Congressional letter praises EU shift on Hezbollah

Forty-nine US legislators thank European Union for designating Lebanese group’s military wing a terror organization

WASHINGTON (JTA) – A letter signed by 49 members of Congress thanked the European Union for designating Hezbollah’s military wing as a terrorist organization but strongly urged the EU to do the same for all of Hezbollah.

Designating Hezbollah’s military wing as a terrorist group “helps to align our approaches in the Middle East as we seek to support the stability and peace that the people of the region pursue,” reads the Aug. 5 letter, spearheaded by Reps. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.), Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) and Mike Kelly (R-Pa.).

There is no difference between Hezbollah’s political and military wings, noted the bipartisan group of Congress members who signed the letter, which was addressed to EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.

Enforcement of the ban as well as any accompanying sanctions “will help disrupt Hezbollah’s dangerous operations around the world,” according to the letter.