Hezbollah
Hezbollah (literally "Party of Allah" or "Party of God")—also transliterated Hizbullah, Hizballah, etc.—is a Shia Islamist political party and militant group based in Lebanon. The party participates in the Lebanese eledtions and is represented in the Lebanese parliament. Its current leader is Hassan Nasrallah. The organization was created during the Israeli occupation of Lebanon, opposes Israel, and is supported by Iran. For stated involvement in terrorist attacks in various countries, the organization or its military wing is considered a terrorist organization by various countries and organizations, including by Sunni such. It has also been accussed of being involved in drug smuggling to Western countries in order to finance the cause.
History
Hezbollah is one of the most famous and successful groups resisting international Jewish Zionism. Despite claims by Jewish controlled governments, such as the United States, Hezbollah are in no way a terrorist organization, unlike Salafist groups. They have broad support as Lebanese national resistance movement (including from some Lebanese Christians).
Hezbollah first emerged during the Lebanese Civil War in the early 1980s as a militia of Shia followers of the Ayatollah Khomeini, trained, organized and funded by a contingent of Iranian Revolutionary Guards. In its 1985 manifesto, Hezbollah listed its three main goals as the eradication of "Western colonialism" in Lebanon, the bringing to justice of those who committed atrocities during the war (specifically the Phalangists), and the establishment of an Islamic government in Lebanon.
Since then Hezbollah has temporarily abandoned the goal of transforming Lebanon into an Islamic state at this time. Hezbollah leaders have also made numerous statements calling for the destruction of Israel, which they describe as an unlawful "entity".
Hezbollah has popular support in Shi'a Lebanese society and has mobilized demonstrations of hundreds of thousands. According to UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Hezbollah receives its financial support mainly from the donations of Lebanese Shi’ites.
- "According to frequent accounts in the western press, the group also receives considerable support from Iran and Syria".
Hezbollah has "operated with Syria's blessing" since the end of the Civil War. Hezbollah, which started with only a militia, has grown to an organization with seats in the Lebanese government, a radio- and a satellite television-station, and programs for social development. Since 1992, the organization has been headed by Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, its Secretary-General.
