Kerry applauds the EU for adding Hezbollah to terror list

{mosads}State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said that unlike the EU, the United States doesn’t “differentiate” between the Lebanese Shiite group’s military and political wings. She said they share “common funding, personnel and leadership.” 

Still, she said, the EU decision will help rein in the group with its related travel ban and asset freezes.

Kerry’s full statement is below: 

We applaud the European Union (EU) for the important step it has taken today in agreeing to designate the military wing of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.

With today’s action, the EU is sending a strong message to Hezbollah that it cannot operate with impunity, and that there are consequences for its actions, including last year’s deadly attack in Burgas, Bulgaria, and for plotting a similar attack in Cyprus.

This designation will have a significant impact on Hezbollah’s ability to operate freely in Europe by enabling European law enforcement agencies to crack down on Hezbollah’s fundraising, logistical activity, and terrorist plotting on European soil.

As Hezbollah has deepened its support for the brutal Assad regime and worked to expand its global reach through increased involvement in international criminal schemes and terrorist plots around the world, a growing number of governments are recognizing Hezbollah as the dangerous and destabilizing terrorist organization that it is.

We call on other governments to follow the EU’s lead, and to take steps to begin reining in Hezbollah’s terrorist and criminal activities.

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