The Effects of the Islamic Revolution of Iran on the Lebanese Hamas and Hezballah
In the present article I would investigate the reasons for the formation of the Islamic Revolution of Iran and then refer to the disorder to happens to the exploitation equations of the area which have been serious threats to the benefits and existence of the colonizing powers and the Commanding rooms of Zionism; of the positive effects of the Islamic Revolution of Iran one can refer to the awakening of the world Muslims as well as liberalizing movements. Whenever the Islamic Revolution of Iran is a matter of speech out of the borders, the world mind would soon focus on Lebanon and Palestine and in their centers the Hezb Allah Movement and Islamic Jihad as well as Hamas. The Lebanese Shiites have formed organizations and the successes of Hamas in the Palestinian areas and their vital role in changes in the power balances against Israel have been some of the results of the influences of the occurrence of Islamic Revolution of Iran; “In what ways and in what dimensions Hezb Allah Movement, Islamic Jihad as well as Hamas have been influenced by the Islamic Revolution of Iran?”?
Abstract:
In the present article I would investigate the reasons for the formation of the Islamic Revolution of Iran and then refer to the disorder to happens to the exploitation equations of the area which have been serious threats to the benefits and existence of the colonizing powers and the Commanding rooms of Zionism; of the positive effects of the Islamic Revolution of Iran one can refer to the awakening of the world Muslims as well as liberalizing movements. Whenever the Islamic Revolution of Iran is a matter of speech out of the borders, the world mind would soon focus on Lebanon and Palestine and in their centers the Hezb Allah Movement and Islamic Jihad as well as Hamas. The Lebanese Shiites have formed organizations and the successes of Hamas in the Palestinian areas and their vital role in changes in the power balances against Israel have been some of the results of the influences of the occurrence of Islamic Revolution of Iran; “In what ways and in what dimensions Hezb Allah Movement, Islamic Jihad as well as Hamas have been influenced by the Islamic Revolution of Iran?”?
Introduction:
The glorious Islamic Revolution of Iran took place in the highest time of Cold War and the dominance of communist and liberal thinking; with regard to the religious and Islamic nature of it the eastern and western countries started to oppose the Islamic Revolution of Iran. Islamic Revolution imbalanced the power balance of colonial powers of the area and thereby it made serious threats against the benefits and existence of the exploitation centers and the commanding rooms of the Zionism; of the positive effects of the Islamic Revolution of Iran one can refer to the awakening of the world Muslims as well as liberalizing movements. Whenever the Islamic Revolution of Iran is a matter of speech out of the borders, the world mind would soon focus on Lebanon and Palestine and in their centers the Hezb Allah Movement and Islamic Jihad as well as Hamas.
The Foreign Policy of the Islamic Revolution of Iran
The Constitutional Law of the Islamic Revolution of Iran which determines the theoretical and behavioral basis and foundation of its foreign policy has in many cases indicated that it is the duty of the Islamic Revolution of Iran to defend and support the poor people as well as the Muslims of the world. Article 19th says: “The government of the Islamic Revolution of Iran is required to base its general policy on unity and in accordance with the other Islamic countries; it is required to try to achieve political and social as well as cultural unity of the Islamic World.”? The article 152 says: “The foreign policy of the Islamic Revolution of Iran is based on the negation of any domination and being dominated . . . . . . . and on defending the rights of all Muslims.”? In addition in the article 154 of the constitutional law it is clearly stated that “The Islamic Revolution of Iran will do its best to evade any kind of interference in the internal affair of the other nations but it will support the right of the Palestinian fighters against the imperious anywhere in the world.”? (1368 : 28).
This point of view resulted from the Ideological Perspective of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, shows that the Islamic Revolution of Iran considers supporting the world poor and Muslims as its duty and as an ideal goal. In the way of this goal it prefers ideological benefits over the material values and in many cases the foreign policy of Iran behaved on the basis of ideological points of view and religious duty as well as Islamic values. Therefore supporting the Palestinian Muslims, considering Israel as an illegal government and opposing the unjust and unfair peace talks as well as supporting the Palestinian intifada are some of its exemplifications. . . . . . ( Soleimani , 1379 , 204 . ) .
Islamic Jihad organization of Palestine:
One of the most important elements in the formation of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement in the year 1980 was the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran. Palestinian Islamic Jihad Organization, at first and before formation, was a branch of the Ikhvan Al – Moslemin (Muslim Brotherhood) of Egypt which was responsible for the social and cultural activities in Gaza. Since fighting with the Zionists very seriously was not on the Ikhvan Al – Moslemin (Muslim Brotherhood) of Egypt, the revolutionary young men who were seeking to take part in armed war with the Zionist regime joined different Palestinian armed groups such as Fath. But these groups had socialist or nationalist inclinations / orientations; and Islamic orientations were seen less in them. Therefore the Muslim revolutionary young men who were members of the Ikhvan Al – Moslemin (Muslim Brotherhood) of Egypt were disappointed and bewildered. The defeat of the nationalist as well as socialist Palestinian groups in fighting with Israel was an important factor in the bewilderment and disappointment of the young men.
The victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran revitalized this hope in their hearts that they can restart another chapter in fighting with the Zionist regime by making use of Islam as well as its heartening instructions and by strong Islamic faith and motivation. The victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran was the starting point for the establishment of an emotional as well as spiritual relationship between Islamic Revolution and this group; then this relationship was developed and extended in a way that the Islamic Revolution of Iran had a very strong influence on this organization from the very beginning and deepened the relationship between them further and made it a strategic relationship. (Salemi Ghamsari , 1381 ) .
Islamic Movement of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance (Hamas)
The Hamas movement which was first of all founded on the basis of socio – cultural activities, after some years, considers military activities necessary in order to achieve their goals; although Hamas is not that close to the Islamic Republic of Iran as Hezb Allah of Lebanon and Islamic Jihad of Palestine are. But the positions that Hamas takes with regard to the Zionist regime, Palestinian issue, the importance and its great position in the Islamic world as well as the goals and advantages of this group in the peace process are close to those of the Islamic Revolution of Iran in the mentioned issues. On the other hand Hamas is also benefited by the political and spiritual supports as well as the propagation of Iran as Hezb Allah and Islamic Jihad are. Therefore Islamic Revolution of Iran could have been effective and influential enough on the area balances through Hamas.
Like Iran, Hamas also believes that the Zionist regime is a trespassing; illegal, racist transgressor as well as un – negotiable regime and any policy or action that might stabilize or secure this regime should be hindered. Therefore they rejected the settlement and the acceptance of the peace negotiations in which the Islamic World and the Arabs are the real losers and the America is the winner; it was able to create hindrance in the peace process by social, political and military as well as advertising activities. By making use of the potential forces as well as active forces and the strong influence on the people it has been able to extensive, wide and strong organization in and out of the occupied Palestinian areas; it was able to play a significant role against the transgressions of the Zionists and in defending the rights of the Palestinian poor people.
The Process of the Formation of Hezb Allah Movement
The seeds the Hezb Allah Movement were invested with the return of the religious clerics from Najaf to Lebanon in the 1960s. The first movement of these clergymen was creating change in the point of view of the Lebanese people to Islam and a new understanding of it. With the passing of time, three persons of these religious clergies were highly appreciated by the common people. Imam Mosa Sadr was one of these religious clergymen who had an interesting personality and could in 1967 establish the Great Islamic Parliament of the Shiites as an official religious institute. This institute was administering the Shiites affairs. The other act of Imam Mosa Sadr was the creation of “The Poor Movement”? in order to uproot poverty in the south of Lebanon. He also found the Resisting Groups of Lebanon or “A. M. L.”? as the military branch of the movement to stand against the transgress movements of Israel; their activities became apparent in 1974. Imam Mosa Sadr was kidnapped in 1978.
The other famous cleric was Sheikh Mohammad Mehdi Shams Al – Din who was the chairman of the “Cultural Charity Group”?; he was most of the time busy cultural guidance and intellectual thinking. Ayat Allah Saied Mohamamd Hossein Fazl Allah established another institution called “Family Brotherhood Group”?; cultural propagation as well as advertisements was the real causes of motivation. The cultural sources of the Islamists of Lebanon (A. M. L. Movement, Islamic Committees, Hezb Al – Vda and independent People) were all influenced by these three religious clergy men ( Sheikh Naeim Ghasim , 1383 : 24 – 7 . ) .
In these conditions, the Islamic Republic of Iran under the leadership of Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.) in 1979 (1357 Hegira) was fulfilled and some committees that were supporting Islamic Revolution in Lebanon were established. The Lebanese Islamists with regard to the new conditions in Lebanon and making use of the experience of the Islamic Revolution of Iran came to this conclusion that the existing frameworks do not lead to the intended goals and aims.
In these conditions, the attack of Israel on Lebanon started and since there was no Islamic party organization to stand against the Israeli transgression, the establishment of the Islamic organizations was set as a major goal to put the following three goals at the center of its attention:
1. The establishment of the Organizations based on Islam as a complete general and appropriate method for a better life; they intended it to be the basis of their intellectual, religious, faith and practical approaches.
2. Standing against the Israeli occupants (as a threat at present and at future that endangers Lebanon and the area and it should be placed as a priority in encountering. Therefore, the creation of the Jihad, fighting and war structures as well as making use of all the necessary facilities to perform their duty and mission.
3. Religious leadership of Vali – Fagigh (the greatest cleric) as a substitute for Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) to set the lines of activities for the nations; his dos and do nots should be authoritative.
For the fulfillment of these goals 9 people of the major Islamic groups prepared the general policies for the Islamic activities in Lebanon therefore a new unit was created under the heading of Hezb Allah.
Having these interpretations in mind a question that might come to one’s mind is that How Hezb Allah has been affected and influenced by the system of value and ideology of Islamic Revolution and what were the effects this revolution on Hezb Allah’s inclination towards fighting and resistance.
The victory of Islamic Revolution of Iran under the leadership of Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.) in 1979 caused an earthquake in the area; it had many influences on the available conventions as well as the influence of colonizers and their advantages in the area.
From the very beginning days of the victory of the Islamic Revolution the embassy of Israel was closed in Tehran and instead of the embassy of Palestine has been replaced. The students following the teachings of Imam Khomeini occupied the embassy of America and then divulged their spying plans and their programs. Iran opened its doors over the organizations, parties, countries and different forces of the world to cooperate on the basis of the policies of the newly established Islamic government. It held many conferences on the Islamic unity, Palestinian issue as well as . . . . . . . The clergymen and the other Islamic groups in Lebanon, considered this government as the basis for their hopes and a support for themselves.
Hezb Allah also considered the fulfillment of its goals and ideals possible through the help and confirmation of the Islamic Revolution of Iran. The helps that were offered to Lebanon to help the resistance group of this country and to tale part in fulfilling the available social needs are some example of this support.
The relationship between Hezb Allah and Iran has formed since the time that this Hezb tried to use the new experience of Iran in its own area; thereby they have found a new supporter to fight with and stand against the occupants. This relationship grew rapidly and with certainty; and its positive and good aspects were clarified from the very beginning of it; I hereby refer to some of them:
1. The theory behind the movement of Hezb Allah in Lebanon and the Islamic Revolution of Iran are based on the idea of Vilayat Faghieh and that Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.) is a supreme leader that has appeared in this century. This perspective is has been accepted as a religious leadership of the wolrd at the present century.
Political togetherness as well as unity resulted from the achievement of the Iran in standing against oppressors and from insistence on independence as well as supporting the liberty seeking movements especially in resisting against the oppression of the Zionist regime is the same view point that Hezb Allah believes in them in the plan to fight with the oppressors and its requirements such as rejecting the oppressive plans of the world powers.
With these perspectives Iran is regarded as live symbol of the performance of Islam and any Muslim who believes in Islam is following up this experience and thinks aboit it. On the other hand Hezb Allah has also presented outstanding experiences in the arena of resistance that have been highly appreciated by the government and the nation of Iran and these are some of the hopes and requirements that the poor nations have in encountering with the great and persuasive challenges. It is clear that in these conditions, in addition to having the same points of views, there are some common goals in the relationship between two countries or a country and a party in which each of them tries hard to achieve its goals in the framework of the of this relationship. So far as these relationships are based on independence and taking one’s responsibility in action on the part of the parties involved there would never be any problems.
The Direct Attendance of Iran in Lebanon:
After the military attacks of Israel in June 1982 (Khordad , 1361) and the defeat of all the peace – seeking plans in dealing with Israel or in cooperating with the United States of America, the principle that was approved by the Islamic Revolution of Iran i. e. resistance and standing against cruelty was highly appreciated. As a result the way was paved for the small Islamist Shiites groups to be combined and form a unified organization called Hezb Allah of Lebanon. This new Islamist group has shown the best capabilities to accept the values of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Hezb Allah has with itself the ideology of depending on itself to oppress and devastate enemy which was first of all performed by the Islamic Republic of Iran. Moreover, the special environment of Lebanon and the existence of different powers has made the Islamic Republic of Iran support the poor Muslims effectively especially in fighting arenas of Lebanon and in this regard it was very effective on fighting with the Zionist regime.
The Islamic Republic of Iran with its presence in Lebanon in 1982 believed that this presence is the first touching point for the presence of the Islamic Republic of Iran and a great Shiites clan in the Arab world. Lebanon is regarded as the second greatest Shiites Clan among the Arab countries.
With its presence in Lebanon, Iran was able to extend the small and limited political borders of the war with Iraq; it was able to affect a larger group of the Arab people and thereby it was able to step forward with more confidence. The leaders and the members of Hezb Allah believe in the influence of the Islamic Revolution on the political scenes of Lebanon and especially on the Shiites of the country; they remember it with honor and with pride.
Saied Abraham Al – Amin, the spokesperson of Hezb Allah in the 80s, says: “The transmission of the Islamic Republic of Iran does not mean the domination of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the other countries of the Middle East; rather it is the revitalization of the Islamic life in the area in order for Islam to be what dominates these countries.”?
The ways that Hezb Allah was affected by the Islamic Republic of Iran
1. Shiites Symbolism:
From a historical point of view, Lebanon is one of the prime origins of Shiites; its history goes back to the beginning of Islam; that is when Moavieh as the governor of Sham sent Abazar Ghaffari, a disciple of Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon Him) to this area. In the Safavid era, Jebel Amel, from Lebanon, was one of the great Shiite clerics who was teaching the Shiite religious creeds in Iran. He was also one of the supporters of the Shiites government of the Safavid.
In the contemporary history as well, the Shiite areas of Lebanon have been a teaching center for educating the religious as well as revolutionary men of Iran such as Imam Mosa Sadr and Shahid Dr. Chamran.
Making use of the Shiites Symbols to transfer the revolutionary messages has been one of the other influences of the Islamic Republic of Iran on this party. Although there are cultural and language differences between the two countries of Lebanon and the Islamic Republic of Iran but making use of some symbols such as “Ashura”? , “The Martyrdom of Imam Hossein (A. S.)”? , the wars of the Prophet Mohammad (S. A.) as well as those of Imam Ali (A. S.) and . . . . . . . made Hezb Allah more capable and powerful in transferring the messages of Jihad , martyrdom , resistance as well as tolerance of the problems and difficulties and . . . . . . . . .
Symbolism and making use of the Shiites’ symbols by Hezb Allah were the causes for some people to join Hezb Allah and to refrain from being a Lebanese or a being a member of a poor dynasty that was deteriorated due to the civil war. In this way, a young Shiite man living in the southern suburbs of Beirut became a revolutionary Muslim and a member of the Religious Political society in the five continents through joining to Hezb Allah; he was regarded as a soldier under the commandment of Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.). The result of the relationship of Lebanese Hezb Allah and the Islamic Republic of Iran is a matter in the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran which is stable in its general principles and there has been no change in that relationship although there were different presidents in power.
In this position, there is no way that the most basic reason for the extensive attack of the Zionist regime in 1982 on Lebanon was because of the Lebanese Hezb Allah Movement; in a way that all the interpreters of the Middle East confess to this fact. But behind this issue, some issues and subject matters such as the Lebanese educated clergymen in Najaf who were influenced by the ideas and thought of Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.), as the leader of a revolutionary movement as well as the leader of the Lebanese changes, especially lack of political stability in Lebanon, due to the civil war, incapability of the intellectuals in managing the crisis as well as the progressive social class differences are some of the reasons for coming in to being of the Lebanese Hezb Allah.
After official establishment, Hezb Allah, to continue its activities, had to ameliorate its positions, accept its extension and abide by the laws of the play of democracy as new principles to foresee a great future for Lebanon. This shows that the Islamist groups act according to the ideological values; in addition they are affected by the conditions and circumstances of its society.
2. Vilayat Faghieh and the Leadership of Imam Khomeini
The most basic characteristic of Hezb Allah in comparison to the other Islamist groups of the Arab world is their complete accepting of the idea of Vilayat Faghieh and the leadership of Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.). This feature has been dominating all the organizational characteristics as well as perspectives of Hezb Allah and in fact it is one of the two basic reasons of combining small Islamist groups in Lebanon (in 1982) and in the formation of Hezb Allah. Saied Hassan Nasr Allah, regarding of Hezb Allah’s imitation of the leadership of Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.) says: “From our point of view, Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.) is a religious source, Imam and leader to the best of the world; he is as all the great religious leaders in the world; but he is more than this for us, he is the sign of Revolution against the oppressors, cruel and oppressive governments as well as . . . . . . In this way, Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.) is more than a religious symbol; this spiritual and intrinsic relationship was extant between Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.) and us even before the attack of Israel on Lebanon in 1982.
In this way, Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.) became the only legal authoritative power in the Hezb Allah of Lebanon; they used to accept his world and to act according to them.
3. The Pivotal Role of the Clergymen in the Political deeds:
The roles that the clergymen have in different positions of the Hezb Allah of Lebanon have not yet been seen in any of the parties as well as organizations. Since the beginning of the formation of the Hezb Allah of Lebanon until today, the majority of the council of the the Hezb Allah of Lebanon was the clergymen. The general secretariat as well as the vice – chancellor of the general secretariat of the Hezb Allah of Lebanon has always been chosen from among the clergy men. Most of these clergy men are the Shiite clergymen who have studied in the Religious Studies Center of Najaf. They have been influenced by the Iranian clergymen; their relationships were based on intimacy and in this way they have formed the two basic ideological and structural foundation of the Hezb Allah of Lebanon.
Most of those clergymen who were studying in Najaf were the students of Ayat Allah Shahid Mohammad Bagher Sadr and they have become familiar with the political ideas of Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.). These young students of religion who had gone to religious studies center in Najaf to study for higher degrees were ousted from Iraq by the Iraqi authorities for they feared these young men would be influenced by the Iraqi Shiites as well as by the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran; therefore they had to go back to their countries and take with them what they have learnt; they had of course learned a lot of things about political and revolutionary Islam; After the formation of the first session of the leadership council of the Hezb Allah of Lebanon in 1961, the members of this council came to the Iran and visited Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.) and in this way, they settled an official and organizational relationship based on imitating the decrees of Vilayat Faghieh. . . . . . . . .
4. The Political Literature and the Advertising Methods:
The political literature of the Hezb Allah of Lebanon indicates the influence of the Islamic revolution f Iran on this Hezb. The terms and phrases that are seen in the works and manifestos of the Hezb Allah of Lebanon or the great figures of this Hezb in the 80s have been taken from those terms and phrases that have propagated the Islamic Revolution of Iran. In addition the methods and means of advertisement that have been used to propagate the Hezb Allah of Lebanon are similar to those means that have been used in Iran.
The culture of the slogans of the Hezb Allah of Lebanon has been taken from the book of the Islamic Revolution of Iran. Choosing the title of “Hezb Allah”? has also been taken from the Ayahs of 22 and 56 of Maede Surah (AL-MAEDA (THE TABLE)).
“They said: o musa! Surely there is a strong race in it, and we will on no account enter it until they go out from it, so if they go out from it, then surely we will enter”?. (22)
“And whoever takes Allah and his messenger and those who believe for a guardian, then surely the party of Allah are they that shall be triumphant”?. (56)
In the discourse of Hezb Allah, issues such as Muslims and the weak nations of the world, under the heading of the Poor, America and the U. S. S. R. as the world colonizers, Israel as the cancer tumor, the subject matter of Islamic Unity to fight with the enemies of God and Islam, liberty of Qods and that the path of Qods is passing through Karbala have been all taken from the culture of the Islamic Revolution and as well as from the speeches of Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.).
Even in the 90s and 80s as well as the beginning of the third millennium, the Hezb Allah of Lebanon has been acting seriously under the influence of the Islamic Revolution and it does now as well. Its examples can be seen as holding the ceremonies the Ashura day and the demonstration of the Qods date which has now become a world date, the funeral of the martyrs, demonstrations and speeches as well as making use of videos on the part of this party are similar to the periods of the Islamic revolution of Iran when they were making use of tapes to impart the messages.
The Positions that Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.) took against Israel and Palestine:
Before the victory of the Islamic revolution, Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.), the founder of the Islamic revolution, had introduced the Zionists, the political Jews as well as the agents and representatives of the colonizers as criminals and oppressors. He used to think that it was necessary to continue fighting with this oppressing regime until the Islamic territories are freed and the Holy Qods and Masjid Al – Aqsa are liberated from the claws of the Zionists and after the victory of the Islamic revolution of Iran this regime was called “the cancer tumor of the areas”?. The last day of the holy month of Ramadan has been announced as the “date of Qods”? to make fighting with the Zionists a common issue and to make the Palestinian and Qods issue an everlasting issue; then Palestine was called “a determining part of the Islam”?.
In one of his positions he has said: “I am hereby announcing again the threat of Israel as a cancer and lousy tumor that is about to grow in the body of the Islamic countries of the area. . . . . . . .The heads of those countries who are seeking to comply with Israel should not think that the nature and the inner part of Israel will change by the passing of time and that the blood thirsty dogs of Zionist withdrew from the damned thought of extending their territories from Nile to Furat.
With the formation of the resisting cores of the Hezb Allah all over the world, Israel would be ashamed and repentant of its criminal past and the occupied lands will be taken out of the claws of the Zionists.
Basically, this is the duty of all the Muslims to free Qods and get rid of this corrupted body and dirt being from the Muslim countries.
The Influence of the Hezb Allah of Lebanon on the Islamic Movements of Palestine:
The Hezb Allah of Lebanon is not merely a national and usual party in a small Middle East country; because this party, although it has defined itself within the national frameworks and it has become very active in this arena; but at the same time it has extra – national characteristics and it has found a very noticeable performance in the area. This characteristic in fact is one of the characteristics of the Islamic Revolution in Iran that the Hezb Allah of Lebanon makes use of them to base its thoughts and behavior through religious collusion with it; they have internalized most of the characteristics of the Islamic revolution of Iran and thereby offered the Arab countries of the territory notable Arabic example. Therefore it can be said that Hezb Allah is the trustee of the Islamic Revolution of Iran in the Arabic countries and it has acted so far on the basis of its principles. One of the most important areas of influence of the Hezb Allah of Lebanon in the Middle East is the Palestinian society that has had a lot in common with the Hezb Allah of Lebanon; for example standing against Zionist Occupants as well as the need for having a successful paradigm have been some of the Palestinian needs in which the Hezb Allah of Lebanon has been successful; it was successful to adapt itself to its political environment.
The similarities and the effects of hezb Allah on the Palestinian Islamic Movements especially on the top two ones: Hmas and Islamic Jihad are:
1. The Hezb Allah of Lebanon came into being when Lebanon was politically defeated and half of the country was occupied by the Zionists of Israel. The Zionist regime occupied southern part of Lebanon in three days and almost without any resistance on the part of the Lebanon. Soon it settled around Beirut, the capital city of Lebanon (Asad Allahi , Bi Ta 153).
In that condition, all the Islamic countries except for Syria did not make any political move or in fact they did not do anything to stand against this transgression. During the occupation of Lebanon, the government of Beirut changed and Mr. Amin Jamil came to power in 1982 i .e. he became president. Amin Jamil was the son of Pir Jamil the founder of the Lebanese Phalange Party and he was one of the commanders of its military branches that was involved in the civil war of Lebanon and was in coalition with the Zionists in their attacks on Lebanon. Jamil government signed a peace treaty with the Zionist regime in May, 17th , 1983 . In this peace – treaty the Israeli government was officially acknowledged and as a result of which the military presence of the Israeli troops in the southern part of Lebanon from the Olla River to the international border was considered legal.
In these conditions in which the internal part of the country was inactive and passive due to its defeat, the Hezb Allah of Lebanon as a new political and general movement which was advocated its efforts to gratify the disagreement of the people was born and it started to move against the government of Lebanon in its approach to the issues of the area.
The Islamic movements of Palestine especially Hamas and Islamic Jihad have announced their existence in the same conditions. Since the years 1965 to 1982, The Liberalizing Organization of Palestine was the most important political player in Palestine that was leading the armed fighting out of Palestine from Jordan and then Lebanon. In the year 1970 and after the armed fights with the Jordanian army in the Black September events this organization has been ousted from this country and transferred to Lebanon.
The Liberalizing Organization of Palestine (S. A. F.) continued fighting with the Zionist regime in the southern borders. In the Zionist regime attack on The Liberalizing Organization of Palestine were defeated very badly and it drew back to Beirut without much resistance and after 42 days of blockade it accepted the peace – talks of the United States of America and they negotiated with Philip Habib the American convoy and finally they have accepted complete evacuation from Lebanon and they have accepted to settle down in Tunisia (Abu – Amro , Bi Ta).
The military defeat of The Liberalizing Organization of Palestine and its going out of Lebanon decreased the amount of its influence on the Palestine to a great extent and practically it evacuated the critical scenes of Palestine of the Arab players. The Liberalizing Organization of Palestine, after ousting from Lebanon chose political fight with the Zionist regime instead of military fights and “Yaser Arafat”? the leader of this movement in the 19th Aggregation of the National Council of Palestine in the year 1988 in Algeria has announced his complete readiness to change the covenant of this organization.
In these conditions, “Muslims Brothers Association”? ( Ikhvan Al – Moslemin ) that was the only available Islamic movement in that country that was because of the being influenced by a kind of source thinking and behavior in Egypt; it was still active with a cultural – religious approach. It rejected serious political fight as well as armed fights. In the beginning of the 80s The Liberalizing Organization of Palestine announced its existence in the Gaza strip based on the culture of the Islamic Revolution of Iran as well as the experience of the Hezb Allah of Lebanon. The Islamic Palestinian Movement (Hamas) came in to being not in so much different condition in the 80s. These two Islamc movement came in to being through the “Muslims Brothers Association”? ( Ikhvan Al – Moslemin ). But the culture of revolution and fighting has been adopted from the experience of the Islamic Republic of Iran directly as well as from the experience of Hezb Allah.
In choosing their approach, these two movements decided to reject the experience as well as the results of the activities of The Liberalizing Organization of Palestine and they decided to move their own way and not that of The Liberalizing Organization of Palestine. These two Islamic movements decided to move the crisis of Palestine from outside of the country to the inner side of the country. And with the start of the first Intifada in 1987 in the occupied areas of the west bank and the Gaza strip. They have created a new paradigm in the process of Palestinian fighting that is different from the leftist point of view of The Liberalizing Organization of Palestine which is an imported methodology based on the armed war. This approach which is regarded as a basic change in fighting with the Zionist regime was completed in the year 2000 with the beginning of the second intifada; it added the martyrdom seeking operations to the overwhelming and general political fights.
The Palestinian people who were more than half a century in war with the Zionism and have tolerated the cruelties and mercilessness of this regime has had hopes in the support of some Arabs or some guerilla groups. The Palestinian nation was for some times dependant on Jamal Abd- Al Nasir (the previous president of Egypt) and Pan Arabism, but the man who came to power after Jamal Abd- Al Nasir changed his orientationand by his travel to Beit Al – Moghadas and visiting the Israeli government’s heads strike the Palestinians with the worst stroke. And finally in 1358 Hegira (1980) takes itself out of the supporters of the Palestinian movement in the Camp David palace. He shook the hands of the Israelis in friendship and coalition. At the decree of Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.) to react against this treason the relationship between Iran and Egypt was cut immidiately. After Egypt there were also some more countries who joined it in compliance with the Zionist regime and they signed agreements with these regime. But with the victory of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the downfall of the Shah’s regime a new supporter was out there for the Palestinians and after this historical event, the political balances of the area especially in the occupied Palestine were imbalanced.
From the point if view of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the issue of Palestine is not an Arab issue rather it is an issue of the world of Islam. The specification of the Qods date by Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.), the last Friday in the holy month f Rmadan, was to remember that the Zionist regime does not understand any way except force and it is necessary to stand against force with force. The Palestinian people have to start to fight themselves and they have to get their rights themselves.
With the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, a new Islamic uprising started in Gaza strip and the west bank of the Jordan River. The Islamic Revolution of Iran was the final motivation and will. Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.) gave a new meaning to the life of the Iranians; in addition he revitalized the hope among millions of poor and Muslim people and the Palestinian Muslims felt that they are able to eradicate and uproot Israel (Fathi Sheghaghi , Bi Ta , : 87 – 88 ) .
Immediately after the victory of the Islamic Republic of Iran the first Center for the Islamic Jihad of Palestine was established in Gaza Strip. In this way after the 50s and 60s as well as 70s in which Islam was out of the Palestinian scene, it was Palestine again which was at the center of the world of Islam and it began to fight with the Zionist regime. Thereafter the principles of Jihad, martyrdom and generosity for the sake of their goals were the Shiites’ symbols as well as those of the Islamic Revolution of Iran. These were dealt with as the basic principles of Islamic Jihad of Palestine (Kadivar , Bi Ta , : 96) . . . . . .
Ahmad Sedigh one of the spokesmen of the Islamic Jihad has written in an article that: “The victory of the Islamic beliefs in Iran is their fighting with Israel”?. Sheikh Ahmad Tamimi one of the Palestinian leaders also says: “Until the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran Islam was absent from the fighting scenes; it was the Islamic Revolution of Iran that transported to the Palestinian area this reality that Islam is the real and the most basic solution and Jihad is the best means.”?
It was here that the Islamic Jihad of Palestine announced that: “The Palestinian issue is an Islamic issue and it is not just a national issue that might be just related to the Palestinians; it is neither an Arabic issue that might be related to the Arabs. Palestinian issue is an issue that is related to all the Islamic World”?.
In this way the supporters of the ideas of Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.) became the most favorite group for the settlers of the Gaza strip and the west bank. In fact the general operation of the Islamic Jihad forces of Palestine in encouraging the Palestinians to fight indicates the spiritual and political growth as well as influence in the Palestinian society. In Sheikh Abd Allah Shami point of view that was an outstanding Palestinian figure “the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran has had a great influence on the revolution and people of Palestine. After that, the Palestinian people understood that they need Qur’an and gun. This was first fulfilled in the Islamic Jihad movement that was first of all invested the seed of such thinking in Palestine.”?
The most basic and the real reason for the disagreement as well as enmity and negative propagation of the United States of America and the Zionist regime against the Islamic Revolution of Iran also refer to the issue of Intifada and the general revolt of the Muslim people against the occupants. The compilation and the continuation of Intifada has been strongly under the influence of the Islamic Revolution of Muslim people of Iran. The revolution that people fulfilled against Shah and the dominance of America; it was, according to the western interpreters an earthquake that has shakes the Middle East very severely.
The revolutionary movement forerunners in Palestine and the intifada activists have been Muslims who had seen the defeat of the socialist movements and nationalist movements in fighting against the Zionists. They have formed organizations with Islamic orientations in order to stand against the Zionist regime; Hamas and Islamic Jihad are two examples. These Islamic groups have started movements and actions against the Zionist regime the most important of which was armed fights and performance of martyrdom seeking operations against this regime. Equally they have been busy doing cultural activities and attracting and organizing the Muslim and enthusiastic youths. These activities in the end led to the movement and revolt of the Muslim people of Palestine in 1987 which is known as Intifada. The investigation of this revolt and Intifada of Masjid Al – Aqsa that was started in 1379 (2001), shows that the process peace has been affected by it to a great extent.
Fathi Sheghaghi, the secretariat general of the Islamic Jihad Organization, believes, about the effects of the Islamic Revolution of Iran on the beginning of Intifada as well as its continuation, that: “The occupied Palestine like the other Islamic Arab countries has been under the influence of Islamic revolt under the commandment id Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.); his influence is best felt in Palestine compared to the other places. With the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran we came to ourselves and understood that Israel and the United States of America can be defeated, too.
If we have a glance over the events that have so far taken place in the Middle East especially on the general thinking of the Islamic world and Lebanon as well as occupied Palestine we will understand that the Islamic Revolution could find a place among the Muslims as well as the liberty seeking movements as a paradigm and a method for fighting. The Islamic Revolution of Iran has had a great role in the awakening of the Muslims as well as the Islamic liberalizing movements. What nowadays has worried the United States of America and the Zionist regime is the spiritual and political influence of the Islamic Revolution of Iran among the Muslims of the World and the liberalizing Islamic movements; therefore a great part of the spite, enmity and virulence of the United States of America and the Zionist regime for the Islamic Revolution of Iran refers to the role and effect of this great 20th century historical phenomenon in the Islamic World; they have such point of standing because of the growth and power of the anti – colonization movements and anti – occupant movements in the Middle East since the day after the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran until today.
Sources:
1. The constitutional laws of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, The Ministry of Islamic Guidance , August 1990 ( Shahrivar 1368 ) . . . . . . .
2. Mohammad Bagher Soleimani , The Players of the Middle East peace talks , Tehran : The Office for International and Political Studies . 1379 ( 2000 ) . . . . . . .
3. Martyrdom Seeking Operation. Why and How? Authors : Hassan Bagheri , Morteza Salemi Ghamsari , Ava Art and cultural institute , 1381 ( 2001 ) . . . . . . .
4. Sheikh Neim Ghasem. The Hezb Allah of Lebanon , Its future and Past pathways , Trans. By : Mohammad Medi Shariat Madar, First Edition , Tehran , Etellaat 1383 . . . . . . . .
5. Asad Allahi , Masoud . From Resistance to Victory , The Research Institute of Noor 1379 ( 2000 ) . . . . . . . .
6. Abu – Omro , Ziad , The Islamic Movements in the West bank and in Gaza Strip . Trans. By : Hassan Khameh Yar , The Office of Islamic Publishing and Printing Co. . . . . . . .
7. Fathi , Sheghaghi . Intifada and the contemporary plan of the International Al – Mahdi Pub. Co. . . . . . . . .
8. Kadivar , Jamile . The Confrontation of the Islamic Revolution of Irtan and the United States of America , Tehran . The Effect of the Revolution Pub. Co. . . . . . .
Writer: Sayed Morteza Hosseini
In the present article I would investigate the reasons for the formation of the Islamic Revolution of Iran and then refer to the disorder to happens to the exploitation equations of the area which have been serious threats to the benefits and existence of the colonizing powers and the Commanding rooms of Zionism; of the positive effects of the Islamic Revolution of Iran one can refer to the awakening of the world Muslims as well as liberalizing movements. Whenever the Islamic Revolution of Iran is a matter of speech out of the borders, the world mind would soon focus on Lebanon and Palestine and in their centers the Hezb Allah Movement and Islamic Jihad as well as Hamas. The Lebanese Shiites have formed organizations and the successes of Hamas in the Palestinian areas and their vital role in changes in the power balances against Israel have been some of the results of the influences of the occurrence of Islamic Revolution of Iran; “In what ways and in what dimensions Hezb Allah Movement, Islamic Jihad as well as Hamas have been influenced by the Islamic Revolution of Iran?”?
Introduction:
The glorious Islamic Revolution of Iran took place in the highest time of Cold War and the dominance of communist and liberal thinking; with regard to the religious and Islamic nature of it the eastern and western countries started to oppose the Islamic Revolution of Iran. Islamic Revolution imbalanced the power balance of colonial powers of the area and thereby it made serious threats against the benefits and existence of the exploitation centers and the commanding rooms of the Zionism; of the positive effects of the Islamic Revolution of Iran one can refer to the awakening of the world Muslims as well as liberalizing movements. Whenever the Islamic Revolution of Iran is a matter of speech out of the borders, the world mind would soon focus on Lebanon and Palestine and in their centers the Hezb Allah Movement and Islamic Jihad as well as Hamas.
The Foreign Policy of the Islamic Revolution of Iran
The Constitutional Law of the Islamic Revolution of Iran which determines the theoretical and behavioral basis and foundation of its foreign policy has in many cases indicated that it is the duty of the Islamic Revolution of Iran to defend and support the poor people as well as the Muslims of the world. Article 19th says: “The government of the Islamic Revolution of Iran is required to base its general policy on unity and in accordance with the other Islamic countries; it is required to try to achieve political and social as well as cultural unity of the Islamic World.”? The article 152 says: “The foreign policy of the Islamic Revolution of Iran is based on the negation of any domination and being dominated . . . . . . . and on defending the rights of all Muslims.”? In addition in the article 154 of the constitutional law it is clearly stated that “The Islamic Revolution of Iran will do its best to evade any kind of interference in the internal affair of the other nations but it will support the right of the Palestinian fighters against the imperious anywhere in the world.”? (1368 : 28).
This point of view resulted from the Ideological Perspective of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, shows that the Islamic Revolution of Iran considers supporting the world poor and Muslims as its duty and as an ideal goal. In the way of this goal it prefers ideological benefits over the material values and in many cases the foreign policy of Iran behaved on the basis of ideological points of view and religious duty as well as Islamic values. Therefore supporting the Palestinian Muslims, considering Israel as an illegal government and opposing the unjust and unfair peace talks as well as supporting the Palestinian intifada are some of its exemplifications. . . . . . ( Soleimani , 1379 , 204 . ) .
Islamic Jihad organization of Palestine:
One of the most important elements in the formation of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement in the year 1980 was the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran. Palestinian Islamic Jihad Organization, at first and before formation, was a branch of the Ikhvan Al – Moslemin (Muslim Brotherhood) of Egypt which was responsible for the social and cultural activities in Gaza. Since fighting with the Zionists very seriously was not on the Ikhvan Al – Moslemin (Muslim Brotherhood) of Egypt, the revolutionary young men who were seeking to take part in armed war with the Zionist regime joined different Palestinian armed groups such as Fath. But these groups had socialist or nationalist inclinations / orientations; and Islamic orientations were seen less in them. Therefore the Muslim revolutionary young men who were members of the Ikhvan Al – Moslemin (Muslim Brotherhood) of Egypt were disappointed and bewildered. The defeat of the nationalist as well as socialist Palestinian groups in fighting with Israel was an important factor in the bewilderment and disappointment of the young men.
The victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran revitalized this hope in their hearts that they can restart another chapter in fighting with the Zionist regime by making use of Islam as well as its heartening instructions and by strong Islamic faith and motivation. The victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran was the starting point for the establishment of an emotional as well as spiritual relationship between Islamic Revolution and this group; then this relationship was developed and extended in a way that the Islamic Revolution of Iran had a very strong influence on this organization from the very beginning and deepened the relationship between them further and made it a strategic relationship. (Salemi Ghamsari , 1381 ) .
Islamic Movement of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance (Hamas)
The Hamas movement which was first of all founded on the basis of socio – cultural activities, after some years, considers military activities necessary in order to achieve their goals; although Hamas is not that close to the Islamic Republic of Iran as Hezb Allah of Lebanon and Islamic Jihad of Palestine are. But the positions that Hamas takes with regard to the Zionist regime, Palestinian issue, the importance and its great position in the Islamic world as well as the goals and advantages of this group in the peace process are close to those of the Islamic Revolution of Iran in the mentioned issues. On the other hand Hamas is also benefited by the political and spiritual supports as well as the propagation of Iran as Hezb Allah and Islamic Jihad are. Therefore Islamic Revolution of Iran could have been effective and influential enough on the area balances through Hamas.
Like Iran, Hamas also believes that the Zionist regime is a trespassing; illegal, racist transgressor as well as un – negotiable regime and any policy or action that might stabilize or secure this regime should be hindered. Therefore they rejected the settlement and the acceptance of the peace negotiations in which the Islamic World and the Arabs are the real losers and the America is the winner; it was able to create hindrance in the peace process by social, political and military as well as advertising activities. By making use of the potential forces as well as active forces and the strong influence on the people it has been able to extensive, wide and strong organization in and out of the occupied Palestinian areas; it was able to play a significant role against the transgressions of the Zionists and in defending the rights of the Palestinian poor people.
The Process of the Formation of Hezb Allah Movement
The seeds the Hezb Allah Movement were invested with the return of the religious clerics from Najaf to Lebanon in the 1960s. The first movement of these clergymen was creating change in the point of view of the Lebanese people to Islam and a new understanding of it. With the passing of time, three persons of these religious clergies were highly appreciated by the common people. Imam Mosa Sadr was one of these religious clergymen who had an interesting personality and could in 1967 establish the Great Islamic Parliament of the Shiites as an official religious institute. This institute was administering the Shiites affairs. The other act of Imam Mosa Sadr was the creation of “The Poor Movement”? in order to uproot poverty in the south of Lebanon. He also found the Resisting Groups of Lebanon or “A. M. L.”? as the military branch of the movement to stand against the transgress movements of Israel; their activities became apparent in 1974. Imam Mosa Sadr was kidnapped in 1978.
The other famous cleric was Sheikh Mohammad Mehdi Shams Al – Din who was the chairman of the “Cultural Charity Group”?; he was most of the time busy cultural guidance and intellectual thinking. Ayat Allah Saied Mohamamd Hossein Fazl Allah established another institution called “Family Brotherhood Group”?; cultural propagation as well as advertisements was the real causes of motivation. The cultural sources of the Islamists of Lebanon (A. M. L. Movement, Islamic Committees, Hezb Al – Vda and independent People) were all influenced by these three religious clergy men ( Sheikh Naeim Ghasim , 1383 : 24 – 7 . ) .
In these conditions, the Islamic Republic of Iran under the leadership of Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.) in 1979 (1357 Hegira) was fulfilled and some committees that were supporting Islamic Revolution in Lebanon were established. The Lebanese Islamists with regard to the new conditions in Lebanon and making use of the experience of the Islamic Revolution of Iran came to this conclusion that the existing frameworks do not lead to the intended goals and aims.
In these conditions, the attack of Israel on Lebanon started and since there was no Islamic party organization to stand against the Israeli transgression, the establishment of the Islamic organizations was set as a major goal to put the following three goals at the center of its attention:
1. The establishment of the Organizations based on Islam as a complete general and appropriate method for a better life; they intended it to be the basis of their intellectual, religious, faith and practical approaches.
2. Standing against the Israeli occupants (as a threat at present and at future that endangers Lebanon and the area and it should be placed as a priority in encountering. Therefore, the creation of the Jihad, fighting and war structures as well as making use of all the necessary facilities to perform their duty and mission.
3. Religious leadership of Vali – Fagigh (the greatest cleric) as a substitute for Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) to set the lines of activities for the nations; his dos and do nots should be authoritative.
For the fulfillment of these goals 9 people of the major Islamic groups prepared the general policies for the Islamic activities in Lebanon therefore a new unit was created under the heading of Hezb Allah.
Having these interpretations in mind a question that might come to one’s mind is that How Hezb Allah has been affected and influenced by the system of value and ideology of Islamic Revolution and what were the effects this revolution on Hezb Allah’s inclination towards fighting and resistance.
The victory of Islamic Revolution of Iran under the leadership of Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.) in 1979 caused an earthquake in the area; it had many influences on the available conventions as well as the influence of colonizers and their advantages in the area.
From the very beginning days of the victory of the Islamic Revolution the embassy of Israel was closed in Tehran and instead of the embassy of Palestine has been replaced. The students following the teachings of Imam Khomeini occupied the embassy of America and then divulged their spying plans and their programs. Iran opened its doors over the organizations, parties, countries and different forces of the world to cooperate on the basis of the policies of the newly established Islamic government. It held many conferences on the Islamic unity, Palestinian issue as well as . . . . . . . The clergymen and the other Islamic groups in Lebanon, considered this government as the basis for their hopes and a support for themselves.
Hezb Allah also considered the fulfillment of its goals and ideals possible through the help and confirmation of the Islamic Revolution of Iran. The helps that were offered to Lebanon to help the resistance group of this country and to tale part in fulfilling the available social needs are some example of this support.
The relationship between Hezb Allah and Iran has formed since the time that this Hezb tried to use the new experience of Iran in its own area; thereby they have found a new supporter to fight with and stand against the occupants. This relationship grew rapidly and with certainty; and its positive and good aspects were clarified from the very beginning of it; I hereby refer to some of them:
1. The theory behind the movement of Hezb Allah in Lebanon and the Islamic Revolution of Iran are based on the idea of Vilayat Faghieh and that Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.) is a supreme leader that has appeared in this century. This perspective is has been accepted as a religious leadership of the wolrd at the present century.
Political togetherness as well as unity resulted from the achievement of the Iran in standing against oppressors and from insistence on independence as well as supporting the liberty seeking movements especially in resisting against the oppression of the Zionist regime is the same view point that Hezb Allah believes in them in the plan to fight with the oppressors and its requirements such as rejecting the oppressive plans of the world powers.
With these perspectives Iran is regarded as live symbol of the performance of Islam and any Muslim who believes in Islam is following up this experience and thinks aboit it. On the other hand Hezb Allah has also presented outstanding experiences in the arena of resistance that have been highly appreciated by the government and the nation of Iran and these are some of the hopes and requirements that the poor nations have in encountering with the great and persuasive challenges. It is clear that in these conditions, in addition to having the same points of views, there are some common goals in the relationship between two countries or a country and a party in which each of them tries hard to achieve its goals in the framework of the of this relationship. So far as these relationships are based on independence and taking one’s responsibility in action on the part of the parties involved there would never be any problems.
The Direct Attendance of Iran in Lebanon:
After the military attacks of Israel in June 1982 (Khordad , 1361) and the defeat of all the peace – seeking plans in dealing with Israel or in cooperating with the United States of America, the principle that was approved by the Islamic Revolution of Iran i. e. resistance and standing against cruelty was highly appreciated. As a result the way was paved for the small Islamist Shiites groups to be combined and form a unified organization called Hezb Allah of Lebanon. This new Islamist group has shown the best capabilities to accept the values of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Hezb Allah has with itself the ideology of depending on itself to oppress and devastate enemy which was first of all performed by the Islamic Republic of Iran. Moreover, the special environment of Lebanon and the existence of different powers has made the Islamic Republic of Iran support the poor Muslims effectively especially in fighting arenas of Lebanon and in this regard it was very effective on fighting with the Zionist regime.
The Islamic Republic of Iran with its presence in Lebanon in 1982 believed that this presence is the first touching point for the presence of the Islamic Republic of Iran and a great Shiites clan in the Arab world. Lebanon is regarded as the second greatest Shiites Clan among the Arab countries.
With its presence in Lebanon, Iran was able to extend the small and limited political borders of the war with Iraq; it was able to affect a larger group of the Arab people and thereby it was able to step forward with more confidence. The leaders and the members of Hezb Allah believe in the influence of the Islamic Revolution on the political scenes of Lebanon and especially on the Shiites of the country; they remember it with honor and with pride.
Saied Abraham Al – Amin, the spokesperson of Hezb Allah in the 80s, says: “The transmission of the Islamic Republic of Iran does not mean the domination of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the other countries of the Middle East; rather it is the revitalization of the Islamic life in the area in order for Islam to be what dominates these countries.”?
The ways that Hezb Allah was affected by the Islamic Republic of Iran
1. Shiites Symbolism:
From a historical point of view, Lebanon is one of the prime origins of Shiites; its history goes back to the beginning of Islam; that is when Moavieh as the governor of Sham sent Abazar Ghaffari, a disciple of Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon Him) to this area. In the Safavid era, Jebel Amel, from Lebanon, was one of the great Shiite clerics who was teaching the Shiite religious creeds in Iran. He was also one of the supporters of the Shiites government of the Safavid.
In the contemporary history as well, the Shiite areas of Lebanon have been a teaching center for educating the religious as well as revolutionary men of Iran such as Imam Mosa Sadr and Shahid Dr. Chamran.
Making use of the Shiites Symbols to transfer the revolutionary messages has been one of the other influences of the Islamic Republic of Iran on this party. Although there are cultural and language differences between the two countries of Lebanon and the Islamic Republic of Iran but making use of some symbols such as “Ashura”? , “The Martyrdom of Imam Hossein (A. S.)”? , the wars of the Prophet Mohammad (S. A.) as well as those of Imam Ali (A. S.) and . . . . . . . made Hezb Allah more capable and powerful in transferring the messages of Jihad , martyrdom , resistance as well as tolerance of the problems and difficulties and . . . . . . . . .
Symbolism and making use of the Shiites’ symbols by Hezb Allah were the causes for some people to join Hezb Allah and to refrain from being a Lebanese or a being a member of a poor dynasty that was deteriorated due to the civil war. In this way, a young Shiite man living in the southern suburbs of Beirut became a revolutionary Muslim and a member of the Religious Political society in the five continents through joining to Hezb Allah; he was regarded as a soldier under the commandment of Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.). The result of the relationship of Lebanese Hezb Allah and the Islamic Republic of Iran is a matter in the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran which is stable in its general principles and there has been no change in that relationship although there were different presidents in power.
In this position, there is no way that the most basic reason for the extensive attack of the Zionist regime in 1982 on Lebanon was because of the Lebanese Hezb Allah Movement; in a way that all the interpreters of the Middle East confess to this fact. But behind this issue, some issues and subject matters such as the Lebanese educated clergymen in Najaf who were influenced by the ideas and thought of Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.), as the leader of a revolutionary movement as well as the leader of the Lebanese changes, especially lack of political stability in Lebanon, due to the civil war, incapability of the intellectuals in managing the crisis as well as the progressive social class differences are some of the reasons for coming in to being of the Lebanese Hezb Allah.
After official establishment, Hezb Allah, to continue its activities, had to ameliorate its positions, accept its extension and abide by the laws of the play of democracy as new principles to foresee a great future for Lebanon. This shows that the Islamist groups act according to the ideological values; in addition they are affected by the conditions and circumstances of its society.
2. Vilayat Faghieh and the Leadership of Imam Khomeini
The most basic characteristic of Hezb Allah in comparison to the other Islamist groups of the Arab world is their complete accepting of the idea of Vilayat Faghieh and the leadership of Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.). This feature has been dominating all the organizational characteristics as well as perspectives of Hezb Allah and in fact it is one of the two basic reasons of combining small Islamist groups in Lebanon (in 1982) and in the formation of Hezb Allah. Saied Hassan Nasr Allah, regarding of Hezb Allah’s imitation of the leadership of Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.) says: “From our point of view, Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.) is a religious source, Imam and leader to the best of the world; he is as all the great religious leaders in the world; but he is more than this for us, he is the sign of Revolution against the oppressors, cruel and oppressive governments as well as . . . . . . In this way, Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.) is more than a religious symbol; this spiritual and intrinsic relationship was extant between Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.) and us even before the attack of Israel on Lebanon in 1982.
In this way, Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.) became the only legal authoritative power in the Hezb Allah of Lebanon; they used to accept his world and to act according to them.
3. The Pivotal Role of the Clergymen in the Political deeds:
The roles that the clergymen have in different positions of the Hezb Allah of Lebanon have not yet been seen in any of the parties as well as organizations. Since the beginning of the formation of the Hezb Allah of Lebanon until today, the majority of the council of the the Hezb Allah of Lebanon was the clergymen. The general secretariat as well as the vice – chancellor of the general secretariat of the Hezb Allah of Lebanon has always been chosen from among the clergy men. Most of these clergy men are the Shiite clergymen who have studied in the Religious Studies Center of Najaf. They have been influenced by the Iranian clergymen; their relationships were based on intimacy and in this way they have formed the two basic ideological and structural foundation of the Hezb Allah of Lebanon.
Most of those clergymen who were studying in Najaf were the students of Ayat Allah Shahid Mohammad Bagher Sadr and they have become familiar with the political ideas of Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.). These young students of religion who had gone to religious studies center in Najaf to study for higher degrees were ousted from Iraq by the Iraqi authorities for they feared these young men would be influenced by the Iraqi Shiites as well as by the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran; therefore they had to go back to their countries and take with them what they have learnt; they had of course learned a lot of things about political and revolutionary Islam; After the formation of the first session of the leadership council of the Hezb Allah of Lebanon in 1961, the members of this council came to the Iran and visited Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.) and in this way, they settled an official and organizational relationship based on imitating the decrees of Vilayat Faghieh. . . . . . . . .
4. The Political Literature and the Advertising Methods:
The political literature of the Hezb Allah of Lebanon indicates the influence of the Islamic revolution f Iran on this Hezb. The terms and phrases that are seen in the works and manifestos of the Hezb Allah of Lebanon or the great figures of this Hezb in the 80s have been taken from those terms and phrases that have propagated the Islamic Revolution of Iran. In addition the methods and means of advertisement that have been used to propagate the Hezb Allah of Lebanon are similar to those means that have been used in Iran.
The culture of the slogans of the Hezb Allah of Lebanon has been taken from the book of the Islamic Revolution of Iran. Choosing the title of “Hezb Allah”? has also been taken from the Ayahs of 22 and 56 of Maede Surah (AL-MAEDA (THE TABLE)).
“They said: o musa! Surely there is a strong race in it, and we will on no account enter it until they go out from it, so if they go out from it, then surely we will enter”?. (22)
“And whoever takes Allah and his messenger and those who believe for a guardian, then surely the party of Allah are they that shall be triumphant”?. (56)
In the discourse of Hezb Allah, issues such as Muslims and the weak nations of the world, under the heading of the Poor, America and the U. S. S. R. as the world colonizers, Israel as the cancer tumor, the subject matter of Islamic Unity to fight with the enemies of God and Islam, liberty of Qods and that the path of Qods is passing through Karbala have been all taken from the culture of the Islamic Revolution and as well as from the speeches of Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.).
Even in the 90s and 80s as well as the beginning of the third millennium, the Hezb Allah of Lebanon has been acting seriously under the influence of the Islamic Revolution and it does now as well. Its examples can be seen as holding the ceremonies the Ashura day and the demonstration of the Qods date which has now become a world date, the funeral of the martyrs, demonstrations and speeches as well as making use of videos on the part of this party are similar to the periods of the Islamic revolution of Iran when they were making use of tapes to impart the messages.
The Positions that Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.) took against Israel and Palestine:
Before the victory of the Islamic revolution, Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.), the founder of the Islamic revolution, had introduced the Zionists, the political Jews as well as the agents and representatives of the colonizers as criminals and oppressors. He used to think that it was necessary to continue fighting with this oppressing regime until the Islamic territories are freed and the Holy Qods and Masjid Al – Aqsa are liberated from the claws of the Zionists and after the victory of the Islamic revolution of Iran this regime was called “the cancer tumor of the areas”?. The last day of the holy month of Ramadan has been announced as the “date of Qods”? to make fighting with the Zionists a common issue and to make the Palestinian and Qods issue an everlasting issue; then Palestine was called “a determining part of the Islam”?.
In one of his positions he has said: “I am hereby announcing again the threat of Israel as a cancer and lousy tumor that is about to grow in the body of the Islamic countries of the area. . . . . . . .The heads of those countries who are seeking to comply with Israel should not think that the nature and the inner part of Israel will change by the passing of time and that the blood thirsty dogs of Zionist withdrew from the damned thought of extending their territories from Nile to Furat.
With the formation of the resisting cores of the Hezb Allah all over the world, Israel would be ashamed and repentant of its criminal past and the occupied lands will be taken out of the claws of the Zionists.
Basically, this is the duty of all the Muslims to free Qods and get rid of this corrupted body and dirt being from the Muslim countries.
The Influence of the Hezb Allah of Lebanon on the Islamic Movements of Palestine:
The Hezb Allah of Lebanon is not merely a national and usual party in a small Middle East country; because this party, although it has defined itself within the national frameworks and it has become very active in this arena; but at the same time it has extra – national characteristics and it has found a very noticeable performance in the area. This characteristic in fact is one of the characteristics of the Islamic Revolution in Iran that the Hezb Allah of Lebanon makes use of them to base its thoughts and behavior through religious collusion with it; they have internalized most of the characteristics of the Islamic revolution of Iran and thereby offered the Arab countries of the territory notable Arabic example. Therefore it can be said that Hezb Allah is the trustee of the Islamic Revolution of Iran in the Arabic countries and it has acted so far on the basis of its principles. One of the most important areas of influence of the Hezb Allah of Lebanon in the Middle East is the Palestinian society that has had a lot in common with the Hezb Allah of Lebanon; for example standing against Zionist Occupants as well as the need for having a successful paradigm have been some of the Palestinian needs in which the Hezb Allah of Lebanon has been successful; it was successful to adapt itself to its political environment.
The similarities and the effects of hezb Allah on the Palestinian Islamic Movements especially on the top two ones: Hmas and Islamic Jihad are:
1. The Hezb Allah of Lebanon came into being when Lebanon was politically defeated and half of the country was occupied by the Zionists of Israel. The Zionist regime occupied southern part of Lebanon in three days and almost without any resistance on the part of the Lebanon. Soon it settled around Beirut, the capital city of Lebanon (Asad Allahi , Bi Ta 153).
In that condition, all the Islamic countries except for Syria did not make any political move or in fact they did not do anything to stand against this transgression. During the occupation of Lebanon, the government of Beirut changed and Mr. Amin Jamil came to power in 1982 i .e. he became president. Amin Jamil was the son of Pir Jamil the founder of the Lebanese Phalange Party and he was one of the commanders of its military branches that was involved in the civil war of Lebanon and was in coalition with the Zionists in their attacks on Lebanon. Jamil government signed a peace treaty with the Zionist regime in May, 17th , 1983 . In this peace – treaty the Israeli government was officially acknowledged and as a result of which the military presence of the Israeli troops in the southern part of Lebanon from the Olla River to the international border was considered legal.
In these conditions in which the internal part of the country was inactive and passive due to its defeat, the Hezb Allah of Lebanon as a new political and general movement which was advocated its efforts to gratify the disagreement of the people was born and it started to move against the government of Lebanon in its approach to the issues of the area.
The Islamic movements of Palestine especially Hamas and Islamic Jihad have announced their existence in the same conditions. Since the years 1965 to 1982, The Liberalizing Organization of Palestine was the most important political player in Palestine that was leading the armed fighting out of Palestine from Jordan and then Lebanon. In the year 1970 and after the armed fights with the Jordanian army in the Black September events this organization has been ousted from this country and transferred to Lebanon.
The Liberalizing Organization of Palestine (S. A. F.) continued fighting with the Zionist regime in the southern borders. In the Zionist regime attack on The Liberalizing Organization of Palestine were defeated very badly and it drew back to Beirut without much resistance and after 42 days of blockade it accepted the peace – talks of the United States of America and they negotiated with Philip Habib the American convoy and finally they have accepted complete evacuation from Lebanon and they have accepted to settle down in Tunisia (Abu – Amro , Bi Ta).
The military defeat of The Liberalizing Organization of Palestine and its going out of Lebanon decreased the amount of its influence on the Palestine to a great extent and practically it evacuated the critical scenes of Palestine of the Arab players. The Liberalizing Organization of Palestine, after ousting from Lebanon chose political fight with the Zionist regime instead of military fights and “Yaser Arafat”? the leader of this movement in the 19th Aggregation of the National Council of Palestine in the year 1988 in Algeria has announced his complete readiness to change the covenant of this organization.
In these conditions, “Muslims Brothers Association”? ( Ikhvan Al – Moslemin ) that was the only available Islamic movement in that country that was because of the being influenced by a kind of source thinking and behavior in Egypt; it was still active with a cultural – religious approach. It rejected serious political fight as well as armed fights. In the beginning of the 80s The Liberalizing Organization of Palestine announced its existence in the Gaza strip based on the culture of the Islamic Revolution of Iran as well as the experience of the Hezb Allah of Lebanon. The Islamic Palestinian Movement (Hamas) came in to being not in so much different condition in the 80s. These two Islamc movement came in to being through the “Muslims Brothers Association”? ( Ikhvan Al – Moslemin ). But the culture of revolution and fighting has been adopted from the experience of the Islamic Republic of Iran directly as well as from the experience of Hezb Allah.
In choosing their approach, these two movements decided to reject the experience as well as the results of the activities of The Liberalizing Organization of Palestine and they decided to move their own way and not that of The Liberalizing Organization of Palestine. These two Islamic movements decided to move the crisis of Palestine from outside of the country to the inner side of the country. And with the start of the first Intifada in 1987 in the occupied areas of the west bank and the Gaza strip. They have created a new paradigm in the process of Palestinian fighting that is different from the leftist point of view of The Liberalizing Organization of Palestine which is an imported methodology based on the armed war. This approach which is regarded as a basic change in fighting with the Zionist regime was completed in the year 2000 with the beginning of the second intifada; it added the martyrdom seeking operations to the overwhelming and general political fights.
The Palestinian people who were more than half a century in war with the Zionism and have tolerated the cruelties and mercilessness of this regime has had hopes in the support of some Arabs or some guerilla groups. The Palestinian nation was for some times dependant on Jamal Abd- Al Nasir (the previous president of Egypt) and Pan Arabism, but the man who came to power after Jamal Abd- Al Nasir changed his orientationand by his travel to Beit Al – Moghadas and visiting the Israeli government’s heads strike the Palestinians with the worst stroke. And finally in 1358 Hegira (1980) takes itself out of the supporters of the Palestinian movement in the Camp David palace. He shook the hands of the Israelis in friendship and coalition. At the decree of Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.) to react against this treason the relationship between Iran and Egypt was cut immidiately. After Egypt there were also some more countries who joined it in compliance with the Zionist regime and they signed agreements with these regime. But with the victory of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the downfall of the Shah’s regime a new supporter was out there for the Palestinians and after this historical event, the political balances of the area especially in the occupied Palestine were imbalanced.
From the point if view of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the issue of Palestine is not an Arab issue rather it is an issue of the world of Islam. The specification of the Qods date by Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.), the last Friday in the holy month f Rmadan, was to remember that the Zionist regime does not understand any way except force and it is necessary to stand against force with force. The Palestinian people have to start to fight themselves and they have to get their rights themselves.
With the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, a new Islamic uprising started in Gaza strip and the west bank of the Jordan River. The Islamic Revolution of Iran was the final motivation and will. Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.) gave a new meaning to the life of the Iranians; in addition he revitalized the hope among millions of poor and Muslim people and the Palestinian Muslims felt that they are able to eradicate and uproot Israel (Fathi Sheghaghi , Bi Ta , : 87 – 88 ) .
Immediately after the victory of the Islamic Republic of Iran the first Center for the Islamic Jihad of Palestine was established in Gaza Strip. In this way after the 50s and 60s as well as 70s in which Islam was out of the Palestinian scene, it was Palestine again which was at the center of the world of Islam and it began to fight with the Zionist regime. Thereafter the principles of Jihad, martyrdom and generosity for the sake of their goals were the Shiites’ symbols as well as those of the Islamic Revolution of Iran. These were dealt with as the basic principles of Islamic Jihad of Palestine (Kadivar , Bi Ta , : 96) . . . . . .
Ahmad Sedigh one of the spokesmen of the Islamic Jihad has written in an article that: “The victory of the Islamic beliefs in Iran is their fighting with Israel”?. Sheikh Ahmad Tamimi one of the Palestinian leaders also says: “Until the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran Islam was absent from the fighting scenes; it was the Islamic Revolution of Iran that transported to the Palestinian area this reality that Islam is the real and the most basic solution and Jihad is the best means.”?
It was here that the Islamic Jihad of Palestine announced that: “The Palestinian issue is an Islamic issue and it is not just a national issue that might be just related to the Palestinians; it is neither an Arabic issue that might be related to the Arabs. Palestinian issue is an issue that is related to all the Islamic World”?.
In this way the supporters of the ideas of Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.) became the most favorite group for the settlers of the Gaza strip and the west bank. In fact the general operation of the Islamic Jihad forces of Palestine in encouraging the Palestinians to fight indicates the spiritual and political growth as well as influence in the Palestinian society. In Sheikh Abd Allah Shami point of view that was an outstanding Palestinian figure “the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran has had a great influence on the revolution and people of Palestine. After that, the Palestinian people understood that they need Qur’an and gun. This was first fulfilled in the Islamic Jihad movement that was first of all invested the seed of such thinking in Palestine.”?
The most basic and the real reason for the disagreement as well as enmity and negative propagation of the United States of America and the Zionist regime against the Islamic Revolution of Iran also refer to the issue of Intifada and the general revolt of the Muslim people against the occupants. The compilation and the continuation of Intifada has been strongly under the influence of the Islamic Revolution of Muslim people of Iran. The revolution that people fulfilled against Shah and the dominance of America; it was, according to the western interpreters an earthquake that has shakes the Middle East very severely.
The revolutionary movement forerunners in Palestine and the intifada activists have been Muslims who had seen the defeat of the socialist movements and nationalist movements in fighting against the Zionists. They have formed organizations with Islamic orientations in order to stand against the Zionist regime; Hamas and Islamic Jihad are two examples. These Islamic groups have started movements and actions against the Zionist regime the most important of which was armed fights and performance of martyrdom seeking operations against this regime. Equally they have been busy doing cultural activities and attracting and organizing the Muslim and enthusiastic youths. These activities in the end led to the movement and revolt of the Muslim people of Palestine in 1987 which is known as Intifada. The investigation of this revolt and Intifada of Masjid Al – Aqsa that was started in 1379 (2001), shows that the process peace has been affected by it to a great extent.
Fathi Sheghaghi, the secretariat general of the Islamic Jihad Organization, believes, about the effects of the Islamic Revolution of Iran on the beginning of Intifada as well as its continuation, that: “The occupied Palestine like the other Islamic Arab countries has been under the influence of Islamic revolt under the commandment id Imam Khomeini (R. T. A.); his influence is best felt in Palestine compared to the other places. With the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran we came to ourselves and understood that Israel and the United States of America can be defeated, too.
If we have a glance over the events that have so far taken place in the Middle East especially on the general thinking of the Islamic world and Lebanon as well as occupied Palestine we will understand that the Islamic Revolution could find a place among the Muslims as well as the liberty seeking movements as a paradigm and a method for fighting. The Islamic Revolution of Iran has had a great role in the awakening of the Muslims as well as the Islamic liberalizing movements. What nowadays has worried the United States of America and the Zionist regime is the spiritual and political influence of the Islamic Revolution of Iran among the Muslims of the World and the liberalizing Islamic movements; therefore a great part of the spite, enmity and virulence of the United States of America and the Zionist regime for the Islamic Revolution of Iran refers to the role and effect of this great 20th century historical phenomenon in the Islamic World; they have such point of standing because of the growth and power of the anti – colonization movements and anti – occupant movements in the Middle East since the day after the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran until today.
Sources:
1. The constitutional laws of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, The Ministry of Islamic Guidance , August 1990 ( Shahrivar 1368 ) . . . . . . .
2. Mohammad Bagher Soleimani , The Players of the Middle East peace talks , Tehran : The Office for International and Political Studies . 1379 ( 2000 ) . . . . . . .
3. Martyrdom Seeking Operation. Why and How? Authors : Hassan Bagheri , Morteza Salemi Ghamsari , Ava Art and cultural institute , 1381 ( 2001 ) . . . . . . .
4. Sheikh Neim Ghasem. The Hezb Allah of Lebanon , Its future and Past pathways , Trans. By : Mohammad Medi Shariat Madar, First Edition , Tehran , Etellaat 1383 . . . . . . . .
5. Asad Allahi , Masoud . From Resistance to Victory , The Research Institute of Noor 1379 ( 2000 ) . . . . . . . .
6. Abu – Omro , Ziad , The Islamic Movements in the West bank and in Gaza Strip . Trans. By : Hassan Khameh Yar , The Office of Islamic Publishing and Printing Co. . . . . . . .
7. Fathi , Sheghaghi . Intifada and the contemporary plan of the International Al – Mahdi Pub. Co. . . . . . . . .
8. Kadivar , Jamile . The Confrontation of the Islamic Revolution of Irtan and the United States of America , Tehran . The Effect of the Revolution Pub. Co. . . . . . .
Writer: Sayed Morteza Hosseini
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