The European Union’s decision to list Hezbollah’s “military wing” as a terrorist organization did not materialize solely as a result of US and Israeli pressures. The EU step appears to have had its supporters within the member countries themselves due primarily to the Lebanese party’s involvement in the battles taking place in Syria.
For weeks now, the Western press has been carrying reports that US and European officials at all levels believe that Hezbollah’s intervention in Syria has made a big difference, preventing the collapse of the regime and forcing those countries – including the Europeans among them – to openly admit their military support for the armed opposition after keeping their assistance secret for some time.
Europe no longer sees Hezbollah’s influence as being limited to Lebanon, but recognize that the party today stands at the center of a broad front of regional forces that have chosen to defend the Assad regime. The party’s deep popular roots and history of resistance against Western and Israeli occupation has given the struggle in Syria a decisive push in favor of Damascus.
For weeks now, the Western press has been carrying reports that US and European officials at all levels believe that Hezbollah’s intervention in Syria has made a big difference, preventing the collapse of the regime and forcing those countries – including the Europeans among them – to openly admit their military support for the armed opposition after keeping their assistance secret for some time.
Europe no longer sees Hezbollah’s influence as being limited to Lebanon, but recognize that the party today stands at the center of a broad front of regional forces that have chosen to defend the Assad regime. The party’s deep popular roots and history of resistance against Western and Israeli occupation has given the struggle in Syria a decisive push in favor of Damascus.
The decision made against Hezbollah represents a shift in which the outcome of the struggle in Syria has become a high-stakes game for the Europeans. The EU would readily reverse its position on the matter, and welcome the Lebanese party in its capitals, if it is willing to turn its back on the Assad regime.In this sense, Israel must be a little more modest and understand that the European decision was not made at its behest, and should celebrate the fact that it now shares a common enemy with the Europeans. It can now unleash all manner of violence at its disposal against the Resistance now that open war has been declared on the movement.
No European official today is under pressure to explain one of the stupidest decisions in the EU’s history. But, not long from now, they will have to justify the losses that they will suffer – politically, economically, and militarily – due to their high-handed colonial approach to the region.In the end, Hezbollah will not be the only one to pay the price. Europe’s declaration of war on the Resistance means that the presence of their troops on Lebanese territory is not welcome anymore.From now on, Europe must realize that its soldiers serving under the UN flag in southern Lebanon are operating behindenemy lines.
Ibrahim al-Amin is editor-in-chief of Al-Akhbar.
This article is an edited translation from the Arabic Edition.
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