Hezbollah's Role in Palestinian Suffering
September 21, 2024, 11:37 am

Hezbollah's Role in Palestinian Suffering

Michael Arizanti

In the tumultuous landscape of Middle Eastern politics, Hezbollah often positions itself as a champion of Palestinian rights, clashing with Israel under the guise of resistance against oppression. However, beneath this façade lies a stark reality that shatters the group's claim to any moral high ground in the Palestinian cause.

The plight of Palestinians in Lebanon, where Hezbollah holds significant influence, exposes a grim truth often overlooked by international commentators and activists. Approximately 270,000 Palestinians live in Lebanon under conditions that can only be described as systemic marginalization—a far cry from the freedoms and rights enjoyed by Lebanese citizens. Denied basic civil, political, and economic rights, these Palestinians face restrictions on property ownership, access to public services, and are barred from over 30 professions, pushing them to the margins of society. This is a form of modern-day apartheid that Hezbollah, while touting its anti-Israel stance, conveniently ignores.

Hezbollah’s repeated engagement with Israel, often framed as solidarity with Palestine, is nothing more than a strategic play to maintain its power in Lebanon. Its involvement in the conflict distracts from the realities on the ground—where Palestinians within Lebanon remain trapped in legal limbo, their basic rights trampled. Hezbollah's so-called defense of Palestinian freedom does not extend to advocating for their welfare within Lebanon’s borders, revealing the hypocrisy of its rhetoric.

If we truly wish to see a free Palestine, it is essential to confront the uncomfortable truth: groups like Hezbollah, the IRGC, and their proxies are not liberators. They are part of the machinery that keeps Palestinians oppressed, using their suffering as a tool for their own regional power games. Their elimination is crucial for any real progress toward Palestinian freedom. True solidarity requires addressing not only external aggressors but also internal oppressors who exploit the Palestinian cause for their own political gain.

Activists and the international community must demand more. The fight for Palestine cannot be complete until the Palestinians are freed from all forms of oppression—whether by Israel or by forces within the region like Hezbollah and its backers.

Michael Arizanti
Middle East Expert & Levant News Columnist

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.