US House Committee Approves Sanctions against Hezbollah

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (L) confers with Democratic ranking member Eliot Engel (Getty images)

Members of the US House of Representatives Foreign Relations Committee voted on Thursday in favor of two draft-laws that impose further sanctions on Hezbollah.
 
The first bill restricts Hezbollah’s ability to fundraise and have access to the international financial system and deal with financial institutions, while the second bill condemns Hezbollah for using civilians as human shields during warfare.
 
The two bills, which were introduced by the committee’s chairman Ed Royce along with Democrat Representative Eliot Engel, are expected to receive bipartisan support when they reach the US House.
 
“Hezbollah and Iran are reportedly introducing game-changing facilities into the region—independent factories that can produce rockets to be used against Israel and our allies. We also have reports of missile factories opening up in Lebanon near mosques, homes, hospitals, and schools … So today the Committee is taking action against Hezbollah and its sponsor Iran, by passing legislation that tightens the screws on Hezbollah’s financial operations globally,” Royce said.
 
Bill number HR 3329 suggests imposing mandatory sanctions with respect to fundraising and recruitment activities of Hezbollah.
 
Article 101 of the bill imposes sanctions on any foreign person who assists, sponsors, or, provides significant financial, material, or technological support for Hezbollah’s Bayt al-Mal, Jihad al-Bina, the Islamic Resistance Support Association, the Foreign Relations Department of Hezbollah, the External Security Organization of Hezbollah, al-Manar TV, al-Nour Radio, or the Lebanese Media Group, or any successor or affiliate.
 
HR 3342 imposes sanctions on foreign persons who are responsible for gross violations of the use of civilians as human shields by Hezbollah.
 
The bill dictates: “Identification of foreign persons who are responsible for gross violations of internationally recognized human rights by reason of the use by Hezbollah of civilians as human shields, and for other purposes.”