Hezbollah is a fascistic, sectarian organization

To win this debate, Pro needs to prove that Hezbollah is a fascistic, sectarian organization. This can be done in two ways:1. Pro needs to show that there is something in the nature of the organization of Hezbollah that is fascistic and sectarian. For example, Pro needs to show that the organization's mission statement, goals and funding, speeches, structure etc. are inherently fascistic and sectarian. He has not done this so far. In fact, the evidence shows quite the opposite (see below).2. If Pro wants to base his argument on evidence of individual Hezbollah members behaving in a consistently fascistic and sectarian way, then he needs to provide evidence that the average Hezbollah member is significantly more fascistic and sectarian than any other Lebanese national. Further, if he is able to demonstrate this (and he has yet to make any move to do so), he must show that it is not some random and temporary phenomenon, but that Hezbollah, the organization, is structured to actively recruit and keep fascistic members in preference to other types of people. If he doesn't provide this evidence, then there is no reason to link any of the behavior of Hezbollah members with the organization. If certain people are behaving fascistically, there's as much reason to blame it on their sex, nationality and religion as their membership of a political party.Hezbollah the organization: neither sectarian nor fascisticWhen we look at official statements from Hezbollah, there is no evidence of fascism or sectarianism. Quite the opposite.This statement comes from the Hezbollah Press Office, in relation to the aims and background of the movement:"Hizbullah observes the creed of the genuine Muhammadan Islam and the ... ideological conviction that is established with proofs and evidence and does not originate from emotional liking or sectarian, denominational or racial group spirit. Since reason is the source of this observance, Hizbullah has always been ready to have dialogue with others over its convictions and creeds or even its method and positions: Hizbullah does not seek to impose its convictions on anyone... It is attached to have mutual understanding with others." (1)In a speech two months ago, Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah's leader, said, "No one can accuse us of being sectarian." He added, "We have fought in Bosnia, in defense of whom? In defense of the Sunnis. There are no Shiites in Bosnia." (2)Please compare this with Pro's source: an undated, unoffical video from at least 25 years ago, of Nasrallah before he became leader of Hezbollah (3). If Pro wants to prove that Hezbollah has sectarian motives, he needs evidence that is more recent and more relevant.*********************************************I will now rebut Pro's round 2 arguments. Pro has presented so much false and misleading information that I can't cover it all, due to word restrictions. I will address some of the main points here.No evidence for traitor principlePro claims that Hezbollah has an "either with me or a traitor" principle. I have been unable to find any evidence whatsoever for this claim.Pro claims that Hezbollah called Hashem Salman a "traitor". However, his source does not even once mention the word "traitor" (4) and nor does the MTV report (unsourced) the article was based on (5). It seems as if Pro has completely fabricated this, and he should either provide some evidence in the next round or withdraw his allegation.Pro also quoted Ibrahim Al-Amin who was interviewed on Al Manar. Ibrahim Al-Amin is a journalist and not a Hezbollah spokesman. Furthermore, it's clear from the interviewer's reaction (see photos below) that he regards Al-Amin's views as shocking, extreme and even slightly comical. In no way can the words of Al-Amin be taken to represent Hezbollah the organization. s://www.debate.org...; alt="" />Unsupported murder allegationsPro has named Hezbollah as responsible for the murders of Hassem Salman, Moustafa Geha (senior), and for the murder attempt of Moustafa Geha (junior). In fact, in none of these crimes have the gunmen been identified, there have been no arrests and certainly no convictions for these murders (6). Pro has stated his opinion, but it is no more than speculation at this point.Moustafa Geha (junior) has been very vocal in his claims that he was attacked by Hezbollah and that they killed his father too. He has provided no convincing evidence, and it must be noted that his claims coincided with his application to emigrate to Sweden. Under Swedish immigration regulations, to claim asylum, he must prove a well-founded fear of persecution due to his political or religious beliefs (7). Nobody can know what Geha truly believes except the man himself, of course, but he's not alone in wanting to leave Lebanon - 33% want to emigrate (8). In Sweden, the average income is five times that of Lebanon, and the average man can expect to live ten years longer (9,10).Cut off the hand: a common metaphorPro misrepresents Nasrallah as saying, "the hands that try to arrest any Hezbollah member must be cut off." Nasrallah was speaking in the context of a trial in absentia in the Netherlands - the procedure of which he objected to. He said, "Mistaken is the one who images that we will allow the arrest or detention of any or our Mujahideen. We will cut off the hand that tries to get them." (11) He was clearly speaking metaphorically.As Pro is no doubt aware, to "cut off the hand" is a common expression in Lebanon and the region. For example, last year an Egyptian official threatened to "cut off the hand" of any international body that entered Sinai (12). The President of Sudan said that "Sudan will cut of the hand that harms it" in relation to the conflict with South Sudan (13). And in 2006, more generally, the President of Iran said, "Iran will cut off the hand of any aggressor." (14) Hezbollah and SyriaPro claims that Hezbollah is fascistic because it is supporting a fascistic regime in Syria. By this logic, the US is an Islamic organization because it supports the Islamic rebels. In fact, in an interview with Julian Assange last year, Nasrallah was clear about Hezbollah's reluctance to get involved in Syria, in their unwavering preference for a political solution, and for the Syrian governments need for reform: "In principle, we don’t want to interfere in the internal affairs of Arab states. This has always been our policy. There are developments in the Arab world that have been very serious and very important to the extent that nobody – no movement, no party – can just not take a position regarding them... What we call for in Syria is dialogue and reform, and for the reforms to be carried out. Because the alternative to that - because of the diversity inside Syria, because of the sensitivities inside Syria – is to push Syria into civil war. "(15) (1) http://almashriq.hiof.no... (2) http://english.alahednews.com.lb... (3) youtube.com/watch?v=yIGxYa_-59w‎(4) yalibnan.com/2013/06/11/lebanese-leaders-condemn-the-killing-of-hashem-salman/(5) http://mtv.com.lb... (6) http://www.naharnet.com...(7) http://www.migrationsverket.se...(8) http://english.al-akhbar.com... (9) http://data.un.org... (10) http://data.un.org... (11) http://www.thefreelibrary.com...(12) http://www.thecominganarchy.com...(13) http://www.thenational.ae...(14) http://www.thefreelibrary.com... (15) http://english.alahednews.com.lb...