For years, Berlin adhered to the fiction that the Iran-backed Islamist organization Hizballah comprises distinct military and political wings, so that even when it designated the former a terrorist group, it continued to allow the latter to function within its borders. German diplomats continued to conduct meetings with Hizballah officials. Thanks to U.S. pressure, and perhaps to Israeli intelligence sharing, Angela Merkel’s government recently reversed course, and declared the entire organization—which is thought to have 1,000 members within German borders—a terrorist group. Omer Dostri explains the implications:
Hizballah activists in Germany have taken advantage of the distinction between the military and political arm of the organization for drug trafficking, money laundering, and fundraising for its Lebanese home base. Hizballah’s criminal activity in Germany took place as part of its organized-crime network, which operates mainly in South America and Africa, but whose products are destined for European soil.
Hizballah’s activity in Germany is divided into two main areas: criminal activity, and socio-cultural activity aimed at Shiite immigrants, mostly from Lebanon. . . . In addition, Hizballah operates a network of cultural and welfare centers in Germany aimed at strengthening the organization’s image among Shiite Muslims and raising funds.
Cancelling the distinction between Hizballah’s so-called military and political arms is an important goal of Israeli foreign policy; it reveals the true nature of terrorist organizations in the Middle East and around the world. To increase the pressure on Hizballah, extensive international cooperation is needed. Israel, with the help of the United States, needs to press other countries to emulate Germany. The EU must be targeted first and foremost, as well as France and Italy, which are among the leading countries on the continent that have not yet outlawed Hezbollah’s military “branch.”
Read more on Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security: https://jiss.org.il/en/dostri-germany-ban-on-hezbollah/