Perceived Hezbollah Victory Encourages Palestinians
Ryan R. Jones - All Headline News Correspondent Jerusalem, Israel (AHN) - The end to fighting between Israel and Hezbollah Monday morning saw the terror group laying claim to victory, and Palestinian backers enthusiastically embracing that assertion. Hezbollah supporters passed out leaflets throughout Lebanon, especially on the main highway used by refugees returning to the south of the country, congratulating the nation and the terror group on their "big victory" over Israel. The leaflets, as reported by the AP, read, "Congratulations to you on the big victory, with the support of Allah, the holy warriors and your patience." Travelers on the southbound highway were seen flashing "V" for victory. One woman told reporters she was very thankful to Hezbollah chief Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, who "from the first day told us he would return us to our homes, and now he has fulfilled his promise." Palestinian political analysts who spoke to the Jerusalem Post expressed concern that the perception that Hezbollah had beaten Israel would encourage Palestinian extremists and inflame further violence in the West Bank and Gaza. Said former Palestinian Authority minister Ghassan Khatib, "This war will have negative repercussions on the Palestinian arena. The radicals who believe that force is the only way to resolve the conflict will be strengthened as a result of this war." Backing Khatib's assessment was the fact that at least |
