Congressmen Urge EU to Label Hezbollah Terror Group

Press Release

The bipartisan heads of the Congressional Israel Allies Caucus applaud the European Union (EU) for beginning its formal process of internal consultation on whether to list the military wing of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. The congressmen expressed hope that the process will be quick and that the EU will join the US and other concerned countries in labeling Hezbollah a terrorist group.

"I commend the EU for starting the process, and I hope they join the US, Canada, the Netherlands, Bahrain and Israel in labeling Hezbollah a terrorist organization," said New York Congressman Eliot Engel (NY-16), Ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

"It is critical that our friends and allies across the Atlantic publicly declare Hezbollah a terror organization so that we can choke off the funding this dangerous terrorist group gets across Europe," Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05) said. "It is urgent that we act now against this organization which has killed more Americans than any other after Al Qaeda because inaction is only emboldening them."

"The list of atrocities committed by Hezbollah is a long one," said Congressman Trent Franks (AZ-08). "That any modernized nation would not recognize the many attacks they have perpetrated as terrorist in nature is bewildering. The European Union should finally and officially recognize Hezbollah for what it is, uniting both sides of the Atlantic towards defending the human family from the specter of Jihadist terrorism."

"I am pleased that some countries in the EU are backing a proposal to designate Hezbollah's military wing as a terrorist organization," Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-30) said. "However, while I believe these efforts are a step in the right direction, I am disappointed that some EU countries are opposed to designating all of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. As long as only the military wing of Hezbollah is designated, Hezbollah can raise contributions and engage in business through its political wing."

The Congressional Israel Allies Caucus is the only bi-partisan pro-Israel Caucus in Congress. The Caucus spearheads pro-Israel initiatives and legislative efforts to ensure a secure future for the State of Israel.