Austria bans Hezbollah as Europe grows intolerant to Iran’s arms

Nahla Abdelmonem

Austria banned the Hezbollah group, including its military and political wings, on May 15, going beyond a European decision to ban the military wing of the group only.

The European country’s Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said the ban was an outcome of the terrorist practices of the group, accusing it of mixing its political and military activities together.

Austria considers Hezbollah a movement that poses danger to Europe’s security, viewing it as a military arm of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In this, Austria joins other European countries, including Germany and the Netherlands that had totally banned the group.

The German and Dutch governments had previously designated Hezbollah as a terrorist movement.

Security threat

Austria’s hard line on extremist movements finds its roots in attacks by the Islamic State group in Vienna in late 2020.

Europe is growing afraid of all radical movements, regardless of their ideological roots or nature.

European intelligence agencies are warning against potential cooperation between the different terrorist organizations in Europe.

By banning Hezbollah, Austria is taking European action against these organizations a step forward.

The Austrian strategy on these organizations works to prevent them from promoting their slogans or promoting organizations affiliated to the Muslim Brotherhood.

In February 2019, the Austrian government banned the use of Muslim Brotherhood slogans in public places. It imposed heavy fines on those who use the slogans of this Islamist organization.