A popular Arabic satellite television channel, which often glorifies terrorism and violence, has been named a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) entity by the U.S. Treasury Department. 

Al Manar (“The Beacon,” in Arabic) was designated as a SDGT in March 2006 for its active role in recruiting, fundraising and spying for the powerful Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah, according to a statement by the Treasury Department.  Hezbollah has owned and operated the station since 1991.

The SDGT designation significantly enhances the U.S. government’s ability to freeze the financial assets of Al Manar, as well as the related Al Nour Radio, and their parent company, the Lebanese Media Group.  It also allows the government to impose stiff penalties on any company with U.S. operations that does business with Al Manar.    

Al Manar had previously been placed on the State Department’s terrorism exclusion list in December 2004.  This restriction barred its employees from traveling to the United States.  In that same month, France’s highest administrative court banned a satellite provider from broadcasting the channel in France. 

Formed in the early 1980’s and funded by Iran, Hezbollah is responsible for the death of hundreds of innocent civilians; the organization has frequently targeted Americans, Israelis and Jews around the world.