(JTA) — The Arab League has declared the Lebanon-based Shiite group Hezbollah a terrorist organization.
Lebanon and Iraq, which expressed “reservations,” were the only two members of the 22-member pan-Arab group not to vote in favor of the declaration Friday, according to the Times of Israel.
Iran, which funds Hezbollah, is not a member of the Arab League.
The move follows a similar statement on March 2 from the six Gulf Arab states. Two of Israel’s Arab parties condemned the March 2 declaration, outraging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and many Israeli lawmakers. The parties, Hadash and Balad, said that designating Hezbollah a terror group benefits Israel.
Hezbollah leaders have frequently stated the group’s desire to destroy Israel, and the group currently is believed to have more than 100,000 rockets and missiles aimed at the country, according to the Times of Israel.
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