Bilirakis and Deutch: EU Must Recognize Hezbollah As Terrorist Organization

Press Release

Congressmen Bilirakis (R-FL) and Deutch (D-FL) issued the following statements regarding the Bulgarian government's report that two individuals responsible for the July 2012 terrorist attack on a bus in Burgas, Bulgaria, have ties to Hezbollah. Five Israeli tourists and the Bulgarian bus driver were killed in the attack.

Congressman Bilirakis: "The Bulgarian government's report is yet another example of Hezbollah's deliberate use of terror across the globe. Contrary to some European opinions, Hezbollah is not merely a political organization and is actively involved in terrorist activities. As I have requested many times, the European Union must finally recognize Hezbollah for what it is: a terrorist organization. I commend the Bulgarian government for their thorough investigation and call on the members of the European Union to examine these findings closely."

Congressman Deutch: "The results of the Bulgarian government's investigation into the deadly attack in Burgas confirms what we already knew - Hezbollah is a terrorist organization that is willing to perpetrate attacks on innocent civilians around the globe. I continue to urge our European partners to formally designate Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. Failure to do so only emboldens Hezbollah to continue its reign of terror in Europe and around the world."

In September 2012, Congressmen Bilirakis and Deutch initiated a bi-partisan letter signed by 268 Members of Congress to the President and Ministers of the Commission of the European Union, urging them to include Hezbollah on the European Union's list of terrorist organizations.

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