Trump signs 'hard-hitting' Hezbollah sanctions bill into law

The bill amends a 2015 law that sanctions financial institutions that facilitate transactions on Hezbollah's behalf.

By MICHAEL WILNER
Updated: OCTOBER 28, 2018 01:48
U.S. President Donald Trump reads an executive order before signing it at Homeland Security headquarters in Washington, U.S (photo credit: REUTERS)
U.S. President Donald Trump reads an executive order before signing it at Homeland Security headquarters in Washington, U.S
(photo credit: REUTERS)
WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump signed into law on Thursday a bipartisan bill that will impose harsh sanctions on those aiding and abetting Hezbollah.
The law, titled the Hezbollah International Financing Prevention Amendments Act, “will further isolate Hezbollah from the international financial system and reduce its funding,” White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement. “These sanctions will target foreign persons and government agencies that knowingly assist or support Hezbollah and Hezbollah-affiliated networks that engage in drug trafficking or other transnational crime.”
The bill amends a 2015 law that sanctions financial institutions that facilitate transactions on Hezbollah’s behalf.
Trump chose to sign the law on the anniversary of Hezbollah’s 1983 bombing of the US Marine barracks in Beirut, an attack that killed 241 American soldiers.
The law is one of several making its way through Congress targeting the Lebanese-based organization, which operates an international drug-trafficking scheme to raise funds. It was drafted by members of both parties and earned support across the aisle in final votes in both houses.