Heir to the Black Cloak: "Hashem Safi al-Din" Succeeds His Cousin "Nasrallah"

Heir to the Black Cloak: "Hashem Safi al-Din" Succeeds His Cousin "Nasrallah"
The choice of Safi al-Din as Nasrallah's successor reflects the party's desire to maintain ideological and organizational continuity, while relying on family ties to enhance legitimacy
September 30, 2024, 1:04 am

هاشم صفي الدين \ تعبيرية \ متداولة

Journalistic sources said that the Lebanese Hezbollah has appointed Hashem Safi al-Din as the new Secretary-General of the organization, succeeding Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in airstrikes targeting a suburb of Beirut. This appointment comes in the wake of the heaviest blow the party has received in its 42-year history.

This move highlights the close relationship between Safi al-Din and Nasrallah, as Safi al-Din is Hassan Nasrallah's cousin. Both men wear the black turban, which is considered a symbol of descent from the Prophet Muhammad, giving them a special religious status among the party's followers.

As head of the Executive Council, Safi al-Din oversaw Hezbollah's political affairs, in addition to his membership in the Jihad Council responsible for managing the group's military operations. Safi al-Din survived the recent Israeli attacks, according to a source within the party.

It's worth noting that the U.S. State Department classified Safi al-Din as a terrorist in 2017, reflecting the ongoing tension between Hezbollah and the United States.

Safi al-Din has been known for his anti-American policy stances, stating in 2017: "This mentally handicapped and crazy American administration led by Trump will not be able to harm the resistance."

Analysts view the choice of Safi al-Din to succeed Nasrallah as based on several factors, including strong family ties and physical resemblance to Nasrallah, in addition to his religious status. Nasrallah had begun paving the way for Safi al-Din by involving him in various party councils and giving him a platform to speak publicly.

Safi al-Din's public statements reflect Hezbollah's armed stance and its alliance with the Palestinian cause. At a recent event in Hezbollah's stronghold in Beirut's southern suburb, Safi al-Din declared: "Our history, our rifles, and our missiles are with you," referring to his solidarity with Palestinian fighters.

Safi al-Din now faces the challenge of leading Hezbollah amid tense regional circumstances and increasing international pressure. It will be interesting to observe how he deals with these challenges and whether he will follow his predecessor's approach or adopt a new strategy in leading the party.

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