In taking the step, the French government reversed a decision by the French Audiovisual Council last month granting a broadcast license to the terrorist group's TV station, following a commitment by operators that the broadcast content would distance itself from hatred and incitement. The license was granted over objections by Jewish organizations.
A recent Al-Manar broadcast (November 11) in praise of suicide terrorism is typical of the fare presented. In an interview, the mother of a slain Islamist terrorist said, "Allah be praised, I am very happy. ...I am crying out of happiness. This is a blessed day, the day my son gave me reason to hold my head high...." In the same broadcast, another mother of a dead terrorist told an interviewer, "All I want is martyrdom. I'm willing for all my children to become martyrs. May my husband also become a martyr, and, Allah willing, may I die as a martyr." And a third Arab mother said, "It's true I sacrificed a son, but others have sacrificed two or three. I hope more of my sons will become martyrs."
Foreign Ministry spokesmen said that Israel is actively working on a political campaign against Hizbullah in Europe, and this latest step on the part of the French government signifies a diplomatic achievement. Minister Shalom expressed the hope that the French move is only the first step towards a European decision to include Hizbullah in the European Union's list of terrorist organizations. This would prevent the organization from recruiting resources and building an organizational infrastructure in Europe, as happened in the case of Hamas, which today finds it extremely difficult to raise funds and other aid as compared to in the past.
[Translations from Al-Manar provided by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI).]
A recent Al-Manar broadcast (November 11) in praise of suicide terrorism is typical of the fare presented. In an interview, the mother of a slain Islamist terrorist said, "Allah be praised, I am very happy. ...I am crying out of happiness. This is a blessed day, the day my son gave me reason to hold my head high...." In the same broadcast, another mother of a dead terrorist told an interviewer, "All I want is martyrdom. I'm willing for all my children to become martyrs. May my husband also become a martyr, and, Allah willing, may I die as a martyr." And a third Arab mother said, "It's true I sacrificed a son, but others have sacrificed two or three. I hope more of my sons will become martyrs."
Foreign Ministry spokesmen said that Israel is actively working on a political campaign against Hizbullah in Europe, and this latest step on the part of the French government signifies a diplomatic achievement. Minister Shalom expressed the hope that the French move is only the first step towards a European decision to include Hizbullah in the European Union's list of terrorist organizations. This would prevent the organization from recruiting resources and building an organizational infrastructure in Europe, as happened in the case of Hamas, which today finds it extremely difficult to raise funds and other aid as compared to in the past.
[Translations from Al-Manar provided by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI).]