Such support does not make it okay that Hezbollah kidnapped two Israeli soldiers. It was a monumental miscalculation. The Israeli response, however, has made it hard for any Lebanese to criticize Hezbollah.
A few days ago, I was walking in downtown Beirut when a motorcycle passed by, beeping, waving the now familiar yellow and green Hezbollah flag. A month ago, you never saw a Hezbollah flag in this part of town, which once boasted serious nightlife with scantily clad women and alcohol.
Now support is emerging throughout the city: flags around town, posters of Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah in grocery windows, a photo of Nasrallah around the necks of Lebanese youth, graffiti everywhere.
I approached a group of students gathering to protest the Israeli strikes and asked if anyone spoke English. "No," one boy said, shaking his head. As I walked away he continued in Arabic: "We are with Hezbollah."
Occupying south Lebanon or aiming to destroy Lebanon's entire infrastructure will not protect Israel. If anything, it will only turn children and their parents against Israel even more.
A few days ago, I was walking in downtown Beirut when a motorcycle passed by, beeping, waving the now familiar yellow and green Hezbollah flag. A month ago, you never saw a Hezbollah flag in this part of town, which once boasted serious nightlife with scantily clad women and alcohol.
Now support is emerging throughout the city: flags around town, posters of Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah in grocery windows, a photo of Nasrallah around the necks of Lebanese youth, graffiti everywhere.
I approached a group of students gathering to protest the Israeli strikes and asked if anyone spoke English. "No," one boy said, shaking his head. As I walked away he continued in Arabic: "We are with Hezbollah."
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