New York - The World Jewish Congress United States on Friday expressed its support for H.R. 3329 and S.1595, newly introduced parallel Congressional bills that would increase sanctions on Hezbollah, building upon the sanctions legislation against the terrorist group unanimously passed by Congress in 2015 and signed into law by President Barack Obama.
The Hezbollah International Financing Prevention Amendments Act of 2017 seeks to cut off the flow of resources to Hezbollah by imposing sanctions on foreign individuals and companies that aid Hezbollah’s fundraising or recruitment activities, including Hezbollah media outlets, and foreign governments that knowingly provide significant financial support to Hezbollah.
Rabbi Joel Meyers, Chair, WJC US, said, “Hezbollah, Iran’s proxy, rains rockets down on Israeli civilians and has been a profoundly destabilizing entity in the Middle East for many years by engaging in terrorism, including violence in Syria. The sanctions proposed in this legislation, H.R. 3329 and S. 1595, will severely limit Hezbollah’s financial support system and help curtail its lethal and dangerous activities. This bi-partisan bill will demonstrate America’s resolve to not sit idly by while Hezbollah attacks US allies, increases its heinous and violent crimes and continues to wreak havoc in the region. We commend Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Representatives Ed Royce (R-CA) and Eliot Engel (D-NY) for introducing this important legislation. ”
