FLASHBACK: Nasrallah says only military strength can provide protection, since US and Israel disregard international law
Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah has reportedly been killed as part of an Israeli assault on Lebanon’s capital Beirut, which the New York Times called “a stunning escalation in Israel’s campaign” against the Lebanese political party and militant group.
Earlier this year, Decensored News reported on a speech in which Nasrallah addressed the situation in Gaza — and the “global order” more broadly — which is worth revisiting in light of this high-profile and highly consequential assassination.
In his remarks, delivered on January 3, 2024, Nasrallah accused the US of hypocrisy and double standards with regard to international law, saying the entire world has seen “who continues to challenge the will of the international community”:
“The Americans come here and they preach to us and they lecture to us on international resolutions…”
“As stated by the head of one [UN] humanitarian organization… Israel has made sure to trample every single international law in the past two months…”
“Of course the Americans are with the Israelis in defying the will of the international community…”
“When 153 countries… reach a decision in the UN for a comprehensive ceasefire… and this resolution is opposed by only 10 countries, including the US [and] Israel… and Israel ends up completely ignoring this resolution… then we have the right to ask: Who is it that respects the international community? Who is it that respects international resolutions?…”
From a Guardian article published on December 12, 2023:
“The US was looking increasingly isolated on the world stage on Tuesday after a resounding [UNGA] vote… calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza… A thumping 153 member states… backed the resolution…”
— Decensored News (@decensorednews) September 28, 2024
What Nasrallah was referencing: https://t.co/Neb97zo92A pic.twitter.com/6I2XhhidOb
In the same speech, Nasrallah said that Israel’s assault on Gaza has demonstrated that international institutions, the “global order,” and international law are not able to protect vulnerable populations like the Palestinians, or anyone else—only military strength:
“The US have shown us that they do not respect the international community, they do not respect international resolutions, they do not respect human rights and values.”
“This experience has taught us that if you’re weak the world will not recognize you, the world will not protect you… they will not even mourn you.”
“The only thing that protects us is our force, our courage, our weapons, our missiles, and our presence in the battlefield.”
“Only if we are strong can we FORCE the world to respect us.”
Further discussion about Nasrallah, his influence, and the significance of his assassination:
- “Hezbollah Confirms Hassan Nasrallah’s Death as Israel Carpet-Bombs Lebanon” (Jessica Corbett)
- “Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah leader, killed in Beirut in Israeli strike… widely seen as the ‘personification’ of the armed group he led for 32 years” (Al Jazeera)
- “Beirut Bombing: How Many Civilians Can Israel Kill?” (Glenn Greenwald)
- “Hasan Nasrallah died on the road to liberate Palestine” (Ali Abunimah)
- “The Life of Martyrdom” (Sam Husseini)
Update (9/29): See also—
FLASHBACK: Ed Bradley of 60 Minutes reports on Hezbollah in April 2003, including a sit-down interview with Nasrallah
— Decensored News (@decensorednews) September 29, 2024
“You may never have heard of Nasrallah before, but he is a hugely popular figure, not just in the region, but also among Arabs living in the West…”
“Nasrallah… pic.twitter.com/wOU3o3Q4A5
Nasrallah criticizes US foreign policy and talks Iraq, Saddam, and 9/11
— Decensored News (@decensorednews) September 29, 2024
From the same 60 Minutes report (April 2003): pic.twitter.com/2kyMN1rpxL
