‘Ireland leads opposition to Hezbollah blacklisting’

Israeli government officials and a leading Israeli public information body have accused Ireland of blocking efforts in the EU to put the military wing of the Lebanese group, Hezbollah, on the terror list.

In an email, the Israeli Project said Ireland had been criticised for “permitting and promoting vociferous anti-Israel activity bordering on anti-semitism”.

Sources inside the EU, however, said that Ireland, in its EU presidency role, is chairing the meetings where Hezbollah is being discussed and is not taking sides in the debate.

The Government refused to comment other than to say: “There is consideration being given to the issue of Hezbollah on foot of a request from a member state and the meetings are chaired by the Irish presidency.”

The British government has asked that Hezbollah be added to the terror list following evidence linking it to an bus bombing in Bulgaria last July, in which five Israelis and their driver were killed. Hezbollah denied involvement.

The Jerusalem Post reported that Israeli government officials on Wednesday accused Ireland of leading opposition inside the EU to blacklisting the organisation.

EU sources confirmed the issue was discussed by state experts on Tuesday and will be discussed again. If there is agreement then the decision must be unanimously agreed by all member states, but this would take weeks.