Hizbullah Says 'Hostile and Unjust' EU Decision was 'Written with Zionist Ink'
Hizbullah on Monday described the European Union’s decision to blacklist its military wing as a “hostile and unjust” step, saying it was “written by American hands and with Zionist ink.”
"Hizbullah firmly rejects the EU decision... and sees it as a hostile and unjust decision that has no justification and is not based on any proof," the party said in a statement.
The group said the EU's decision was a result of U.S. and Israeli pressure and warned that it did not serve the bloc's interests.
"This decision was written by American hands and with Zionist ink and all that was asked of Europe was to put its seal," it said.
“Hizbullah believes that this unjust decision does not at all reflect the interests of the peoples of the European Union and contradicts with its values and aspirations that support the principles of freedom and independence, which it had always advocated,” it added.
Earlier on Monday, the EU put the military wing of Hizbullah on its of “terrorist organizations.”
To get the required agreement of all 28 EU member states, ministers had to overcome reservations in some members that the move would further destabilize Lebanon, where Hizbullah plays a key role in politics.
Accordingly, EU political and economic ties with Lebanon will be fully maintained in a delicate balancing act.
Hizbullah's military wing was blamed for a deadly attack on Israeli tourists in Bulgaria last year.
In March, a Hizbullah operative was also convicted in Cyprus of plotting a similar attack.
Monday's political decision will be given legal form within days and most likely result in sanctions such as an asset freeze.
In a statement from Washington, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said the decision would mean a "crackdown on Hizbullah's fundraising, logistical activity and terrorist plotting on European soil."
Lebanon had asked the EU not to blacklist Hizbullah on the grounds it was an "essential component of Lebanese society."
Support for the EU sanctions against Hizbullah grew in recent weeks after the party openly declared it was sending fighters to back the Syrian regime.
Source: Naharnet
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