International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, Dec. 12, 2002

The Canadian government outlawed the "political wing" of Hezbollah in Canada on Wednesday based on evidence that the terrorist organization was raising money there.

The ban means the organization could have all of its assets seized and anyone found guilty of handling finances or property for Hezbollah faces up to 10 years in jail. The decision was made almost a year after Canada banned Hezbollah's military wing.

Ori Tannenbaum, whose father Elhanan, a businessman and retired colonel, was abducted by Hezbollah in October 2000, was at the parliament building in Ottawa when the decision was announced.

"It is an important step that puts pressure on other governments which either harbor or support Hezbollah activists and allow them to raise money for this organization," Tannenbaum said. "The authorities in Israel contend that my father is alive and I am turning to Canada for help to ensure that he's brought back to us alive."

Foreign Minister Bill Graham, who had earlier described Hezbollah's political wing as legitimate, changed his mind however, after Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, urged Palestinian terrorists last month to continue suicide attacks.

"I think this [decision] will be sending a signal to Hezbollah that its affirmation of the use of terrorism as an international instrument is not acceptable," Graham said.

Two other groups, the Kurdistan Workers Party and the Japanese Aum Shinrikyo cult, were added to Ottawa's list of 13 other banned organizations.