LABOUR'S APPROACH TO HEZBOLLAH

Jeremy Corbyn pictured with Hezbollah flag

The government's decision to outlaw the entire Hezbollah organisation has long been overdue many would argue.  Predictably, the hard left clique in control of the Labour party begs to differ.

Ahead of the debate scheduled around the ban, a Labour spokesman questioned its merits.

"The Home Office has previously ruled that there was not sufficient evidence that the political wing of Hezbollah fell foul of proscription criteria, a position confirmed by ministers in the House of Commons last year.  Ministers have not yet provided any clear evidence to suggest this has changed.  The Home Secretary must therefore now demonstrate that this decision was taken in an objective and impartial way, and driven by clear and new evidence, not by his leadership ambitions".

Labour spokesman on Hezbollah ban

The leadership decided not to oppose the ban when it was voted on, but did not support it either and gave MPs a free vote.  The vote passed easily, mostly due to the support of Labour MPs opposed to the terrorist-friendly attitude of the leadership.  Backbencher Wes Streeting gave a very forceful speech during the debate in which he slammed both Hezbollah and the leadership of his own party.  Diane Abbott can be seen on the front bench (see video below).

Last night I backed the Government’s proscription of Hezbollah unequivocally and without hesitation - not just because I have to look my constituents in the eye, but because when I go home I have to be able to look myself in the eye, in the mirror, too. Extract of speech here: pic.twitter.com/nq9ahs23pX

— Wes Streeting MP (@wesstreeting) February 27, 2019

Streeting's colleague, Louise Ellman, also slighted Corbyn by referring to his infamous speech (see video below):  "Hezbollah are not our friends and today would have been a very good opportunity to say so".  Mike Gapes, of the Independent Group, added:  "They [the Labour leadership] are unfit for government and a threat to national security".

If anyone needed reminding about Jeremy Corbyn's attitude to Hezbollah, which translates as 'Army of God', take him at his own words...