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Israel welcomes UK decision to blacklist Hezbollah

February 26, 2019 at 10:07 am

Supporters of Lebanon’s Hezbollah gather near a poster of their leader Hassan Nasrallah during a ceremony to mark Ashura on 20 September 2018 in Beirut [Anwar Amro/AFP/Getty Images]

Israel yesterday welcomed the British decision to blacklist the Lebanese Shia group Hezbollah, calling for all EU member states to follow suite, the Anadolu Agency reported.

“Thank you to the UK and my friend @sajidjavid for deciding to designate all of #Hezbollah as a terrorist group. All who truly wish to combat terror must reject the fake distinction between “military” & “political” wings. Now is the time for the #EU to follow suit!” Israeli Minister of Public Security and Strategic Affairs Gilad Erdan wrote on Twitter.

The UK government announced yesterday that it plans to blacklist Hezbollah in its entirety, including its political wing, saying that it could no longer distinguish between the two branches. The issue is subject to parliamentary approval.

READ: Britain to expand ban on Lebanon’s Hezbollah, calling it terrorist group

“Hezbollah is continuing in its attempts to destabilise the fragile situation in the Middle East – and we are no longer able to distinguish between their already banned military wing and the political party. Because of this, I have taken the decision to proscribe the group in its entirety,” Javid said.

Hezbollah, which is an active member of the Lebanese government, made gains in the latest election held in May last year. Its armed wing is also actively fighting in support of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad.

Israel, Lebanon tensions at the border - Cartoon [Latuff/MiddleEastMonitor]

Israel, Lebanon tensions at the border – Cartoon [Latuff/MiddleEastMonitor]