“This is explicit blackmail”

Abdul Rahman Al Rashed on Hezbollah’s threats:

The situation looks bad, and this is not because of the old crime [being investigated] but because of what is happening today. Hezbollah is utilizing rhetoric that it never has before, making clear and explicit threats saying that either the Saudi — Syrian proposal is agreed — in other words no accusations are leveled at Hezbollah — or there will be dire consequences. This is explicit blackmail.

Indeed, I’ve been having the same thoughts. The language of Hezbollah is exceptionally strong and out of character. The character being that of a calm strategic party that likes to gain power without antagonizing too many people.

Al Rashed also adds this:

I do not understand why Hezbollah is so afraid; this is an organization whose leadership was, and remains, pursued by the law over the past 30 years. There are Hezbollah members in prison in many countries around the world, so what is different [this time]? The argument that Hezbollah fears that if any of its members are indicted, this will cause a crack in the relationship between the Sunnis and Shiites in Lebanon is not believable, particularly due to the number of cracks in this relationship caused by the Hezbollah movement itself, including its recent threats against the Sunni community under the pretext of preventing the tribunal’s expected decision.

The only thing that justifies such Hezbollah anger is the indictment of people Hezbollah considers sacrosanct like Imad Mughnieh. But even then their current behavior is unwarranted.