Gov.uk
Home Secretary Priti Patel has today announced that the UK will proscribe Hamas as a terrorist organisation in its entirety, confirming that the UK “can no longer disaggregate” the group’s so-called military and political wings.
The UK proscribed Hamas’s military wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassem Brigades, in 2001, but the designation did not extend to the terror group’s political arm.The Home Secretary said that the current listing of Hamas “creates an artificial distinction between various parts of the organisation”.
“Hamas has significant terrorist capability, including access to extensive and sophisticated weaponry, as well as terrorist training facilities, and it has long been involved in significant terrorist violence”, she added.
CFI has welcomed the “hugely important” decision. CFI Parliamentary Chairmen, Rt. Hon. Stephen Crabb MP (Commons) and Rt. Hon. The Lord Pickles (Lords) and CFI Honorary President Lord Polak CBE said: “The Home Secretary’s decision to proscribe Hamas in its entirety is hugely important. The Hamas terror group is not only a threat to the State of Israel, but presents a threat to Jewish communities around the world, including at home in the UK. The Conservative Government has again demonstrated its commitment to stamping out Antisemitism, protecting the Jewish community and supporting Israel”.
The move has been welcomed by Israel’s Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Yair Lapid, Israel’s Ambassador to the UK H.E. Tzipi Hotovely, and senior Conservative Parliamentarians. PM Bennett said: “Hamas is a radical Islamic group that targets innocent Israelis & seeks Israel’s destruction. I welcome the UK’s intention to declare Hamas a terrorist organisation in its entirety — because that’s exactly what it is. Thank you to my friend Boris Johnson for your leadership”.
Conservative parliamentarians have raised concerns over the false distinction between the military and political wings for many years, highlighting that Hamas’s political leadership has a long history of being involved in the group’s terrorist and criminal activities.
The UK will join Israel, the United States, Canada, and the European Union in proscribing Hamas in full. The Times has reported that individuals who express support for Hamas, including flying its flag or arranging to meet its members, will be in breach of the Terrorism Act 2000 and will face up to ten years in prison.
