Na-am’s Imad Atalla

What interested you in Lebanese civil society in the first place?

Imad Atalla: It is a question of being a constructive member of the group or the community. This is a matter of necessary civic duty: nourishing, influencing, enriching and benefiting from one's immediate environment within the conditions of upholding the law and seeking truth… Sadly enough, in the context of socio-economic activism, Lebanese society in general is caught in a great momentum of communal mediocrity. As a people theoretically bound by a social contract, we collectively serve the great role of being our own enemies, working against our own interests in the process. From average person to voter to elected representative to self-coroneted leader, the Lebanese are too casual about the truth. The result is a breakdown in public affairs, and law and order. Here I am not necessarily referring to big-scheme politics; I care not for the travails of Saad [Hariri], Nabih [Berri], Samir [Geagea], Michel [Aoun], Hassan [Nasrallah], [Michel] Sleiman, Amin [Gemayel], Walid [Jumblatt] and the garden variety among so-called Lebanese leaders. Instead, I am talking about good governance and basic constructive administration…of the building where one lives, the street, the neighborhood, the public space, the municipality and government agencies as providers of services, the parliament as representative of voter interests, etc.

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Re-branding

To state the obvious, there is a disconnect between Hezbollah and rest of the Lebanese society, which HA claims to defend and protect.

All are aware and impressed by Hezbollah's ability to quickly adapt its military capabilities to all challenges offered by the Enemy. This ability we can all commend & appreciate. They may know and read the ground better than most when it comes to defending the homeland. Never the less, it is imperative for the leadership of Hezbollah to readjust their domestic strategy to reconnect with rest of society.

For the well being and longevity of the party, and more importantly for all the residents of South Lebanon, Hezbollah's long term strategy is to quickly adapt to the new Lebanese realities as a whole.

One strategy is by bringing on board within its Leadership ranks prominent Individuals/Organizers from all sectors of society (Future, Kateab, Ouwet, Armenians) into the Hezbollah fold to improve its standing with all respective communities. Not just provide lip service of course, but sincere rapprochement.

If HA has intentions of being true representative of Lebanese society, a true defender of the people and the land, and to earn the respected of people from every community, they need to draft with their partners throughout Lebanon a new all inclusive referendum of understanding. They must slowly but surely shed their Iranian skin and embrace their own reality & nature which is Lebanese in essence.

None of this Wilayet al Faqih business and None of this childish: by Soul/Blood we sacrifice for Bashar. After all, all parties want better relations with Syria/Iran/KSA and everyone else as long as the benefits are mutual.

Re-branding should be considered. Instead of the Islamic Resistance, a new declaration known as the Lebanese Resistance will definitely go a long way with everyone. Instead of Party of god, Party of Seculars...whatever, as long as god stays out of the National Interests. With some re-adjustments of slogans and flags, all parties can reach a harmonious synthesis.

& then I wake up....