European Parliamentarians Seek Terror Designation for IRGC

Latest Developments

Two dozen members of the European Parliament on October 10 called for the European Union (EU) to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, citing its involvement in Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel. According to POLITICO Europe, the move is being spearheaded by French MP Benjamin Haddad, who sent a letter to EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrel and the French foreign affairs ministry. The letter states that designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization would freeze its assets and “greatly reduce” Iran’s regional influence. In January, the European Parliament voted to recommend the IRGC’s designation as a terrorist organization by the EU, but no action has been taken so far. The United States designated the IRGC as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 2019.

Expert Analysis

“Iran and its tentacle organizations have profoundly misjudged the resilience and grit of the Jewish state. More and more countries have finally seen the mask come off the Hamas terror regime and are now — finally — taking measures that should have been taken long ago. This is a moment of moral clarity. In this moment, we can see Israel for what it is, a country of warriors battling for a secure democratic nation. We can also see Hamas for what it is, a cult of brutality and death.” — Enia Krivine, Senior Director of FDD’s Israel Program and National Security Network

“The EU has the evidence, legal authority, and support to designate the IRGC. Not long ago, the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favor of a measure calling on the EU to proscribe the IRGC as the terrorist organization that it has proven to be. While the IRGC and its overseas arms have their sights on Israel now, it has a long and bloody history of terrorism against Europe. Europe cannot escape being a target by appeasing the IRGC. Europe allows the IRGC to operate with impunity at its own peril.” — Toby Dershowitz, FDD Senior Vice President for Government Relations and Strategy

“The IRGC provides direction, training, money, and weapons to Hamas. The IRGC is as responsible for every European murdered and kidnapped as Hamas. The EU should designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization immediately.” — Richard Goldberg, FDD Senior Advisor

Border With Gaza Secured

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that it had regained control of the Gaza border 72 hours after multiple breaches by Iran-backed Hamas terrorists who entered Israel. IDF spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht said that authorities have found the bodies of 1,500 terrorists in southern Israel.

Israel continues to strike at Hamas, with the IDF reporting it has hit 1,352 targets. The Israeli death toll has surpassed 900, with 2,700 Israelis injured since October 7 and 500 remaining hospitalized, many in life-threatening conditions. As of Tuesday morning, the IDF is still pursuing terrorists on Israeli soil.

IDF Gives Evacuation Instructions

The IDF’s Arabic language service issued evacuation instructions for civilians in the Gaza Strip in a series of videos. The videos show maps with evacuation routes for specific neighborhoods in the isolated 25-mile-long enclave. The instructions come after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for an unprecedented, escalated offensive against Hamas. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) reported that over 180,000 Gaza residents have been displaced, with over 130,000 sheltering in 83 UNRWA schools.

Related Analysis

“Netanyahu Outlines Five Goals of Counterattack on Hamas,” FDD Flash Brief

“An overhaul of the EU’s Iran policy is long overdue,” by Saeed Ghasseminejad and Behnam Ben Taleblu

“Calls to Designate IRGC as Terrorist Organization Grow in the UK,” FDD Flash Brief