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Boyle Advances Amendment to Sanction Russian Support of Hezbollah

October 2, 2017

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House Foreign Affairs Committee recently adopted Congressman Brendan F. Boyle's (PA-13) amendment to sanction Russia for its continued support of the terrorist organization Hezbollah. The amendment ensures that Russia's military coordination with Hezbollah will be sanctioned by the United States. HR 3329, the Hezbollah International Financing Prevention Amendments Act of 2017, with Boyle's amendment, was unanimously approved by the House Foreign Affairs Committee on and now awaits full consideration by the House.

"Since Russia began its involvement in the Syrian conflict, its relationship with Hezbollah – a U.S.-designated terrorist organization that calls for the destruction of Israel and possesses an advanced rocket and missile arsenal – has become extremely disturbing," said Congressman Boyle, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, in a statement after the passage of the amendment. "Hezbollah stands against everything we hold dear as Americans and endangers civilians by embedding its forces and weapons throughout civilian areas – a clear violation of international law. We need to make absolutely clear to Russia that collaboration with this terrorist militia will not be tolerated by the United States."

"By providing Hezbollah with advanced weapons and air support, Russia is elevating and empowering these merciless tyrants to harm our allies, like Israel, and innocent civilians throughout the region. Russia has reportedly transferred weapons to Hezbollah, including long-range tactical missiles, laser guided rockets and anti-tank weapons. This amendment will compel Russia to cease its support for Hezbollah in Syria or anywhere else, or else face sanctions by the United States."

Hezbollah has amassed up to 150,000 rockets and missiles and could launch over 1,500 rockets per day in a future conflict with Israel. In the ten years since the Second Lebanon War, Hezbollah has transformed and has been emboldened by learning Russian methods of war, becoming familiar with their advanced weaponry and technologies. Congressman Boyle has consistently fought to hold Hezbollah accountable in order to safeguard Israelis and Americans everywhere. H.R. 3329 targets foreign governments that knowingly provide significant financial support to Hezbollah and foreign individuals and companies that aid its fundraising or recruitment activities.

Congressman Boyle has consistently fought to hold the Russian government accountable for its military incursion into Ukrainian territory and its threats to American cybersecurity. He is an emerging leader in Congressional efforts to bring an end to conflict in the Middle East, and serves as co-chair of the Friends of a Free, Stable and Democratic Syria Caucus, which recently met with the renowned White Helmet search-and-rescue team to discuss humanitarian responses to the Syrian conflict and atrocities committed by the Assad regime and Russian military.


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