Why are Certain EU Countries Opposed to Hezbollah’s Designation?
In spite of a large Hezbollah presence in Europe, European governments have denied the multiple requests from the U.S. and Israeli governments to add Hezbollah to the EU blacklist. The obstacles reside both in European bureaucratic processes and in the resistance of particular countries that have actively opposed such a move. In order to add Hezbollah to the list of terrorist organizations, consensus must be found among all 27 EU members. The European Council, comprised of representatives of all member states, must unanimously agree on a “common position.” Achieving consensus is, not surprisingly, a more difficult endeavor as the EU continues to expand.(8) Furthermore, the proceedings of the designation process are kept secret, and so it is difficut to know exactly each country’s position, except for those countries that have voiced their opposition forcefully, such as France. Given its close relationship with Lebanon, France has long opposed any move to label Hezbollah a terror organi
