Should Those Who Use Civilians as Human Shields & Assist Hezbollah Face Sanctions? (H.R. 3342)

What is H.R. 3342?

(Updated November 4, 2018)

This bill would require the president to identify and impose sanctions on foreign people or entities affiliated with Hezbollah (also spelt Hizballah or Hizbullah) that have used civilians as human shields or provided material support to that terrorist group. Sanctioned individuals and entities would be unable to make property transactions in the U.S., blocked from entering the country, and have current visas revoked.

The president would provide a list of sanctioned people or entities to Congress and periodically update it. Additionally, the president would have the power to waive sanctions for up to 120 days if they determine applying them wouldn’t be in the U.S. national security interest.

Argument in favor

Using civilians as a human shield during an armed conflict is a crime against humanity, and those who helped Hezbollah use human shields or otherwise support the terror group should be sanctioned.

Argument opposed

The U.S. shouldn’t impose sanctions on Hezbollah for using civilians as human shields unless it also sanctions Israel for killing civilians, and this bill would further involve the U.S. in a Middle Eastern conflict.

Impact

Those sanctioned for using civilians as human shields or supporting Hezbollah; federal agencies enforcing sanctions; Congress; and the president.

Cost of H.R. 3342

The CBO estimates that enacting this bill would cost less than $500,000 annually and total $1 million over the 2018-2022 period.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) introduced this bill to sanction Hezbollah, a designated terror group, for its use of civilians as human shields:

“Since its creation, Hizballah has been an Iranian proxy dedicated to destroying Israel and combating American interests in the Middle East. From its bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in 1983, to its rocket attacks against Israel, to its expanding influence in Syria today, Hizballah’s terrorist activities have served as a direct challenge to the United States and our allies. The SHIELDS Act is a bipartisan effort to diminish Hizballah’s military capabilities and malign influence in the Middle East while advancing U.S. interests.”

This legislation passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee on a voice vote and has the support of 24 bipartisan cosponsors in the House, including 12 Republicans and nine Democrats.

Of Note: Hezbollah is a terrorist organization based in Lebanon which killed 241 U.S. Marines by bombing their barracks in Beirut in 1983. During its 34 day conflict with Israel in 2006, Hezbollah was accused of using human shields by deliberately positioning its rocket launchers in populated areas to maximize civilian casualties inflicted by Israel’s retaliatory strikes.

The Israeli military had a think-tank prepare a report detailing the use of human shields during the conflict. The Israel Defense Force (IDF) was also accused of war crimes because of civilian casualties during the conflict.

Media:

• Sponsoring Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) Press Release
  
• CBO Cost Estimate
  
• The National
  
• AIPAC (In Favor)
  
• Foundation For Defense of Democracy (In Favor)