Nasrallah: Israel is a cancer and the ultimate goal should be to remove it

The lines of communication between us and Hamas were never severed, Hezbollah leader tells Lebanese paper; Nasrallah played down the success of the Iron Dome defense system.

By ARIEL BEN SOLOMON
Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah. (photo credit: REUTERS)
Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah.
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has said in an interview that “Israel is a cancer” and that the “ultimate goal should be to remove it.”
Speaking in a multi-part interview on Thursday, which is to be published over the next two days in the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, which tends to support Hezbollah, Nasrallah said that Israel seeks short wars that lead to “a quick, decisive and clear victory.”
“The reason for this is their realization that any future war is going to be a lot more difficult in terms of its targets and the ability of the resistance – its rocket capabilities and capabilities in all areas. The enemy cannot withstand a war of attrition,” he said.
Nasrallah played down the success of the Iron Dome defense system, asserting “it will face a real issue when there is a large number of rockets.”
Asked about advice he would give the “Palestinian resistance” in Gaza, Nasrallah responded, “When a human being is given two choices, either surrender or fight, there is no choice between fighting and humiliation. The culture of the resistance and the choice of the resistance grew among the Palestinian people because they have no other option.”
Asked about Hezbollah’s relationship with Hamas following its break with its ally, Syrian President Bashar Assad, Nasrallah said that despite this, “contacts and meetings were never put on hold. Everything stayed normal.”
Asked, “Are we going to enter Jerusalem?” the Hezbollah leader responded, “I have no doubt.”
“The most dangerous problem we face today, whether it is with the Lebanese or Arab public, is to get to a point where the people of the region consider Israel’s existence normal,” emphasized Nasrallah.
He went on to add, “Israel is an illegitimate entity and it is a threat to the region. It is a constant threat to the whole region. We cannot coexist with this threat. That is why the ultimate goal of the [Arab and Islamic] nation is to end Israel’s existence irrespective of the problems, sensitivities and everything that has happened and could happen between Palestinians and non-Palestinians, Shia and Sunni, Muslims and Christians.”
Nasrallah also delved into personal details, saying he hadn’t driven a car since 1986.
Asked if he uses Facebook, the organization’s leader said, “Due to the security situation, I should stay away from anything related to mobile phones or the Internet.”
However, he said he keeps up to date by reading reports.
Nasrallah also commented on his changing of residence constantly, saying that “when changing places and relocating become a part of a person’s life, it becomes the usual situation.”
Israel and the Arab media say I live in a bunker and am secluded, “but I do not live in a bunker,” he said.
He also said that he used to speak English. “But due to lack of practice, I can understand but rarely speak it.”