Australia announced this morning (Wednesday) the definition of the political arm of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, in addition to the military arm.
The classification of the pro-Iranian organization operating in Lebanon and elsewhere in the world means that membership in it will be illegal in Australia.
Anyone convicted of membership in the organization will be likely to be sentenced to up to 25 years in prison.
Along with Hezbollah, the neo-Nazi organization "The Base" was also classified as a terrorist organization.
It is an antisemitic group that promotes "white supremacy" and operates in Australia, the United States and South Africa, among others.
"There is no place in Australia for violent extremism. There is no reason - religious or ideological - that could justify killing innocent people," Home Secretary Karen Andrews told reporters in Canberra.
Australian Home Secretary, Photo: EP
It is estimated that Hezbollah is not active in Australia.
At the same time, the declaration may have diplomatic significance for other countries.
As you may recall, Britain recently classified the political arm of Hamas as a terrorist organization.
"The declaration of Hamas as a terrorist organization was the right decision - difficult and controversial, but it's the right thing to do," British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told President Yitzhak Herzog at a rally on Tuesday at his official office at 10 Downing Street.