Last December, Germany’s parliament, the Bundestag, had voted for Hezbollah to be proscribed.
Hezbollah, which has close ties to Iran and Lebanon, is responsible not only for rocket fire against Israel, but also for many gory attacks on Israeli civilians and soldiers. Moreover, it has organised attacks against Jewish and non-Jewish institutions world-wide, such as the one on the “Mykonos” restaurant in Berlin in 1982. Hezbollah denies Israel’s right to exist and works to destroy Israel through military means.
German authorities estimate that around 1,000 Hezbollah supporters and members are operating in Germany. Their activities are visible notably at the annual anti-Semitic and anti-Israel Al-Quds March in Berlin. In Germany and Europe, Hezbollah generates funds for its terrorist activities through organised crime. Hezbollah poses a clear threat to Jewish life and a danger for homeland security.
he president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Dr Josef Schuster, said on the ban of Hezbollah: “It was high time for Germany to follow other countries and outlaw Hezbollah. Germany should not have, and must no longer, offer a safe haven to the supporters of an Islamist organisation which, motivated by deep hatred of Jews, who incite others to violence and who finance terrorist activities. As part of its upcoming EU presidency, Germany should advocate for a complete proscription of Hezbollah by the EU. A ban on the Al-Quds March would be another necessary and logical step to undertake.”
Berlin, 30 April 2020 / 6 Ijar 5870
