Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV returns to Australia

As the popularity of the Lebanese Hezbollah increases throughout the world, Australia announces plans to broadcast the resistance movement’s satellite channel.

The Australian Communication and Media Authority (ACMA) said the broadcast permit was re-granted to Al-Manar TV after an inquiry revealed that the Lebanese-based network ‘does not violate the country’s anti-terrorism standards’.

Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV was previously banned in Australia after some local media alleged that the network echoed anti-Israeli sentiments and endorsed suicide bombers.

ACMA’s latest investigation, however, found the accusations that Al-Manar TV was attempting to recruit people or solicit funds for terrorist activities were baseless.

The popular Arabic-language TV station had been banned twice in Australia –in 2004 and 2008.

While the decision has caused outrage among Jewish groups, Australian Arabic Council chairman Roland Jabbour has welcomed it, saying Al-Manar is “unrelated to terrorism or anti-Semitism”.

Hezbollah has gained immense popularity among Muslim nations after defeating Israel during the 33-day war in 2006.