Al-Qassem Is Fading Away
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem faced widespread ridicule in Lebanon after his speech included a fabricated quote from an "Israeli spiritual figure" named Moshe Yair. The US responded sharply, stating that Qassem takes orders from Iran. Lebanese officials discussed the possibility of replacing him.
Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem faced widespread criticism and ridicule in Lebanon following his latest speech, in which he quoted an "Israeli spiritual figure" named Moshe Yair, who he claimed published an article in Yedioth Ahronoth and praised the Lebanese delegation to talks with Israel in Washington and Rome. Qassem waved a paper to imply he was quoting from an article, and claimed that the delegation serves Israeli interests, and that the head of the delegation, Ambassador Nada Maawad, is an American citizen. He also said that the framework agreement was "written in Israeli ink" and would turn Lebanon into a protectorate state. The US responded sharply, with the State Department stating that Qassem takes orders from Iran and that Hezbollah is the main obstacle to Lebanon's economy. The Lebanese channel Al-Jadeed, owned by businessman Tahseen Khayat, attacked Qassem with ridicule, and presenter Dima Sadek stated that there is no Israeli spiritual figure named Moshe Yair. Senior Lebanese officials said that contacts are underway to replace Qassem, who knows that he has "finished his horse".