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Edited by: Fern Sidman
While many around the world welcomed the elimination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, a terrorist responsible for countless deaths, not all reactions were celebratory. In a highly controversial move, some major Western media outlets, including The Washington Post and The New York Times, have come under fire for their sympathetic portrayal of Nasrallah following his death.
The Washington Post referred to Nasrallah as “a father figure, a moral compass,” drawing sharp criticism from observers who point out the absurdity of characterizing a man responsible for decades of terror in such glowing terms. Meanwhile, The New York Times described Nasrallah as “a revered Shiite Muslim cleric,” a description that has sparked outrage among many who view this as an attempt to downplay his role in directing violent attacks that have killed Jews, Americans, and many others.
“A father figure, a moral compass.”
Yes, that is how @washingtonpost described the the mass murderer and arch-terrorist, Hassan Nasrallah.
Simply unconscionable and inexcusable. pic.twitter.com/aZHFwNflB6
— Arsen Ostrovsky 🎗️ (@Ostrov_A) September 29, 2024
The far-left Guardian of the UK called Nasrallah, “A qualified Islamic scholar, effective public speaker and competent organiser.”
The discrepancy between Nasrallah’s brutal legacy and the tone of these media reports underscores a larger issue in how terrorist figures are framed in global discourse. For those who have lost loved ones to Hezbollah’s bombs, missiles, and assassinations, such portrayals are deeply offensive and seem to erase the trauma inflicted by the group under Nasrallah’s direction.
Despite the media calling Hassan Nasrallah “a father figure, moral compass & a political guide” or “Charismatic and Shrewd…”
Nasrallah was not just crucial in assisting during the Iranian revolution and Hezbollah was not established to “fight Israel’s occupation”,; its… pic.twitter.com/KvSgJbu299
— Leslie Kajomovitz (@lkajomovitz) September 28, 2024
These media descriptions also fuel broader concerns about the disconnect between Western media narratives and the reality of terrorism in the Middle East. Critics argue that by failing to acknowledge the full extent of Nasrallah’s crimes, these outlets risk romanticizing a figure whose legacy is steeped in bloodshed and destruction.
Since its inception in 1982, Hezbollah has been one of the most dangerous and deadly terrorist organizations in the world. Born out of the chaos of the Lebanese Civil War and deeply connected to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, Hezbollah has long held an anti-Israel and anti-Western stance. Under Nasrallah’s leadership, which began in 1992 after the assassination of Abbas al-Musawi, Hezbollah expanded its operations, making it a major player not only in Lebanon’s politics but also in the wider Middle Eastern geopolitical landscape.
“Contrary to what some French media say, Nasrallah was a terrorist who had blood on his hands. He was also at the head of a drug and pimping network”
Matthias Inbar (@MatthiasInbar) security specialist https://t.co/LRn3m0fp5v
— Elyon-Noah P. Saidi (@PstPolydorSaidi) September 29, 2024
Hezbollah’s list of atrocities is extensive. It is responsible for numerous attacks on Israeli civilians and soldiers, as well as international terrorist operations targeting Americans, Jews, and Western interests across the globe. From the 1983 bombings of the U.S. Embassy and Marine barracks in Beirut that killed over 300 people to the bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires in 1994, Hezbollah’s bloody campaign has left a deep scar on multiple continents.
Nasrallah’s leadership cemented Hezbollah’s global terror operations. Under his command, the group built a sophisticated military apparatus in southern Lebanon, amassed a vast arsenal of rockets aimed at Israel, and established cells in various countries to conduct terrorist operations. For decades, Nasrallah and his followers waged war not just against Israel but also against anyone they deemed a threat to their vision of Islamic resistance.
The group’s primary targets, however, have been Israelis and Jews, both at home and abroad. In 2006, Hezbollah’s kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers sparked the Second Lebanon War, which saw thousands of rockets rain down on northern Israel, killing civilians and displacing hundreds of thousands. Hezbollah’s reach extended beyond the battlefield. They were involved in bombings, abductions, and assassinations worldwide, particularly targeting Jewish and Israeli civilians.
Après les propos abjectes du @lemondefr banalisant le terroriste Hassan Nasrallah
on s’aperçoit que « the guardian » fait la même chose. Cette volonté de normalisation de l’immonde est déroutante. pic.twitter.com/vvrLaCYSHN— FredBernard (@FredBer34570) September 29, 2024
Ali Karki, the commander of Hezbollah’s Southern Front, was another key figure in the organization’s military structure, responsible for overseeing attacks against Israel from the Lebanese border. His death, alongside Nasrallah, significantly disrupts Hezbollah’s command chain and operational capabilities in the region.
Nasrallah’s death opens the door to a new chapter in Hezbollah’s history. Without its charismatic leader, the organization may face internal divisions and leadership struggles. Hezbollah’s deep-rooted ties to Iran and its ideological commitment to resistance against Israel suggest that it will continue to operate, but it is unclear whether Nasrallah’s successor will command the same level of authority and respect.
Why do the Guardian and the Ayatollah have the same eulogy for Hassan Nasrallah?
Legacy media is trash. pic.twitter.com/ZCH5gyi219
— The Persian Jewess (@persianjewess) September 29, 2024
Furthermore, the loss of key military figures like Ali Karki may leave Hezbollah vulnerable in the short term, especially if Israel continues its campaign against the group. Nasrallah’s death may also embolden Israel’s efforts to neutralize Hezbollah’s military threat, possibly leading to increased conflict in the already volatile border region.
The elimination of Hassan Nasrallah and other Hezbollah commanders represents a major victory in Israel’s ongoing battle against terrorism. For decades, Nasrallah was a symbol of Hezbollah’s violence and terror, orchestrating attacks that claimed the lives of countless civilians across the globe. Yet, the differing reactions to his death, particularly from Western media outlets, reveal a troubling gap in how terrorism is perceived and reported.
For Israel, the death of Nasrallah is a critical step in ensuring the security of its citizens, but the fight against Hezbollah is far from over. As the group navigates the loss of its longtime leader, the region must prepare for the possible repercussions. The question remains whether Hezbollah will be able to recover from the decapitation of its leadership or if this marks the beginning of the end for one of the world’s most infamous terrorist organizations.
