2. What is Hezbollah? Militant Shia terrorist network based in Southern Lebanon and funded by Iran Cited aim is to destroy Israel while turning Lebanon into a Muslim state Call themselves the “Party of God,” and provide social services to the local population to garner support Active political organization in Lebanon
3. Creation of Hezbollah Israel invaded Lebanon in 1982 to drive out the PLO which had been continually waging attacks on Israel Hezbollah is created with the assistance of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps to expel Israel from Lebanon Its leaders were first initially inspired by Ayatollah Khomeini Hezbollah’s initial goals were to: “Put an end to any colonialist entity in Lebanon, bring the Phalangists to justice for the crimes they had perpetrated, and establish an Islamic regime in Lebanon.”
8. Partial List of Hezbollah Attacks Carried out 36 suicide attacks in Lebanon between 1982 and 1986, directed at American, Israeli, and French forces, killing 659 people. Bombed the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon in 1983, killing 63 people Bombed the U.S. Marine Beirut barracks in 1983, killing 241 Americans Hijacked a Kuwait flight in 1984, killing 4 passengers Hijacked TWA flight 847 in 1985, killing a Navy serviceman Bombed a U.S. Embassy vehicle in 2008 Continual rocket attacks upon Israeli civilian population centers and kidnappings 1995– 2000 and 2006
9. Missile Arsenal Hezbollah has at least 80,000 missiles hidden throughout Southern Lebanon Katyusha 20-45 km Shahin 2 29 km Fajr-3 45 km Fajr-5 75 km Arash 20 km Oghab 45 km Zelzal-2 100-400 km IGLA 9K338 SAM 5-7 km altitude C-802 Tondar 400 km anti-ship
12. Hezbollah hides their rocket launchers amongst densely populated Lebanese civilian areas to provoke civilian casualties from Israeli air strikes
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14. A Proxy of Iran Hezbollah receives funding and logistical support from Syria and primarily from Iran Iran supplies Hezbollah with weapons and military training from Iran’s own Islamic Revolutionary Guard Hezbollah takes orders from the Iranian religious leadership regarding military targets, tactics, and political actions Hezbollah has a defense treaty with Iran and Syria, where if one entity fights in a conflict or is attacked, the other entities will come to each other’s aid to fight in the conflict
15. Funding and Influence Western analysts estimate Hezbollah’s budget to be $200-$500 million annually Hezbollah is funded by Iran, Syria, charitable organizations, individual donations, businesses, illegal arms trading, cigarette smuggling, counterfeiting, credit card fraud, theft, illegal telephone exchanges, and drug trafficking Hezbollah has active cells in many Western countries all over the world, and in Israel, raising money and plotting new attacks on Americans, Jews, and Westerners
16. American Infiltration Hezbollah maintains agents and sleeper cells in the U.S., ready to carry out terrorist attacks if ordered by leadership Extensive Hezbollah cigarette smuggling ring discovered in 2002 in North Carolina The terror cell procured weapons and dual-use technologies in the U.S. which it shipped back to Lebanon to be used against Israelis and other Western targets Hezbollah has used Mexican drug routes to infiltrate the U.S. across the southern border
17. Hezbollah – Greater Threat than Al Qaeda? Former Homeland security Chief Michael Chertoff: “Someone described Hezbollah like the A-team of terrorists in terms of capabilities, in terms of range of weapons they have, in terms of internal discipline. To be honest, they make Al Qaeda look like a minor league team.”
18. What Can We Do? Keep informed of world events Be alert and report suspicious activity Spread the information to others and raise awareness Lobby politicians, write letters supporting tough anti-terrorism policy and legislation Be prepared for any terrorist attack and have a plan Support Israel in the war of public opinion, in the media, and in casual conversation, and confront lies and propaganda regarding Israel Support our troops, foreign policies, and democratic movements that actively oppose and attack these terrorist networks
19. Remember… We cannot remain passive or indifferent in this war against terrorism The enemies of freedom are highly motivated and aggressive in their aims We must meet force with force, and defeat these ideologies of oppression and slavery
20. Freedom is the sure possession of those alone who have the courage to defend it
