Halla Ya

Everywhere you go in the West Bank there is an infectious beat driving people. Timbaland didn't produce it and its not a post-mortem treat from the one J-dilla. From car stereos, shawarma shop radios, and televisions from Al-Khalil to Nablus, speakers blare:

Halla Ya Sagir Lebanon,
Halla Ya Hasan Nasrallah,
Halla Ya Hezbollah...

Palestine has suffered so much at the hands of the Israeli state that one would be hard-pressed to find Palestinians who aren't a little excited by the fact that there is a force strong enough to slap the Zionists with a couple of bofetas.

I am not sure how this war will end. Israel has one of the strongest militaries, very advanced weaponry, and the world's most influential benefactors. But one thing is certain, Hezbollah is welcome in Palestine. Hassan Nasrallah is loved by many who see his dedication to the Palestinian people and his audacity as qualities that are missing from other arab leaders.



In communities across the West Bank there have been dozens of demonstrations in support for the Hezbollah fighters. This solidarity with the underdog freedom fighters cuts across party lines. Fatah as well as Hamas are expressing support.

In a world where a non arab-speaker is often limited to understanding everyday people's politics by using the terms 'good' or 'not good,' one finds an overwhelming amount of people of all generations who smile, give thumbs up, and proclaim that Hezbollah is 'very, very good.'