Lebanese Pro-Hizbullah Academic Sheikh Sadek Al-Naboulsi: Smuggling Across Lebanon-Syria Border – A Legitimate Act Of Resistance

Lebanese political science professor Sheikh Sadek Al-Naboulsi, who is affiliated with Hizbullah, said that he hopes Lebanese and Syrians will be able to undo the American economic pressure and sanctions by cooperating with countries such as Russia and China. He made these remarks in an interview that aired on OTV (Lebanon) on April 16, 2021. Al-Naboulsi said that Western powers were forced to shift towards economic sanctions and pressure due to the failure of their military endeavors in Syria. He added that Syrians and Lebanese are driven to breaking the laws and smuggling in their basic needs due to American economic pressure, and this is considered a form of resistance. For more information about Al-Naboulsi, see MEMRI TV clips nos. 8053, 7834, and 7157.

Sheikh Sadek Al-Naboulsi: "I have no doubt that the shift from military pressure to economic pressure was caused by the failure of [the West's] military endeavor in Syria. Today, we and Syria are facing a new kind of war. Our hope is to undo this economic siege by means of cooperation with globally influential countries, and particularly, Russia and China."

Interviewer: "In this context, Hizbullah considers the act of smuggling to be legitimate."

Al-Naboulsi: "Absolutely. Absolutely. Smuggling is an integral part of the resistance, and the defense of the interests of the Lebanese. Today, as a result of the American pressure and sanctions, the Lebanese and Syrians have no choice but to cross the border, to break some laws, in order to secure their basic needs."