In a speech to mark two years since the end of the Second Lebanon War, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on Thursday declared that Israel's defense minister and army chief's "failures" in the past meant they did not scare his Lebanese militant organization today. "[Defense Minister Ehud] Barak, who accuses the political and security echelon of lacking experience during the period of the Second Lebanon War, what can he say to his failures during his term as prime minister, particularly the hasty departure from Lebanon?" The Lebanese militant organization leader asked.
Nasrallah continued: "I also remind [Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gabi] Ashkenazi of his failures during the period when he served as GOC Northern Command. They both failed then, and therefore they don't scare us today."
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The Hezbollah leader, against whose organization Israel waged the 34-day war in 2006, also said that the expected replacement of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert signifies the end of Israel's wartime leadership's rule.
He even argued that he doesn't remember the name of the defense minister during the war ? a mocking reference to Amir Peretz, who held the post during the conflict and famously said: "Nasrallah will remember the name Peretz."
Nasrallah added that the issue of the Second Lebanon will hold a central position in all public and media debate in Israel in years too come.
