House and Senate members have called on the European Union to designate Hizballah as a terrorist entity.

Members of the House have sent two letters. The first, spearheaded by Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Ted Deutch (D-FL), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Steve Israel (D-NY) and Albio Sires (D-NJ) and signed by 269 House members, was addressed to 22 ministers of the European Union and highlights Hizballah’s history of terrorism and ties to the brutal regime of Syria’s Bashar Assad. It also rejects claims that Hizballah constitutes merely a political organization. The letter was sent on Sept. 27.

The second letter, spearheaded by Reps. Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Ed Royce (R-CA) and signed by 255 House members, is addressed to the foreign minister of Cyprus, which now holds the presidency of the EU Council. The letter notes that Cyprus, as an actual victim of Hizballah terrorism, has a unique role to play in ensuring that the EU recognize Hizballah for what it is. The letter was sent on Sept. 27.

A similar letter in the Senate, spearheaded by Sens. Robert Casey (D-PA) and James Risch (R-ID) and addressed to Catherine Ashton, the EU’s foreign policy chief, notes that Hizballah has a long history of carrying out terrorist attacks against European citizens, soldiers and diplomats as well as Americans and Israelis working and traveling in Europe. The letter was sent on Sept. 14 wih 75 signatories.