Changes

The [[Associated Press]] reported on "Blood diamonds fund Hezbollah" (2004): that Lebanon's Hezbollah guerrilla movement is systematically siphoning profits from  West Africa's multimillion-dollar diamond trade, in part by threatening the Lebanese merchants who long have handled much of the region's diamond business, US diplomats in West [[Africa]] charge.  

The [[Associated Press]] reported on "Blood diamonds fund Hezbollah" (2004): that Lebanon's Hezbollah guerrilla movement is systematically siphoning profits from  West Africa's multimillion-dollar diamond trade, in part by threatening the Lebanese merchants who long have handled much of the region's diamond business, US diplomats in West [[Africa]] charge.  

The pervasive claim is wider on organised and co-ercive Hezbollah profiteering from West Africa's diamond trade than most [[US]] officials have previously acknowledged.  

The pervasive claim is wider --on organised and co-ercive Hezbollah profiteering from West Africa's diamond trade-- than most [[US]] officials have previously acknowledged.  

"One thing that's incontrovertible is the financing of Hezbollah. It's not even an open secret; there is no secret," Larry Andre, deputy chief of mission for the [[US Embassy]] in diamond-rich [[Sierra Leone]], told The [[Associated Press]].  

"One thing that's incontrovertible is the financing of Hezbollah. It's not even an open secret; there is no secret," Larry Andre, deputy chief of mission for the [[US Embassy]] in diamond-rich [[Sierra Leone]], told The [[Associated Press]].  

<ref>http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/Blood-diamonds-fund-Hezbollah-20040629</ref><ref>http://archive.wn.com/2004/07/02/1400/diamond/sale.html</ref>

<ref>http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/Blood-diamonds-fund-Hezbollah-20040629</ref><ref>http://archive.wn.com/2004/07/02/1400/diamond/sale.html</ref>

T. Schure wrote in "Blood Diamonds: Still Bloody" (May 14, 2010)

T. Schure wrote in "Blood Diamonds: Still Bloody" (May 14, 2010) that West Africa is a well known transit center for smuggled diamonds, especially for Lebanese traders, with many sales funding criminal and terrorist groups including Hezbollah.

<blockquote>West Africa is a well known transit center for smuggled diamonds, especially for Lebanese traders, with many sales funding criminal and terrorist groups. European and American intelligence sources have long known that Hezbollah has raised significant amounts of money in West Africa through the largely Shiite Muslim Lebanese communities in Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Togo. There are an estimated 120,000 Lebanese in West Africa, mostly involved in import-export businesses.</blockquote>

<ref>http://www.worldpress.org/Africa/3543.cfm</ref>  

<ref>http://www.worldpress.org/Africa/3543.cfm</ref>  

==Character, racism, fascism==

==Character, racism, fascism==

A writer in the [[Christian Science Monitor]] explains that "Hizbullah's real goal is racist: To free the Middle East holy lands of Jews... Hizbullah's goal is not the "liberation" of Palestine. Its members are not Palestinian. They are Islamic extremists who want to "liberate" all Islamic land."<ref>http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0727/p09s01-coop.html</ref>

A writer in the [[Christian Science Monitor]] explains that "Hizbullah's real goal is racist: To free the Middle East holy lands of Jews... Hizbullah's goal is not the "liberation" of Palestine. Its members are not Palestinian. They are (Arab) Islamic extremists who want to "liberate" all Islamic land."<ref>http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0727/p09s01-coop.html</ref>

Its [[Al-Manar]] television is infamous for being [[racist]], Several [[European]] countries, including [[France]], [[Spain]], [[Germany]] and the [[Netherlands]], as well as [[Australia]], have also taken measures to block Al-Manar.  In March 2005, the broadcasting regulators in the [[European Union]] agreed to ban satellite broadcasting of Al-Manar on the basis that the channel carried racist material and incitement.  As a result, several satellite service providers, most of them European, dropped Al-Manar, making it unavailable in North and South America, Asia and Australia.  Al-Manar, is, however, still available in Europe through Arab satellite companies and its Web site offers English, French and Spanish translations of its material.

Its [[Al-Manar]] television is infamous for being [[racist]], several [[European]] countries, including [[France]], [[Spain]], [[Germany]] and the [[Netherlands]], as well as [[Australia]], have also taken measures to block Al-Manar.  In March 2005, the broadcasting regulators in the [[European Union]] agreed to ban satellite broadcasting of Al-Manar on the basis that the channel carried racist material and incitement.  As a result, several satellite service providers, most of them European, dropped Al-Manar, making it unavailable in North and South America, Asia and Australia.  Al-Manar, is, however, still available in Europe through Arab satellite companies and its Web site offers English, French and Spanish translations of its material.

<ref>http://www.adl.org/main_terrorism/hezbollah_overview.htm?Multi_page_sections=sHeading_8 </ref>  

<ref>http://www.adl.org/main_terrorism/hezbollah_overview.htm?Multi_page_sections=sHeading_8 </ref>  

<ref>http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2006/08/08/death_and_destruction_are_hezbollahs_goals/</ref>

<ref>http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2006/08/08/death_and_destruction_are_hezbollahs_goals/</ref>

It has been written in an article titled "Hezbollah's Nazi roots" that "Hezbollah's Nazi salute evokes memories of Hitler's support for Arab agitators such as the Grand Mufti ([[al-Husayni]]) of Jerusalem and the leaders of a pro-[[Nazi]] coup."<ref>http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/issuesideas/story.html?id=e3157f0d-21ad-41e9-b26e-a3c06a460e73</ref>

It has been written in an article titled "Hezbollah's Nazi roots" that "Hezbollah's Nazi salute evokes memories of [[Hitler]]'s support for [[Arab]] agitators such as the Grand Mufti ([[al-Husayni]]) of Jerusalem and the leaders of a pro-[[Nazi]] coup."<ref>http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/issuesideas/story.html?id=e3157f0d-21ad-41e9-b26e-a3c06a460e73</ref>

==Iran's arm: "Big Satan, Little Satan" & martyrdom philosophy==

==Iran's arm: "Big Satan, Little Satan" & martyrdom philosophy==

Israel and the United States as Portrayed in the Doctrine of Hezbollah:  

Israel and the United States as Portrayed in the Doctrine of Hezbollah:  

Hatred of Israel (“that vile microbe”) and the Jewish people, --As an arm of Iran it regards, <ref>http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2007/3/30/204228.shtml?s=lh</ref> <ref>http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/GC25Ak04.html</ref> <ref>http://www.ict.org.il/Articles/tabid/66/Articlsid/231/currentpage/10/Default.aspx</ref>

 

1) Hatred of Israel (“that vile microbe”) and the Jewish people, --As an arm of Iran it regards, <ref>http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2007/3/30/204228.shtml?s=lh</ref> <ref>http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/GC25Ak04.html</ref> <ref>http://www.ict.org.il/Articles/tabid/66/Articlsid/231/currentpage/10/Default.aspx</ref>

<ref>http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3272498,00.html</ref>

<ref>http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3272498,00.html</ref>

<ref>http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123093176783149767.html</ref>

<ref>http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123093176783149767.html</ref>

<ref>http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/iran_hezbollah_e1b.htm</ref> and it seeks to-- Eradicating the 'Little Satan'  

<ref>http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/iran_hezbollah_e1b.htm</ref> and it seeks to-- Eradicating the 'Little Satan.'  

Hatred of the United States (“the big Satan”)  

2) Hatred of the [[United States]] (“the big Satan”)  

The doctrine of Hezbollah: Suicide attacks (“the shortest road to Allah”) are of supreme value.  

3) The doctrine of Hezbollah: Suicide attacks (“the shortest road to Allah”) are of supreme value.  

<ref>http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/hezbollah.htm</ref>

<ref>http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/hezbollah.htm</ref>

==Violence, Bloodshed==

==Violence, Bloodshed==

===Regional: Lebanon, Israel===

===Regional: Lebanon, Israel===

====Kidnappings, torture====

====Kidnappings, torture====

Among the notorious victims were: William Francis Buckley, Terry Anderson,  William Richard Higgins.

Among the notorious victims were: William Francis Buckley, Terry Anderson,  William Richard Higgins.

In March, 1984, Hezbollah operatives kidnapped William Francis Buckley, the CIA's station chief in Lebanon. He was whisked to Damascus and on to Tehran, where, after 15 months of torture, he succumbed to a heart attack.  

In March, 1984, Hezbollah operatives kidnapped William Francis Buckley, the CIA's station chief in [[Lebanon]]. He was whisked to [[Damascus]] and on to [[Tehran]], where, after 15 months of torture, he succumbed to a heart attack.  

<ref>Willful Blindness: A Memoir of the Jihad By Andrew C. McCarthy, Encounter Books, 2008, p. 97

<ref>Willful Blindness: A Memoir of the Jihad By Andrew C. McCarthy, Encounter Books, 2008, p. 97

[http://books.google.com/books?&id=5dgoAQAAIAAJ&dq=buckley]</ref>

[http://books.google.com/books?&id=5dgoAQAAIAAJ&dq=buckley]</ref>

Feb. 17, 1988: The group kidnaps Col. William Higgins, a U.S. Marine serving with a United Nations truce monitoring group in Lebanon, and later murders him.

Feb. 17, 1988: The group kidnaps Col. William Higgins, a [[U.S.]] Marine serving with a [[United Nations]] truce monitoring group in Lebanon, and later murders him.

The [[United States]] asserts that top Hezbollah military commander who was one of America's most wanted men, accused of involvement in a string of bombings, hijackings and kidnappings during the 1980s and 1990s, Imad Mughniyeh, was also behind the torture and murder of William Buckley, the CIA station chief in Beirut, in 1984; the kidnapping, torture and murder of Lieutenant Colonel William Richard Higgins of the Marines, who was on peacekeeping duty in Lebanon in 1988; and, through the Islamic Jihad Organization, the seizure of Western hostages in Beirut during the 1980s.

The [[United States]] asserts that top Hezbollah military commander who was one of America's most wanted men, accused of involvement in a string of bombings, hijackings and kidnappings during the 1980s and 1990s, [[Imad Mughniyeh]], was also behind the torture and murder of [[William Buckley]], the CIA station chief in Beirut, in 1984; the kidnapping, torture and murder of Lieutenant Colonel William Richard Higgins of the Marines, who was on peacekeeping duty in Lebanon in 1988; and, through the Islamic Jihad Organization, the seizure of Western hostages in Beirut during the 1980s.

<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/13/world/africa/13iht-syria.4.10025106.html?pagewanted=all</ref>

<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/13/world/africa/13iht-syria.4.10025106.html?pagewanted=all</ref>

<ref>Lightning out of Lebanon: Hezbollah terrorists on American soil By Tom Diaz, Barbara Newman, p. 64 [http://books.google.com/books?cd=4&id=waboAAAAIAAJ&dq=torture ]</ref> <ref>http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2006/jul/20/20060720-081459-2509r/</ref>

<ref>Lightning out of Lebanon: Hezbollah terrorists on American soil By Tom Diaz, Barbara Newman, p. 64 [http://books.google.com/books?cd=4&id=waboAAAAIAAJ&dq=torture ]</ref> <ref>http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2006/jul/20/20060720-081459-2509r/</ref>

From a legal claim against [[Iran]]:<blockquote> In the instant case the evidence once again discloses that Iran provided Hezbollah with funding, direction and training for its terrorist activities in Lebanon, including the kidnapping and torture of Terry Anderson hezbollah kidnapping torture and his imprisonment as a hostage for 2,454 days.</blockquote>

From a legal claim against [[Iran]]:<blockquote> In the instant case the evidence once again discloses that Iran provided Hezbollah with funding, direction and training for its terrorist activities in Lebanon, including the kidnapping and torture of Terry Anderson hezbollah kidnapping torture and his imprisonment as a hostage for 2,454 days.

<ref>Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act: Congressional Hearing, Bill McCollum, DIANE Publishing, 2002, p. 24 [http://books.google.com/books?id=XB4lFqK_2SgC&pg=PA24]</ref>

<ref>Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act: Congressional Hearing, Bill McCollum, DIANE Publishing, 2002, p. 24 [http://books.google.com/books?id=XB4lFqK_2SgC&pg=PA24]</ref></blockquote>

Dec. 31, 1986: Under the alias Organization of the Oppressed on Earth, Hezbollah announces it had kidnapped and murdered three Lebanese Jews. The organization previously had taken responsibility for killing four other Jews since 1984.

Dec. 31, 1986: Under the alias Organization of the Oppressed on Earth, Hezbollah announces it had kidnapped and murdered three Lebanese [[Jews]]. The organization previously had taken responsibility for killing four other Jews since 1984.

<ref>http://www.camera.org/index.asp?x_context=2&x_outlet=118&x_article=1148</ref>

<ref>http://www.camera.org/index.asp?x_context=2&x_outlet=118&x_article=1148</ref>

The 1985 Hezbollah torture-murder of Isaac Tarab, 63, and Chaim Halala Cohen, 39,  the 1986 Hezbollah's torturing to death of Ibrahim Benesti, aged 54, of Beirut, and his elderly relatives, Yehudah and Yosef, Benesti's family – like many Lebanese [[Jews]] – had been in [[Lebanon]] since 2,000 B.C. (before the birth of [[Mohammed]]), described as a charitable and kindly candy store owner who gave free candy to children of all religions. All these crimes were motivated for no other reason than for the victims simply being Jewish.<ref>http://www.wnd.com/index.php?pageId=11798</ref>

The 1985 Hezbollah torture-murder of Isaac Tarab, 63, and Chaim Halala Cohen, 39,  the 1986 Hezbollah's torturing to death of Ibrahim Benesti, aged 54, of Beirut, and his elderly relatives, Yehudah and Yosef, Benesti's family – like many [[Lebanese]] [[Jews]] – had been in [[Lebanon]] since 2,000 B.C. (before the birth of [[Mohammed]]), [described as a charitable and kindly candy store owner who gave free candy to children of all religions]. All these crimes were motivated for no other reason than for the victims simply being Jewish.<ref>http://www.wnd.com/index.php?pageId=11798</ref>

 

<ref>Time, Volume 131, Issues 18-26 By Henry Robinson Luce, Time Inc., 1988, p. iv [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,967469,00.html]</ref></blockquote>

At a 2008 proisoner swap-deal, Israel was forced to make with Hezbollah, Bradley Burston wrote "The pleasure that Hezbollah takes in torture."<blockquote>

At a 2008 proisoner swap-deal, Israel was forced to make with Hezbollah, Bradley Burston wrote "The pleasure that Hezbollah takes in torture."<blockquote>

Smadar Haran would later recall, "By the time we were rescued from the crawl space, hours later, Yael, too, was dead. In trying to save all our lives, I had smothered her."  

Smadar Haran would later recall, "By the time we were rescued from the crawl space, hours later, Yael, too, was dead. In trying to save all our lives, I had smothered her."  

Two weeks ago, in an act of heroism that is beyond imagination, Smadar Haran spoke publicly of coming to terms with the impending release of the monster who turned her life into a waking nightmare. "Samir Kuntar isn't, nor has he ever been, my private prisoner," she told a news conference. "His fate must be decided now according to Israel's needs and ethical interests." ...Kuntar... his elevation to the status of hero and martyr to the Palestinian struggle or the Lebanese resistance.  

Two weeks ago, in an act of heroism that is beyond imagination, Smadar Haran spoke publicly of coming to terms with the impending release of the monster who turned her life into a waking nightmare. "Samir Kuntar isn't, nor has he ever been, my private prisoner," she told a news conference. "His fate must be decided now according to Israel's needs and ethical interests." ...Kuntar... his elevation to the status of hero and martyr to the <i>Palestinian struggle</i> or the <i>Lebanese resistance</i>.  

<br><br>

<br><br>

For Israelis, even after all these years, the release of Kuntar is a form of self-inflicted torture. So heinous, so unpardonable were his crimes, that American Jewish author and journalist Jeffrey Goldberg, himself a veteran of the [[IDF]], wrote on The Atlantic Monthly's Website... "As unbelievable as this sounds, Israel is actually thinking of swapping Samir Kuntar in a prisoner exchange with Hezbollah. Kuntar is perhaps the most terrible person held in an Israeli prison, a man who crushed the skull of a Jewish child against a rock."</blockquote>

For Israelis, even after all these years, the release of Kuntar is a form of self-inflicted torture. So heinous, so unpardonable were his crimes, that American Jewish author and journalist Jeffrey Goldberg, himself a veteran of the [[IDF]], wrote on The [[Atlantic Monthly]]'s Website... "As unbelievable as this sounds, Israel is actually thinking of swapping Samir Kuntar in a prisoner exchange with Hezbollah. Kuntar is perhaps the most terrible person held in an Israeli prison, a man who crushed the skull of a Jewish child against a rock."

<ref>http://www.haaretz.com/news/bradley-burston-the-pleasure-that-hezbollah-takes-in-torture-1.249790</ref>

<ref>http://www.haaretz.com/news/bradley-burston-the-pleasure-that-hezbollah-takes-in-torture-1.249790</ref></blockquote>

====Terror attack on US embassy====

====Terror attack on US embassy====

The writer W. Phares explains on the suffering of civilians, especially since Hezbollah's take over in 2000: <blockquote>Such takeover by the Jihadist militia was expected to provoke an exodus by thousands of civilians who would have been subjected to Hezbollah’s persecution. However suddenly on May 23, the Israeli Government then under Prime Minister Ehud Barak ordered a quick pull out from the security zone without waiting for the local force, at the time known as ‘South Lebanon Army’ (SLA) to be transferred under the United Nations or to operate as a local force to stop Hezbollah until the UN would decide what to do.

The writer W. Phares explains on the suffering of civilians, especially since Hezbollah's take over in 2000: <blockquote>Such takeover by the Jihadist militia was expected to provoke an exodus by thousands of civilians who would have been subjected to Hezbollah’s persecution. However suddenly on May 23, the Israeli Government then under Prime Minister Ehud Barak ordered a quick pull out from the security zone without waiting for the local force, at the time known as ‘South Lebanon Army’ (SLA) to be transferred under the United Nations or to operate as a local force to stop Hezbollah until the UN would decide what to do.

The population of the “security zone” was about 150,000 counting the district of Jezzine; and its local forces were about 3,000 strong. the make up of the population was Christian, Shia and Druse with some Sunni villages to the East. To their north Hezbollah had massed its forces backed by Iranian Pasdaran advisors. Between 1984 and 2000 Hezbollah launched several offensives against the SLA positions but was unable to overrun them permanently.</blockquote>

The population of the “security zone” was about 150,000 counting the district of Jezzine; and its local forces were about 3,000 strong. the make up of the population was Christian, Shia and Druse with some Sunni villages to the East. To their north Hezbollah had massed its forces backed by Iranian Pasdaran advisors. Between 1984 and 2000 Hezbollah launched several offensives against the SLA positions but was unable to overrun them permanently.

<ref>http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/publications/id.6309/pub_detail.asp</ref>

<ref>http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/publications/id.6309/pub_detail.asp</ref></blockquote>

====Civil war====

====Civil war====

"Rival factions return to arms as Lebanon stares into the abyss" in Nov 2007.<ref>http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article2926154.ece</ref>

"Rival factions return to arms as Lebanon stares into the abyss" in Nov 2007.<ref>http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article2926154.ece</ref>

eIn May 8, 2008 Clashes erupted as Hezbollah chief [[Hassan Nasrallah]] claims 'War' <ref>http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/middle_east/jan-june08/lebanon_0508.html</ref>, clashes between Hezbollah and Druze continued in Lebanon for the 5th day, it erupted in Lebanon's northern port city of Tripoli, as fighting between the Hezbollah militia and its rivals grew. <ref>http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/middleeast/news/article_1404713.php/17_dead_in_Lebanon_-_Druze-Hezbollah_clashes_break_out__2nd_Lead_</ref><ref>http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/05/12/lebanon.violence/index.html</ref> The Lebanese army said it will intervene, it will use force from to stop fighting, which brough the overall toll to 81 dead and about 250 wounded.  

In May 8, 2008 Clashes erupted as Hezbollah chief [[Hassan Nasrallah]] claims 'War' <ref>http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/middle_east/jan-june08/lebanon_0508.html</ref>, clashes between Hezbollah and Druze continued in Lebanon for the 5th day, it erupted in Lebanon's northern port city of Tripoli, as fighting between the Hezbollah militia and its rivals grew. <ref>http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/middleeast/news/article_1404713.php/17_dead_in_Lebanon_-_Druze-Hezbollah_clashes_break_out__2nd_Lead_</ref><ref>http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/05/12/lebanon.violence/index.html</ref> The Lebanese army said it will intervene, it will use force from to stop fighting, which brough the overall toll to 81 dead and about 250 wounded.  

<ref>http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSL12505038200805</ref>

<ref>http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSL12505038200805</ref>

<ref>http://www.mg.co.za/article/2008-05-12-clashes-bring-lebanon-death-toll-to-81</ref>

<ref>http://www.mg.co.za/article/2008-05-12-clashes-bring-lebanon-death-toll-to-81</ref>

The [[Los Angeles Times]] wrote in November 1, 1989 that a Palestinian group allied with Hezbollah is linked to a plane crash.<blockquote>

The [[Los Angeles Times]] wrote in November 1, 1989 that a Palestinian group allied with Hezbollah is linked to a plane crash.<blockquote>

Specialists have linked a terrorist bomb that destroyed a French airliner last month (Oct, 1989) in Africa to a Palestinian group allied with the pro-Iranian Hezbollah, the newspaper Figaro said... Working with fragments of a suitcase found in the wreckage of the airliner, specialists in Paris' central police laboratory found similarities to a terrorist bomb that exploded at a Paris department store almost five years ago. The February 1985 attack at the department store resulted in the arrest of Habib Maammar, a Tunisian member of a group directed by the Palestinian bomb maker Abu Ibrahim.</blockquote>

Specialists have linked a terrorist bomb that destroyed a French airliner last month (Oct, 1989) in Africa to a Palestinian group allied with the pro-Iranian Hezbollah, the newspaper Figaro said... Working with fragments of a suitcase found in the wreckage of the airliner, specialists in Paris' central police laboratory found similarities to a terrorist bomb that exploded at a Paris department store almost five years ago. The February 1985 attack at the department store resulted in the arrest of Habib Maammar, a Tunisian member of a group directed by the Palestinian bomb maker Abu Ibrahim.

<ref>http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1989-11-01/news/8911013269_1_hezbollah-bomb-police-in-paris</ref>

<ref>http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1989-11-01/news/8911013269_1_hezbollah-bomb-police-in-paris</ref></blockquote>

====Terror attack on French department stores====

====Terror attack on French department stores====

<ref>http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/hp1036.htm</ref>

<ref>http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/hp1036.htm</ref>

[[Venezuela]]'s [[Hugo Chavez]] (Called a dictator & has close ties with the Mullahcracy theocracy dictatorship of the Islamic Republic of [[Iran]] <ref>http://www.doublex.com/blog/xxfactor/adios-democracy</ref> <ref>http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2010/03/08/sean-penn-wants-reporters-jailed-calling-chavez-dictator/</ref>) has publicly supported a Hezbollah candidate for the Lebanese government, he was a supporter of Hezbollah during the 2006 war in Lebanon; afterward, the group placed signs in Lebanon proclaiming "Gracias, Chavez!" He openly invited Hezbollah members to live in Venezuela. Venezuela's embassies in the Middle East have been used to launder Hezbollah's dirty money, per investigation by the U.S. Treasury Dept

[[Venezuela]]'s [[Hugo Chavez]] (Called a dictator <ref>http://www.securityaffairs.org/issues/2006/11/fleischman.php</ref>

<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/americas/3341771.stm</ref><ref>http://www.davidbruceallen.com/strategyoped/2007/05/hugo_chavezs_fi.html</ref> & his regime a dictatorship <ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/04/AR2006080401768.html</ref>, and has close ties with the Mullahcracy theocracy dictatorship of the Islamic Republic of [[Iran]] <ref>http://www.doublex.com/blog/xxfactor/adios-democracy</ref> <ref>http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2010/03/08/sean-penn-wants-reporters-jailed-calling-chavez-dictator/</ref>) has publicly supported a Hezbollah candidate for the Lebanese government, he was a supporter of Hezbollah during the 2006 war in Lebanon; afterward, the group placed signs in Lebanon proclaiming "Gracias, Chavez!" He openly invited Hezbollah members to live in Venezuela. Venezuela's embassies in the Middle East have been used to launder Hezbollah's dirty money, per investigation by the U.S. Treasury Dept

In January 2010, Israeli intelligence released information that Chavez shipped heavy arms to Hezbollah the year before; the ship originated in Venezuela, stopped in Iran and docked in Lebanon.  

In January 2010, Israeli intelligence released information that Chavez shipped heavy arms to Hezbollah the year before; the ship originated in Venezuela, stopped in Iran and docked in Lebanon.  

<ref>http://www.israeltoday.co.il/default.aspx?tabid=178&nid=20408</ref>

<ref>http://www.israeltoday.co.il/default.aspx?tabid=178&nid=20408</ref>