Reaction to Britain's Decision to Label Hezbollah as a Terrorist Organization

After the British government included the political wing of Hezbollah, alongside its military branch, in its terrorist list, sources close to Hezbollah called this decision 'ineffective.' The governments of the United States, Israel, and several Arab states warmly welcomed London's action. Britain, which had listed only Hezbollah's military wing as a terrorist organization for years, announced on Monday, February 25, that it would also include the political wing in this list. Sajid Javid, the British Home Secretary, made this decision after Hezbollah flags were raised by protesters during recent demonstrations in Britain. This decision will prevent Hezbollah supporters in Britain from displaying the organization's flag or engaging in other activities promoting it. With the legalization of this decision, if a citizen in Britain is accused of membership in Hezbollah's political wing or of working for it, they could face up to ten years in prison. According to British media reports, a bill introduced by Prime Minister Theresa May's government to label the entire entity of Hezbollah as terrorist is set to be voted on in Parliament on Friday, March 1. Websites aligned with Hezbollah in Lebanon reported on Monday, citing sources 'close' to the organization's leadership, that Britain's decision is 'ineffective' in terms of the organization's operations and status. The Lebanese government reminded on Monday that Hezbollah is part of the Lebanese Parliament and government. Gebran Bassil, Lebanon's Foreign Minister, stated that 'resistance' is part of the heroic efforts against occupation. He said that even if the whole world insists that 'resistance is terrorism,' 'the entire Lebanese nation embraces resistance.' Mike Pompeo, the U.S. Secretary of State, tweeted on Monday that global unity in confronting the Iranian regime is increasing. According to Pompeo, 'the hands of this Iranian-backed terrorist group are stained with American blood and continue to plan attacks in the Middle East, Europe, and other parts of the world.' Israel's acting Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, also congratulated Britain on Monday and stated that he would demand the United Nations recognize Hezbollah as a terrorist entity in his upcoming meeting with the UN Secretary-General. Katz noted that 'there is no difference between Hassan Nasrallah, the secretary-general of this party, and other terrorists who carry out sabotage activities against Israel, Arab countries, and the entire Middle East.' Israeli media reported that Gilad Erdan, Israel's Minister of Public Security, tweeted his 'appreciation' for the British Home Secretary, stating, 'Anyone who truly wishes to fight terrorism rejects the false distinction between Hezbollah's military and political wings, and now it is time for the European Union to extend Britain's decision to its members.' Gulf countries, led by Bahrain, welcomed Britain's decision; the Gulf Cooperation Council has labeled Hezbollah as terrorist in all its branches for years. On the other hand, Federica Mogherini, the EU's foreign policy chief, who was recently at a conference of Arab countries and the EU in Egypt, traveled from Egypt to Lebanon and told Gebran Bassil that London's decision pertains to British governmental affairs and does not affect the EU's position. French President Emmanuel Macron, opposing Britain's decision, stated that Paris still distinguishes between Hezbollah's military and political wings. Macron reminded that his country considers Hezbollah's military wing as terrorist, while the political wing has representation in the Lebanese Parliament and government. Hezbollah was formed in the early 1980s, shortly after the Israeli army attacked the Palestinian Liberation Organization forces living in Lebanon, with direct assistance from the Islamic Republic of Iran. Hezbollah, with a large arsenal and thousands of fighters and various other capabilities, is the largest militia organization in the world. Hezbollah is a key player in the so-called 'resistance' axis against Israel; Hassan Nasrallah, its secretary-general, has repeatedly confirmed that all the organization's needs, from food and water to weapons and money, 'come from Iran.'