Australia lists Hezbollah as ‘terrorist organisation’
SYDNEY, Nov 24, 2021 (NNB/AFP) – Australia on Wednesday listed all of Hezbollah as a “terrorist organisation”, extending a ban on armed factions to the entire movement, which wields considerable power over Lebanon.
Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said that the Tehran-backed Shiite group “continues to threaten terrorist attacks and provide support to terrorist organisations” and poses a “real” and “credible” threat to Australia.
In 2006, it fought a short yet devastating war against Israel.
Some countries have sought to distinguish between Hezbollah’s political and militant factions, fearing a blanket ban could further destabilise Lebanon and hamper contacts with authorities.
Australia had such a policy since 2003, when it banned Hezbollah’s so-called External Security Organisation – a part of the movement’s military wing that is chiefly focused on shadowy overseas operations.
From now, membership of the entire organisation or providing funding for it will now be proscribed in Australia, which has a large Lebanese community.
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett thanked his “friend” and Australian counterpart Scott Morrison for the move.
No reason was given for the timing of Canberra’s decision, which comes as Lebanon reels from spiralling political and economic crises.
Nearly 80 per cent of the population is estimated to be living below the poverty line.
Elections are expected in March 2022 and there is growing public anger about nepotism and corruption among Lebanon’s ruling class.
The move may play well domestically for Australia’s conservative government, ahead of its own elections expected next year.