Moqawama.org Exclusive Interview with Head of Hizbullah Media Relations
Moqawama.org interviewed Mr. Ibrahim Moussawi, Head of Hizbullah Media Relations, on Resistance Week and on the latest developments in the region.
Q: What impact did the three leaders have while being present, and after attaining martyrdom?
To talk about February and the sacrifices of Hizbullah is something very normal. When you talk about the resistance and about defending people; When you talk about confronting aggression... then we are talking about a price that the resistance will pay from the blood of its people. One of things that signify the martyrdom of those leaders is that Hizbullah doesn't make any difference between leadership and base, so everyone in Hizbullah sacrifices for the sake of liberation. All members of Hizbullah are ready to sacrifice for their country. Such sacrifices give the real sense of belonging and sincerity. You are talking about a resistance movement which has leaders that are ready to sacrifice themselves for its cause, then you are sending a message that the resistance is very sincere in its aim to defend oppressed people. Moreover, you are sending a message to the enemy that all people are one hand against occupation and that all people will join the path of the resistance no matter what the cost. It's a strong message to strengthen the resistance in the future.
Q: The "Israelis" thought they would silence the voice of resistance after the assassination of those three leaders, yet their martyrdom has lit a fierce fire against the occupation, paving the way for a new era in Lebanon. How do you view that phase of the resistance's history?
We can go back to the period that followed the martyrdom of the leaders; The "Israelis" thought that when they assassinate the leaders, they would undermine the people of the resistance. Yet the leader's assassination strengthened the people, urging more of them to back the path of the resistance. What happened after the assassination of Sheikh Ragheb Harb, Sayyed Abbas Al Moussawi and Haj Imad Moughneih is that more people joined the resistance. I believe that this is something that the "Israelis" cannot understand; "Israelis" are foolish to think they will weaken the resistance by assassinating its leaders. The resistance emerged stronger after the assassinations. The fact is that the strength of the resistance is not just materialistic, but it is also spiritual. The spirit of the people and psychology of people helped them to touch upon the real cause. People become more loyal to the resistance since it is preserving their dignity, their land and their freedom. In short, the assassination of the leaders has proven to be futile and the aim behind the assassination resulted in contrast consequences.
Q: One of Sayyed Abbas al-Moussawi's great strategies is that he aimed for the presence of resistance among people and the presence of people in the resistance. This strategy has evolved creating deep rooted legacy for Hizbullah among most Lebanese, how did this strategy affect the confrontation with the "Israeli" entity?
When we talk about the resistance, we are talking about the people of resistance who embrace its cause. The sea of the resistance is its people, the resistance's leaders and fighters are the sons of the society. They are form the basic matrix of the community. Hizbullah is not detached from its people since the resistance serves for a cause which is defending all Lebanon. Hizbullah want to defend people all people. When you talk about fighting occupation, you talk about a common theme. People are suffering and all of us sympathize with oppressed people and we stand up for them. The resistance becomes one with the people. Hizbullah revolts against the oppressor, becoming a vital part of the daily life of the people. The resistance has been always there, from the people to the people. We were able to see what happened in 2006, all Lebanese gathered around the resistance, celebrating the divine victory. All Lebanese were proud of the victory which was achieved by the resistance. We have to mention that the Lebanese proved their dedication and devotion to the cause during the July war.
Q: After a life full of Jihad, sacrifices and accomplishments lived with a longing to martyrdom, Islamic Resistance leader Hajj Imad Moghniyeh (Hajj Radwan) was assassinated by "Israeli" hands in 2008. Who is Imad Moghniyeh? How did this event further reinforce Hizbullah's commitment to the path of resistance?
Hajj Imad Moghniyeh is one of the important leaders for he was able to help in achieving victory; he was able to tip a balance with the "Israelis" and to find new ways to counter the "Israeli" threats. Hajj Imad delivered heavy blows to the enemy's intelligence. We are talking about an icon for young people. He was able to strengthen the youth's trust in their abilities to defeat the enemy.
Q: Hizbullah's media has evolved over the years in reaction to trends within the local, regional and international contexts; moreover, it has integrated with internet technology which enhanced its ability to reach multiple constituencies. How did Hizbullah translate its resistance to the Lebanese and to the wider Arab World through its media campaigns?
It's a continuous efforts made by the resistance in order to show its real image, we all know that we are being victimized by the western and "Israeli" media. Hizbullah and its media outlets are referred to as terrorist agents. Western and "Israeli" media campaigns are exerting strained efforts to distort the resistance's image. Hizbullah outlets have worked hard to make a balance in order clarify Hizbullah's real goals .Furthermore, the audience of resistance has been also targeted by a psychological war. The resistance with all its outlets has been able to confront these attempts, noting that those who support the resistance in the media are working hard to match the honorable cause and scarifies of the resistance.
Q: The U.S. House of Representatives has recently agreed on a bill to censor some of the Arab news media, particularly satellite channels if Washington deems, with "Israeli" backing, that these satellite channels are broadcasting content that is in conflict with American and" Israeli" interests in the Middle East. Noting that the United States claims to defend human rights and freedom of the press, does the US have a new definition for the freedom of the press which relates to anything that does not harm American or "Israeli" interests?
We are taking about double standards and one-eye perspective. The American Congress is manipulated by the "Israeli" lobby .We have many incidents that prove how much they are influential in twisting realities.
Americans didn't come out with a clear definition of terrorism. Once I said to the American secretary of state, Colin Powel, that since US defines terrorism as exercising violence to attain political goals , isn't what was going on in Jiniin mere terrorism and he said yes.
The Freedom of press is for their press, one of the ideas they created to cover the truth is what they call impeded journalists. Journalists stay in bed and the US administration tells them what to say and what not to say: this is censorship. America occupies a land and covers the reality. This means they are afraid of freedom of press for if the truth came out they will be sued for their actions.
Such expansionist and unethical American acts take place every day. The latest is the scandal of kidnapping Haitian children. America even dared to confess that their presence in Haiti is a kind of occupation. Haiti needs help and not occupation. These horrible actions tell us about their degraded morality
Q: How do you explain the party's success in transforming itself from a local Lebanese resistance movement into an icon and model of resistance in the Arab and Muslim world?
The sincerity of the resistance, the righteousness of its cause, its devotion as well as its victory has put it in the spot light. There is also another face since many people around the world are being terrorized by America and "Israel" in Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, and Haiti. I believe people are suffering from the same source of oppression; they are looking up to a liberation movement which was able to defeat occupation and to retain dignity to its people.
Q: How do you view the continuous "Israeli" threats against Lebanon?
Hizbullah is ready for any kind of confrontation if "Israel" wants to go into any war against Lebanon. I don't see any indicators for a war. The threats are a part of the psychological war. "Israel" is an enemy with which we should be always ready for any sudden confrontation. Yet I don't for see any imminent "Israeli" attack in the foreseeable future.
Q: In the Islamic Resistance Week of, what is your word of resistance for the people of resistance?
In the Resistance Week, my message to our people is to always stick to their principles and to trust God in order to defeat the enemy .Victory is ours since our cause is righteous. Moreover, we are defending our dignity from an occupier.
