28-03-2024 02:39 PM Jerusalem Timing

Netanyahu Praises GCC Blacklisting of Hezbollah

Netanyahu Praises GCC Blacklisting of Hezbollah

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has praised a decision by Persian Gulf Arab states to blacklist Hezbollah.

NetanyahuIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has praised a decision by Persian Gulf Arab states to blacklist Hezbollah.

Netanyahu said on Monday the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)'s designation was an “important” and “even amazing” development.

Last week, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates branded Hezbollah as a “terrorist organization.”

Netanyahu said measures as such by the group “have great potential to change the diplomatic reality in the region.”

However, he lashed out at Hadash and Balad, two Arab parties in the Israeli Knesset (parliament), for criticizing the blacklisting of Hezbollah.

A Balad source had earlier slammed the GCC move against Hezbollah, saying the movement “represents a large part of the Lebanese people" and the listing was “dangerous” as it would fuel crises in the region.

Hadash also said the GCC move served the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands, and was a proof that the Persian Gulf states were "siding with colonialism and Zionism against the interests of Arab nations."

“What is equally amazing is that two parties in the Knesset criticized” Hezbollah’s terror tag, said Netanyahu, adding, “Have you gone crazy?”

The GCC decision has been harshly criticized by senior Lebanese officials and regional nations.