Mixed Emotions

So pro-Hezbollah figures have nothing but praise for Nasrallah's "I'm not talking about normal body parts" speech. This is not a surprise. The reaction from anti-Hezbollah people has been far more interesting. Pace Nick Blanford, in NOW Lebanon: "Nasrallah is a master of psychological manipulation, acknowledged even by the Israelis, and his words had a powerful effect in Israel."

The liberal Israeli daily Haaretz also got into the act, publishing an article that claims Hezbollah's omnipotence in everything from welfare services to -- I kid you not -- managing organic food markets:

"Hezbollah is the only real political party in Lebanon. The state does not exist: The public schools are terrible, and anyone who wants a decent education goes to private schools. There is zero health insurance. The other political parties exist on paper. In fact, these are one-family parties. Hezbollah, however, is everywhere; it provides education and welfare. Non-religious people also enjoy its services.

Me, I'm not so sure. To me, Nasrallah's remarks only made it more likely that Israel will decide that it is impossible to reach any sort of understanding with Hezbollah, and that their only option is to wipe them off the map. I can see a normal, non-Hezbollah Lebanese supporting "resistance" to liberate Lebanese territory. But a never-ending state of war against a technologically superior enemy, complete with the most grotesque rhetoric imaginable? Are FPM supporters comfortable with Aoun mounting a podium to brag about "a semi-complete body from the chest to the pelvis?" This was a misstep by Nasrallah. Some people just haven't realized it yet.