Sheikh Qassem Rejects Washington Declaration, Calls Direct Talks a ‘Farce and Humiliation’
Hezbollah chief says the Washington Declaration aims to force Lebanon’s submission, rejects disarming the Resistance, and condemns direct talks with Israel.
Lebanon, PUREWILAYAH.COM — Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem sharply rejected the Washington Declaration, describing it as a framework designed to advance American and Israeli objectives in Lebanon while placing increasing pressure on the Resistance.
In a statement issued on the anniversary of the passing of Imam Khomeini, the Hezbollah leader said Washington and Tel Aviv were attempting to achieve through direct negotiations what they had failed to achieve through military confrontation.
According to the Secretary-General, the Washington Declaration is the product of what he described as “futile, humiliating, and disgraceful” negotiations that have been widely rejected by large segments of Lebanese society.
“The result of the futile, humiliating, and disgraceful direct negotiations imposed on Lebanon has been the Washington Declaration, which outlines the fundamental principles through which America and Israel seek Lebanon’s submission to the Greater Israel project,” he said.
Washington Declaration and Pressure on the Resistance
Much of the statement focused on the declaration’s approach toward Hezbollah and the future of the Resistance in Lebanon.
The Resistance leader argued that making the disarmament of Hezbollah the starting point of any agreement would strip Lebanon of its ability to defend itself and leave the country vulnerable to further Israeli pressure.
“To make the disarmament of the Resistance the primary objective and starting point of any agreement means eliminating Lebanon’s strength and posing an existential threat aimed at annihilating its resistant people.”
He warned that the declaration goes far beyond political arrangements and represents an attempt to reshape Lebanon’s future in accordance with Israeli interests.
In one of the strongest passages of the statement, the Hezbollah Secretary-General described the declaration as “a roadmap for the extermination of one segment of the Lebanese people and the enslavement of the rest.”
He also dismissed the notion that Israel could obtain through diplomacy what it failed to secure on the battlefield.
“Israel will not obtain through politics what it failed to achieve through war.”
Call for Lebanon to End Direct Negotiations
The Hezbollah leader reserved some of his sharpest criticism for the direct negotiation process itself, calling on Lebanese authorities to abandon the current track and instead focus on protecting national sovereignty.
“We call on officials to put an end to this farce and humiliation known as direct negotiations.”
He argued that Lebanon would be in a stronger position if its leaders rallied the country around a sovereign national strategy rather than pursuing negotiations that, in his view, primarily serve Israeli interests.
The remarks also reflected growing opposition within Resistance circles to attempts by foreign actors to shape Lebanon’s internal political and security arrangements.
No Ceasefire Formula Based on Disarming the Resistance
Reaffirming Hezbollah’s position, the Secretary-General said the movement remains focused on three objectives: ending Israeli aggression, achieving a comprehensive ceasefire, and securing Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanese territory.
“We are concerned only with ending the comprehensive aggression, achieving a ceasefire, and securing Israel’s withdrawal.”
He rejected efforts to link the existence of the Resistance or its weapons to discussions surrounding a ceasefire, insisting that Israeli occupation and aggression remain the central issues.
“We reject any linkage between the existence of the Resistance and the cessation of aggression or the withdrawal of Israel.”
The Hezbollah leader also stressed that no commitment had been given to halt resistance operations while attacks on Lebanon continue.
“We have given no commitment to anyone that we would refrain from resisting aggression and responding to it.”
As long as Lebanese villages remain under attack, he warned, confrontation will continue.
“As long as our villages remain unsafe, bombed and destroyed, and our people are being killed, the settlements will not be safe.”
The statement concluded with a call for national unity in confronting Israeli aggression and a renewed expression of confidence in the eventual victory of the Resistance.
Full Text of the Statement by Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem
In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
Praise be to Allah, who sent to us the Prophets, foremost among them the Messenger of Allah Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family), with guidance and the religion of truth; and after him the infallible, pure, and righteous Imams of guidance; followed by the chosen righteous companions and the godly scholars, so that all of them may serve as standards of righteousness and integrity and as role models for humanity.
First:
A salute of reverence and admiration to the late great Imam Khomeini, the reviver of religion and the destroyer of the tyranny of the arrogant powers.
Allah blessed humanity through the rise of Imam Khomeini’s movement and his divine revolution in Iran, at a time when America dominated Iran and its resources and exercised colonial control over many countries in our region and throughout the world with oppression and injustice, while the Soviet Union controlled another part of the world.
This revolution emerged from an Islamic and divine foundation based on the principles of truth, justice, independence, freedom of choice, Islamic unity, respect for human dignity, resistance to oppression and occupation, and support for the oppressed throughout the world. It established the system of the Islamic Republic of Iran through a popular referendum, drafted its constitution and laws, and declared that it would be neither Eastern nor Western.
Imam Khomeini, from the standpoint of religion and intellectual and cultural choice, represents one of the manifestations of the divine path for all humanity, for those who choose the way of upright and just human life. Therefore, many popular groups around the world hastened to embrace his leadership and his faithful, divine vision. This is a legitimate right, especially when compared with other intellectual, materialist, or hostile alternatives.
Neither the West nor the East allowed Iran to enjoy peace in carrying out its political experiment under the leadership of Imam Khomeini. The arrogant powers waged an eight-year war against Iran through Saddam’s Iraq, mobilizing global and regional forces to overthrow the Islamic Republic. The Islamic Republic faced this war through the sacrifices of millions, enduring economic and international sanctions with the steadfastness of its leadership, people, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, army, commanders, and elites.
Despite all the difficulties and challenges, Iran advanced on every level. It supported liberation movements and the front of truth while refraining from interfering in the affairs of others. Among its most noble and distinguished positions was its support for the Palestinian people in liberating their land and Al-Quds, as well as its support for resistance movements against the criminal Israeli occupation, which constitutes a danger to the entire region and indeed to the whole world.
Imam Khomeini stands as a model of a divine leader defending truth and human dignity. In contrast stand the tyrants of America, Israel, and others, who have spread wars, chaos, crime, and the extermination of children, women, agriculture, and future generations across the world. Gaza is a glaring example before the eyes of the world every day. Whom shall we choose for dignity, human honor, and righteousness? We are proud and endlessly grateful to Allah that we followed Imam Khomeini in our way of life and in our support for truth and steadfastness.
Why have America, the West, and their followers fought Iran for forty-seven years? Why do they impose sanctions on it? Why do they seek to prevent it from possessing defensive capabilities, which are a legitimate right of every state? Why do they seek to prevent it from enriching uranium for peaceful purposes, which is permitted under international law?
The answer is clear: they do not accept Iran as a model of integrity, justice, and independence. They want it to be subordinate and employed in service of their interests and tyranny.
America and the Israeli entity launched two wars against Iran. They assassinated the godly leader Imam Khamenei (may Allah sanctify his secret), along with a number of military, political, and nuclear leaders. They killed civilians and children in their schools and destroyed civilian facilities—an act of clear injustice and aggression before the eyes of the world—in an attempt to topple the system and seize control of Iran.
But they have not succeeded and will not succeed against this great Khomeinist people, who were raised upon the path of Imam Husayn, sacrifice, and selflessness, and who, God willing, continue to shine under the leadership of the righteous successor, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei (may Allah prolong his shadow).
The Resistance in Lebanon drew inspiration from the methodology and thought of Imam Khomeini in order to liberate the land from the usurping enemy in the region. Yet we fight for our land and our people because of our obedience to our Lord, so that we are not servants of anyone and so that future generations may live independently in their homeland alongside their fellow citizens.
This Resistance is the planting of Imam Musa al-Sadr (may Allah return him safely) and the path of the Master of the Martyrs of the Ummah, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah (may Allah be pleased with him). It is allied with political forces and people from various backgrounds who believe in the Resistance and offer sacrifices for its cause.
Second:
On the anniversary of the passing of Imam Khomeini, which coincides with Eid al-Ghadir and the Wilayah of Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (peace be upon him), the pioneer of justice and the supporter of truth, we review our political situation in light of these noble occasions in order to affirm the path of authenticity and truth.
We thank Iran for helping us reclaim our land and rights in confronting Israeli-American aggression despite the major confrontations it faces. It is also working to establish a cessation of aggression and a comprehensive ceasefire in Lebanon as part of ending the aggression against Iran.
The result of the futile, humiliating, and disgraceful direct negotiations imposed on Lebanon, which are entirely rejected by broad segments of the Lebanese people, has been the Washington Declaration, which outlines the basic principles through which America and Israel seek Lebanon’s submission to the Greater Israel project.
To make the disarmament of the Resistance the primary objective and starting point of any agreement means eliminating Lebanon’s strength, posing an existential threat aimed at annihilating its resistant people. It is a declaration to destroy Lebanon, destabilize it, and create strife among the Lebanese for the benefit of Israel, allowing Israel to obtain through politics what it failed to achieve through war.
This is impossible for anyone who seeks dignity, honor, and the preservation of the blood of the martyrs, the wounded, the prisoners, and this great sacrificing people. We are not among those who betray the trust of the martyrs, the land, and the future of generations.
The declaration is a roadmap for the extermination of one segment of the Lebanese people and the enslavement of the rest.
To pursue a security track under the slogan of an illusory ceasefire, interpreted as Hezbollah ceasing fire and Resistance fighters abandoning the southern front while aggression continues and military pressure persists, is surrender, defeat, and the fulfillment of the enemy’s objectives. It is like Satan dreaming of entering Paradise.
We are concerned only with ending the comprehensive aggression, achieving a ceasefire, and securing Israel’s withdrawal.
The ceasefire must be comprehensive. There can be no separation between the South and the rest of Lebanon, nor can there be freedom for the Israeli enemy to continue killing in Lebanon. As long as the occupation exists, the Resistance will continue.
We have given no commitment to anyone that we would refrain from resisting aggression and responding to it. As long as the aggression continues, we will confront it with all the strength at our disposal, and we will strike it wherever we decide and are able.
As long as our villages remain unsafe, bombed and destroyed, and our people are being killed, the settlements will not be safe. They shall witness our strength and determination. The killers of the Prophets will not settle upon our land. We will fight the invaders until we expel them from our land and end their aggression, relying on Allah’s help and support, the bravery of the heroic Resistance fighters, the steadfast backing of our exceptional people who have offered great sacrifices, and the ever-burning legacy of the blood of the martyrs.
Allah Almighty said:
“And do not weaken in pursuit of the enemy. If you suffer, they too suffer as you suffer, but you hope from Allah what they do not hope. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.” (Surah An-Nisa, 4:104)
We are confident in the victory of this Husayni Resistance: “And it was incumbent upon Us to support the believers.”
The primary objective must be Lebanon’s sovereignty. This can only be achieved through the exclusive solution of ending Israeli aggression against Lebanon in all its forms—by air, land, and sea—securing Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanese territory, deploying the Lebanese Army south of the Litani River, freeing the prisoners, enabling people to return to all their villages, and rebuilding what has been destroyed.
We reject any linkage between the existence of the Resistance and the cessation of aggression or the withdrawal of Israel.
No one has the right to interfere in Lebanon’s internal affairs or in the arrangements made by the Lebanese among themselves regarding their political, economic, and social life, or the decisions they reach concerning their sovereignty and protection within a national security strategy upon which they agree.
We remain committed to national unity in confronting aggression, for it is a source of strength for all of us.
We hold the authorities responsible for fulfilling their duties and addressing the internal Lebanese divisions caused by political choices that do not represent the national consensus of Lebanon’s components, nor the principles of the constitution and the formula of coexistence.
The authorities are responsible for initiating measures and dialogue that unite the Lebanese in confronting Israeli aggression against our country, for this aggression targets all of us.
It is more appropriate for the people of the country to reach an understanding in confronting aggression first, and then address our internal issues under the framework of the constitution, the Taif Agreement, national unity, and coexistence.
We call on officials to put an end to this farce and humiliation known as direct negotiations, so that they may become stronger through the unity of all their people around the choice of a sovereign state under their leadership—a state to which the enemies will inevitably submit.
Source: Hezbollah Media Relations