel system that houses militants and a massive weapons arsenal poised to attack Israel. The extensive tunnel network rivals the Hamas terror infrastructure in Gaza. Iran launched an unprecedented and broad-based missile attack into Israel on Oct. 1, just as Israel was launching military action to stop Hezbollah’s months-long aggression in the north. The attack forced Israeli citizens into bomb shelters and a terrorist attack near Tel Aviv killed eight Israelis. Iran’s claim that it was avenging the deaths of terror chiefs in Gaza and Lebanon only cements the regime’s tight hold on its terror group proxies.
The Israeli strikes also killed the Hamas operations leader in Lebanon who was employed as a school teacher and principal by UNRWA, the controversial UN agency established solely to support Palestinians across the Middle East. UNRWA’s chief denied knowledge of any terror connection even after the teacher’s suspension for ties to Hamas.
Iran-backed Hezbollah, part of Iran’s extensive terror network, continues to spread violence and fear on behalf of its sponsor. The Islamic Republic of Iran, which refers to America as “Big Satan” and Israel as “Little Satan,” also supports the Houthis in Yemen and various militant groups in Iraq, all of which have intensified their attacks on Israel, further escalating regional tensions and threatening global shipping.
Global Terror Network: Hezbollah Kills Americans and Jews Around the World
In its 42 years, Hezbollah has built a vast global terror empire, extending far beyond its base in Lebanon. The Iran-backed group operates sophisticated networks often funded through criminal enterprises. A 2017 ground-breaking Politico report detailed the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Project Cassandra investigation into the terror group’s funding.
The DEA described Hezbollah as “one of the biggest transnational organized crime groups in the world” that “leveraged relationships with corrupt foreign government officials and criminals to create a network that can be utilized to move tons of cocaine, launder drug proceeds on a global scale and procure weapons and explosives.” Hezbollah also exploited America’s used-car market, shipping vehicles to West Africa and funneling profits from cars and drugs into terrorism. This vast underground economy spans Latin America, Africa and Europe.
Hezbollah has directly caused the deaths of hundreds of Americans through bombings, hijackings and assassinations around the world. The 1983 bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut – killing 241 American servicemen – remains one of the most devastating attacks on U.S. military personnel in history. The 1985 hijacking of TWA Flight 847 resulted in the brutal murder of U.S. Navy diver Robert Stethem. Iranian-backed militias in Iraq killed more than 1,000 American soldiers.
The Israeli Defense Forces recently revealed that Hezbollah positioned 3,000 terrorists to invade Israel immediately after the 10/7 massacre, but Israel expected this and boosted its defenses. Jewish communities worldwide also are frequent targets of Hezbollah’s terror. The group orchestrated the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center in Argentina, killing 85 in a calculated attack. Hezbollah regularly attacks Israelis in countries from Bulgaria to India.
President Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan honor the victims of U.S. Embassy bombing in Beirut, Lebanon, that killed 83 (bottom right). The other image is the aftermath of the Khobar Towers housing complex bombing, killing 19.
Middle Eastern Muslims Celebrated Israel’s Attack: ‘May Allah curse Nasrallah’
In Lebanon, Syria and Iran, some Muslims celebrated Nasrallah’s death, viewing it as retribution for the group’s many years of oppressive actions. In Lebanon, residents suffer under Hezbollah’s gradual takeover of the country’s political and military power over the last several decades.
In Syria, where Hezbollah backed the Assad regime’s brutal civil war crackdown, including mass executions of its own citizens, some Syrians expressed relief. A crowd passed out sweets and chanted, “May Allah curse your soul, Nasrallah!” Comments to a reporter included, “We are happy about the killing of Nasrallah, who sent his soldiers to massacre the Syrian people, to kill our women and children,” and, “Netanyahu 1, Nasrallah 0!”
A leading Saudi journalist wrote: “From Bin Laden to Nasrallah and everyone in between – they all set fire to the region and they were all killed in their homes and basements. Israel’s intelligence infiltration will remain the greatest story for decades to come.”
In Iran, dissenters cheered the downfall of a figure seen as an extension of the regime’s influence and its oppressive Middle Eastern policies. Iranians gathered outside the Israeli embassy in London, waving Iranian, Israeli and British flags in support of Israel’s actions against Hezbollah.
American, Palestinian and News Media Praise Nasrallah: ‘Perfect’ Grandfather
In contrast, some American organizations and even some media found ways to mourn the death of the Hezbollah leader. Virulently anti-Israel Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace chapters praised Nasrallah. A post from one group stated in response to his killing: “‘death to israel’ [sic] is not just a threat. it is a moral imperative and the only acceptable solution.”
In Dearborn, MI, the Hadi Youth Community Center held a memorial service where participants wept. An imam called Nasrallah “perfect.” The center has a history of praising Hezbollah and Iranian terrorist leaders. In July, an imam invoked a blood libel – accusing Jews of murder to use the victim’s blood in a Jewish ritual: “Israelis are skinning the Palestinians, or harvesting their organs.”
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas “sent his condolences to Hezbollah for the act of martyrdom by Nasrallah.” Other Palestinian leaders offered their “warm, heartfelt condolences.” An official PA newspaper published a cartoon that also invoked the antisemitic blood libel.
Several prominent news sources included portrayals of Nasrallah not only as a tyrant and a terrorist leader but also as a father figure, with some pointing to his “propensity to crack jokes.” The Guardian described “a qualified Islamic scholar, effective public speaker and competent organizer.” Wikipedia editors used these descriptions as a justification for suppressing his description as a terrorist.
American bipartisan support for Israel remains strong. President Biden: “Nasrallah and the terrorist group he led, Hezbollah, were responsible for killing hundreds of Americans over a four-decade reign of terror. His death from an Israeli airstrike is a measure of justice for his many victims, including thousands of Americans, Israelis and Lebanese civilians.” President Biden ordered a significant increase in troops and war planes to the region to fortify Israel’s defense.
You might hear: Israel is indiscriminately bombing Lebanon. > REALITY: Hezbollah is indiscriminately bombing Israel. The Iran-backed terrorist group is firing rockets at Israeli homes, schools and businesses. In stark contrast, Israel has targeted its attacks against Hezbollah operatives, leaders and their extensive weapons arsenal. Anti-Israel activists falsely claimed that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza before 10/7, intensified their claims after 10/7 and are now applying the same language to Lebanon. The statements made by U.S. Rep. Tlaib and her allies are factually wrong and libelous; they seem incapable of condemning actions committed by terrorists against Israel.
You might hear: Israel is an apartheid state. > REALITY: There are 2.1 million Muslim Arab citizens of Israel with equal rights, representing 21% of Israel’s 10 million citizens. The only Jews in Hamas-controlled Gaza are the 101 hostages, with only half thought to be alive today. The Palestinian president has repeated multiple times that there will be no Israelis – meaning Jews – living in a future Palestinian state, which includes the West Bank.
Voices of reason must speak out now
Now is the time to show your solidarity with Israel. Stand against the misinformation being spread about Israel and America and share the facts. Engage in conversations with your family, friends, and colleagues, explaining that Israel’s actions are not acts of aggression, but necessary steps toward securing lasting regional peace. Your voice can make a difference.
Next week marks the first anniversary of the Oct. 7 Massacre. Here are several resources to consider in commemoration of the Hamas attack that killed more than 1,200 innocent civilians, injured more than 4,000 while more than 200 were taken hostage to Gaza.
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This content is developed by The Focus Project in partnership with MERCAZ USA. The Focus Project distributes weekly news and talking points on timely issues concerning Israel and the Jewish people, including antisemitism, anti-Zionism and the delegitimization of Israel. It represents a consensus view across a spectrum of major American Jewish organizations. MERCAZ USA recognizes and respects the diversity of views on these issues among its readers and the community at large.