Iranian flag joins array of enemy symbols planted on Lebanon … – The Jerusalem Post
Lebanon seems to be having a flag sale.
Iranian flags, Hezbollah, UN, Spanish, Palestinian flags. They are all flying provocatively along the border with the northern Israeli community of Metulla.
Meters from the fence that separates the countries, not far from the site of a 1985 terrorist attack, Hezbollah has festooned the roads with signs of its presence. Its purposely done so Israeli residents can see the flags and the billboards next to them. In Metulla there is a memorial for the 12 Israeli soldiers killed in the March 10, 1985, suicide bombing, while just across the border a huge billboard celebrates the massacre.
I spent Tuesday touring the Lebanese and Syrian borders to see the tense situation in the north of the country. The flags across the border seemed representative of the situation that prevails today. Next to the Hezbollah flags is a small post that has a UN logo. Near it the Amal Shia Lebanese movement has erected a large banner reading To he of pure hands and a generous soul, thank you Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri.
(Berri is also the leader of Amal.) On the banner is the Iranian flag. Here is a visible presence of Iran just a stones throw from Israel. Its not the only Iranian symbol here.
On a hill overlooking houses being constructed in Metulla is another huge poster with a photo of the Dome of the Rock. The face of Ayatollah Khomeini glowers down over the dome and Hezbollah has written: We are coming in Hebrew and Arabic.
Theyve put a giant Palestinian flag next to the poster. The message is clear, and disconcerting.
Here is Iran glowering down on Israel from the north. As we toured the border area with Lt.-Col. (res.) Sarit Zehavi, the head of Alma, an organization that gives briefings on Israels security challenges on the northern border, what should be a tense situation seemed quiet. This area has known war for many years. There is a British police fort from the 1930s, when terrorists also struck at Jewish communities. Zehavi stresses that the situation along the Lebanese border has not affected tourism or housing prices, and the new construction is evidence of that.
Living with the Iranian threat is not a new phenomenon, but it is an increasingly complex one because of the Syrian civil war. Tehran is reaching a peak of influence and power in the region. Its tentacles stretch across Syria and Iraq, and Hezbollah is emboldened.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah boasts of bringing thousands of foreign fighters to help him attack Israel. He sees Shiites from Afghanistan and Pakistan and Yemen joining the assault. Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei tweeted on Monday that today the fight against Zionist regime is wajib [obligatory] and necessary for Muslims. Why do some evade this duty? He also claimed: Palestine is the No. 1 issue of the Islamic world. From his 300,000 followers on his English language page, he only got several hundred likes on his statements.
So, is the relative quiet in northern Israel illusory? Are the Iranian flags just meant to intimidate and sow fear, or are they a sign of a much deeper problem to be taken seriously? The feeling one gets as a visitor is that of a kind of mirage. There is Hezbollah, a vicious, dangerous terrorist group with more than 100,000 rockets, a few hundred meters away, but familiarity breeds a bit of contempt. The first time you see the flags its surprising. The second time, interesting. The third time, boring.
The flags are just the visible expression of what goes on quietly in villages over the border, and of what Hezbollahs Iranian masters sitting 1,500 kilometers away are thinking. Theyd like to boast of conquering Jerusalem or show some murderous and symbolic attack against Israel. But traversing the border, in the shadow of the flags, is the Israeli army, its Humvees and other vehicles, watching for threats.
Share on facebook
More here:
Iranian flag joins array of enemy symbols planted on Lebanon ... - The Jerusalem Post
- 2 IDF reservists, one of them in Iron Dome unit, arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran - The Times of Israel - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- On GPS: Is Iran weaker than ever? - CNN - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Bolton: there is no question in my mind Iran may take action against me - MSNBC - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Is Iran inching closer to recognizing Taliban rule in Afghanistan? - Amwaj.media - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Online gold platforms thrive in Iran as economic pressures mount - - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Who is John Ratcliffe, the Iran hawk heading the CIA? - - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Iran says weighing Trump factor, insists on nuclear talks only | Iran International - - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- 2 IDF reservists, one of them from Iron Dome unit, arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran - The Times of Israel - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Iran's judiciary denies release of convicted tycoon Babak Zanjani - - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Israel boosts F-16s with $80M upgrades amid rising tensions with Iran - The Jerusalem Post - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- US ties crucial for Iraq, separate from relations with Iran, says Iraqi FM - Kurdistan24 - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Trump urged to rethink nixing security for US ex-officials under threat from Iran - The Times of Israel - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Iraq Is a Key Test of Trump's Willingness to Counter Iran - Business Insider - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- In Iran, One-Third of Patients Refrain from Purchasing Medication - Iran Focus - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Iran News: Iranian Arms Smuggling to Hezbollah Disrupted Amid Growing Tensions in Syria - National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- BCFIF Calls on UK to Act Against Imminent Executions of Political Prisoners in Iran - Iran News Update - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Trump Revokes Security Detail for Pompeo and Others, Despite Threats From Iran - The New York Times - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- How Iran Lost Before It Lost: The Roll Back of Its Gray Zone Strategy - War On The Rocks - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- Iran's foreign minister meets the Taliban in the first visit to Kabul in 8 years - ABC News - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- Iran Review - 48th Session of Universal Periodic Review - Welcome to the United Nations - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- New Russia-Iran Treaty Reveals the Limits of Their Partnership - Carnegie Endowment for International Peace - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- How quickly could Iran build its first nuclear weapon? Look at China - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- Mastermind of Iran's US influence effort appointed head of ministry think tank - - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- Iran is 'pressing the gas pedal' on uranium enrichment, IAEA chief says - Reuters - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- Trump said set to appoint Steve Witkoff to manage Iran nuclear file - The Times of Israel - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- Donald Trump ("Abu Ivanka") and the Gulf States Vs. Iran - The Globalist - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- Trump to appoint Steve Witkoff as Iran envoy: Report - Anadolu Agency | English - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- Trump says Iran deal would be 'really nice', bucks hawks - The New Arab - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- Trump says he hopes not to have to support Israeli attack on Iran - - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Trump: Would be nice to solve problems with Iran without Israeli strikes - The Times of Israel - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- From Iran to European nations: What does the world expect from Trump? - Israel Hayom - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- The Farda Briefing: Iran Talks Tough But Signals Openness For Negotiations With U.S. - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- What a Secretary of State Rubio means for the Middle East: Getting tougher on Iran and tighter with allies - Atlantic Council - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Trump revokes protections for former Secretary of State Pompeo and top aide threatened by Iran - The Associated Press - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- UN chief Guterres calls on Iran to renounce nuclear weapons - Reuters - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Davos- Iran's Zarif says he hopes Trump will choose 'rationality' - Reuters - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Conscience Held Captive: The State of Religious Minorities in Iran - IranWire | - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Trump will seek snapback of UN sanctions on Iran, Rubio says - - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Trump says hes hopeful Iran deal can be reached without Israeli military strike on nuclear program - All Israel News - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Trump has few good options to prevent Iran from building a nuclear bomb - The Conversation - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Italian journalist detained in Iran says she expected to be held longer and praises Musk's role - The Associated Press - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Why Russia and Iran signed a new 'strategic partnership' - Le Monde - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Iran and Russia deepen cyber ties with new agreement - The Record from Recorded Future News - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Saudi FM says Trump presidency doesnt raise risk of Iran-Israel war - The Times of Israel - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Over 1,000 tons of missile fuel chemicals head for Iran from China report - The Jerusalem Post - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Iran says it hopes Trump will take realistic approach, show respect to Mideast - The Times of Israel - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Trump ends Secret Service protection for John Bolton as Iran threat persists - WBAL TV Baltimore - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- How Iran Lost Before It Lost - RealClearWorld - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- The alliance of outcasts: Closer ties between Russia and Iran bring benefits and new enemies for both nations - The Insider - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Trump revokes security detail for Mike Pompeo, years after Iran threatened to kill the then-secretary of State - New York Post - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Trumps Iran Policy Puts Focus on $30 Billion-a-Year Oil Revenue - Bloomberg - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Iran unveils new underground naval base amid tension with US and Israel - Reuters - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Iran pushing for better ties with Azerbaijan: Why and how? - analysis - The Jerusalem Post - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Trump fires his former Iran envoy Brian Hook on first day | Iran International - - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Interpreting the 20-year military pact between Russia & Iran - Responsible Statecraft - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Russia and Iran have a troubled history despite their current alliance - The Associated Press - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Trump: 'It Would Be Really Nice' if Iran Issues Could Be Worked Out Without Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites - Haaretz - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Trump to appoint Mideast envoy Witkoff to handle the Iran portfolio - Ynetnews - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Musk Said to Have Intervened to Help Free Italian Jailed in Iran - The New York Times - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Iran calls pending Gaza deal a defeat for Israel, as leaders worldwide welcome pact - The Times of Israel - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Russia and Iran sign cooperation treaty days before Trump's inauguration - Euronews - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Putin and Iran's president sign 20-year treaty, strengthening ties - CBS News - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Making Iran Choose Between the Bomb and Bankruptcy - The Washington Institute - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Iran unveils underground naval base as it seeks to counter Israeli threat - Sky News - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Russia's Strategic Treaty With Iran May Have Nuclear Angle - Newsweek - January 13th, 2025 [January 13th, 2025]
- Russia and Iran to sign partnership treaty this week - POLITICO Europe - January 13th, 2025 [January 13th, 2025]
- Iran, already on the defensive, braces for second Trump term - The Washington Post - January 13th, 2025 [January 13th, 2025]
- Russia says Iran's president will visit this week and sign a partnership pact with Putin - ABC News - January 13th, 2025 [January 13th, 2025]
- Reform is Happening in Iran and Assads Fall Could Accelerate It - Stimson Center - January 13th, 2025 [January 13th, 2025]
- Iran welcomes return of national held in Italy in spat involving the US - Al Jazeera English - January 13th, 2025 [January 13th, 2025]
- Iran holding war games as it faces Israel tensions, Trump's return - Reuters - January 13th, 2025 [January 13th, 2025]
- Iran, European powers hold third round of nuclear talks in Geneva - - January 13th, 2025 [January 13th, 2025]
- Will Iran build a nuclear bomb while Trump is in power in the US? - Al Jazeera English - January 13th, 2025 [January 13th, 2025]
- Iran nuclear talks resume ahead of Trump's return: What's at stake? - Perspective - FRANCE 24 English - January 13th, 2025 [January 13th, 2025]
- Iran Gets Major Drone Boost Amid Growing Tensions With Israel - Newsweek - January 13th, 2025 [January 13th, 2025]
- Frenchman held in Iran since 2022 reveals identity in audio message - FRANCE 24 English - January 13th, 2025 [January 13th, 2025]
- Trump Urged to Reapply Maximum Pressure on Iran in New Strategic Blueprint - BTW21 - January 13th, 2025 [January 13th, 2025]
- Iran expands military drills to two more nuclear sites in countrys west and center - The Times of Israel - January 13th, 2025 [January 13th, 2025]
- Germany welcomes release of German-Iranian rights activist from prison in Iran and her return home - Yahoo! Voices - January 13th, 2025 [January 13th, 2025]
- Opinion | Iran is weak, and should be ready to negotiate - The Washington Post - January 13th, 2025 [January 13th, 2025]