The U.S. House of Representatives voted last week to urge the European Union to designate the entire Hezbollah organization as a terrorist group.
Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) introduced H.Res.599 on July 18. The resolution came to draw 41 bipartisan cosponsors and was adopted by voice vote.
In addition to detailing many of Hezbollah’s terrorist attacks, the resolution notes that the U.S. Treasury and State Departments estimate that Iran provides as much as $700 million annually to Hezbollah “in the form of financial and logistical support, weapons and training.”
It also noted that Hezbollah “now has an arsenal of approximately 150,000 missiles and rockets, with increased sophistication and many of which can reach deep into Israel.”
The United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Serbia and Kosovo are among those who declare Hezbollah as a terror organization in its entirety. The European Union only designates Hezbollah’s “military wing.”
“Despite restrictions put on Hezbollah since the designation of its military wing, the group continues to conduct illicit narco-trafficking, money laundering and weapons trafficking throughout Europe and the world,” the bill notes.
“We must make clear to terrorist proxies that we are not fooled to their true intentions,” wrote Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.). “That’s why I spoke in support of H.Res.599 urging the E.U. to designate Hezbollah in full as a terrorist organization and was pleased to see this resolution pass by voice vote today.”
“Hezbollah’s own leaders have made clear that the organization does not have distinct military, terrorist and political wings. The European Union needs to officially recognize this as well,” stated Ted Deutch, CEO of the American Jewish Committee. The AJC has long advocated for the E.U. to designate Hezbollah.
“Hezbollah terrorists around the world recruit members, raise funds, procure weapons, smuggle drugs, conduct surveillance and, when feasible, instill terror and destruction,” Deutch added. “They will continue to engage in this dangerous, illegal behavior as long as the international community allows.”
