The development comes after British Home Secretary Sajid Javid was reported 24 February to be preparing to ban the political wing of Hezbollah – a move which will prevent supporters of the group from parading its flag on UK streets.
Britain said on Monday that it will ban Hezbollah in its entirety, including its political wing, deeming it a terrorist organisation, Reuters has reported.
“Hezbollah is continuing in its attempts to destabilise the fragile situation in the Middle East — and we are no longer able to distinguish between their already banned military wing and the political party. Because of this, I have taken the decision to proscribe the group in its entirety,” Home Secretary Sajid Javid stated.
The move will have to be approved by Parliament, raising the prospect it could be opposed by Jeremy Corbyn, who once referred to members of its political wing group as ‘friends’.
At present, the UK and EU alike only classify Hezbollah’s military wing a terrorist entity. This allows Hezbollah’s political members to operate in the country, appearing at the annual al-Quds day rally in London replete with the organization’s flag, which promotes the destruction of the Jewish state.