This draft is from a post that was to be called “A conversation with Farjad’s family” and was started almost two weeks after I spoke with Doha following the Israeli attacks that killed two members of the family and wounded three others. She called me again to let me know things were better. They were getting help, financial assistance, shelter, food, medical care, and so on, and it struck me as entirely ironic where all that help was coming from. It wasn’t the UN, Israel, America, or anyone else in the West, and that despite our having witnessed the total devastation visited upon the Lebanese people and their country. I found it shameful, but eventually I was uncertain as to whether this would result in more accusations of me being anti-Israel and pro-terrorism. Nothing could be further from the truth, mind you, but I’ve been more sensitive to the personal attacks over the last few months as they’ve increased (and not just regarding the Israel/Hezb’Allah conflict). I keep much of that flaming off of the site; that does not spare me from having to deal with it, though.
Anyway, this is part of my phone conversation with her. It is only a small portion of the call.
“Who’s providing medical care?” I asked with great concern. Several in the family were hurt during the Israeli attacks, so I felt great compassion in wanting to know if they were receiving any care.
“Hezb’Allah is caring for us,” she responded. “They are providing medicine, doctors, a place to sleep, food, transportation, and even money to help rebuild our home.”
“I saw a news report that said something like that. I wish the West was doing more, but at least you’re getting help.”
“Not just us, and not just that kind of help,” she continued. “Hezb’Allah cleans the debris from the attacks, helps the businesses, does the rebuilding…”
I listened intently as she talked with great joy about the assistance they were receiving. It bothered me that Hezb’Allah seemed to be the only group on the ground with the resources and willingness to help. Unfortunately, that’s the side of the conflict our nation seems to ignore most: Israel does the damage, America lets it happen, and no one tries to help except “the enemy”. How distressing, yet how predictable.
Hezb’Allah wins the war. While the West claims superior morality, terrorist organizations prove we are wrong. This is how we’ve empowered them, this is how we’ve strengthened their position, this is how we helped them win.
When it comes to the question of helping those hurt and displaced by Israel’s war, it’s Hezb’Allah that is far ahead of the game. Sure, they’re working with a blank check from Iran, but that’s not the point, is it?
Although it was to be included in the original post, let me at least mention that Doha, Bash, and Hassan are all doing fine. None of them suffered any permanent injury (even Hassan’s eye is okay after the shrapnel was removed, and Bash’s head and leg wounds were less serious than they appeared in the middle of the attack). There is always that to be thankful for in all of this, and the family knows that despite the loss of Mirvat and Hani.