Update: 4852 signed at 11:25, 22/06/17
Over 2,500 people have signed a petition in the first 24 hours calling upon the UK Government to ban Hezbollah in its entirety.
The petition, launched Monday evening, comes after anti-Israel protesters carried Hezbollah flags during a march in central London on Sunday. Organisers used a legal loophole to encourage protesters to carry the flag at the Al Quds march, which is an annual day created to call for the destruction of Israel.
Hezbollah is a Lebanese-based terrorist organisation banned throughout the world, including by the Arab League, United States, France and Israel, but not in the UK.
Britain has only banned its “military” arm but not its “political” wing meaning there is a legal loophole that is currently allowing support for the organisation to grow. However Hezbollah, by its own admission, does not differentiate between its political and military wings. The flag, which features an assault rifle, is used for both.
The petition started by Christians United for Israel is calling upon Home Secretary Amber Rudd to ban Hezbollah outright.
CUFI UK Executive Director, Des Starritt says, “Hezbollah is an anti-Israel, anti-West organisation that should not be allowed in Britain, yet on Sunday its supporters marched through central London flying Hezbollah flags.”
“If Britain is to genuinely say ‘no to terror’ then all terrorist organisations must be banned without compromise. Following the Arab League and United States in proscribing Hezbollah is one simple step that the UK Government can take in ensuring that extremism will not be tolerated in this country.”
Hezbollah calls for Islamist revolution around the world, has carried out terror attacks for over 30 years, and calls for the “liberation of Jerusalem” and for the destruction of Israel. Backed by Iran, it has tens of thousands of rockets that can reach every city in Israel.
