The Arab League said Sunday that it does not consider Lebanon’s Hezbollah a terrorist organization. shower Israeli civilians have been firing rockets for months in support of Hamas terrorists in Gaza.
“Previous decisions of the Arab League designated Hezbollah a terrorist organization. This terminology was reflected in our resolutions and led to a breakdown in communication with them. Arab League member states have agreed that this approach no longer applies.” explanation Hossam Zaki, Under-Secretary-General of the Arab League.
Zaki noted that the Arab League does not maintain a formal list of terrorist organizations and does not see the need to create one.
of The Israel Times (TOI) Confirmed Hezbollah is the only organization so far to have been designated a terrorist organization by the Arab League, which appeared to apply the designation specifically in 2016 after the influential Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) also designated Hezbollah a terrorist organization.
GCC I made that decision In March 2016, the GCC announced its withdrawal after accusing Hezbollah of “sedition in Syria, Yemen and Iraq.” Hezbollah had sent fighters to help Syrian dictator Bashar Assad stay in power, while the GCC primarily supported rebel forces.
The GCC countries, led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), were also concerned about Hezbollah’s “stretch” on Lebanese politics (an entirely legitimate concern given the situation in Lebanon then and now) and Iran’s support for terrorist groups in Lebanon.
Arab League slap Ten days later, Iran designated Hezbollah a terrorist group, citing “provocative statements by Iranian officials against Arab countries” and Iran’s use of groups like Hezbollah for “gross interference” in other countries’ internal affairs.
“Hezbollah’s terrorist acts and intervention in Syria on the side of the Assad regime are further destabilizing the region and fueling sectarian conflict. Hezbollah is a key partner of the Assad regime, which is responsible for the deaths of more than 300,000 civilians in Syria,” members of the Arab League’s Political Committee said in March 2016.
In addition to Hezbollah’s support for Assad, the coalition also supports the Iran-Hezbollah alliance. Funding and training Terrorists in Bahrain, where a Sunni monarchy rules over a restless Shiite population. Overthrowing the Bahraini monarchy has been a primary goal of Iran and its Shiite terrorist organizations since the Islamic Republic of Iran seized power in 1979.
The league’s change of heart against Hezbollah was likely brought about by the Gaza war, the desire of Arab rulers to avoid appearing soft on Israel in front of angry publics, and the league’s desire to avoid a broader war between Israel, Hezbollah and Iran.
Arab League To welcome Syria’s return as a member state in May 2023, 12 years after its expulsion, marks a historic departure for Hezbollah’s support for Assad. The move is seen as a sign of declining American influence in the Middle East under President Joe Biden, as is the removal of Hezbollah’s terrorism designation. With labels Hezbollah became a terrorist organization in 1997.
Almonitor saw Zaki’s announcement to remove Hezbollah’s terrorist designation sparked “widespread debate on social media,” with critics saying that he and Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit were ignoring the wishes of member states and pursuing their own selfish interests in this move, as well as giving Hezbollah a license to use illegal weapons.
of Jerusalem Post Quote Lebanese media reported that Zaki had recently visited Lebanon, ingratiated himself with Hezbollah leaders and told them in advance that the Arab League would no longer consider them terrorists. He did not seem interested in hearing from Lebanese politicians who are not members of Hezbollah.
Zaki also reportedly told Hezbollah that the Arab League wants to break the political deadlock in Lebanon and eventually install a new president. Lebanon has been without a president since Michel Aoun completed his term. Resignation October 2022.
