The British government said on Friday that it plans to ban the Palestinian militant group Hamas to combat anti-Semitism and protect the Jewish community.
The Hamas organization, which controls the Gaza Strip and firmly opposes the existence of Israel, is regarded as a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States and the European Union. If the ban is approved by Parliament, it would be illegal to become a member of Hamas or express support for the organization in the UK under the Terrorism Act 2000. The Associated Press pointed out.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said on Twitter that she “has taken action to ban Hamas completely” and will push for the ban next week.
She said: “Hamas has powerful terrorist capabilities, including access to a wide range of sophisticated weapons and terrorist training facilities.”
Since 2001, the United Kingdom has banned the military branch of militants, and Patel now advocates a ban on Hamas as a whole.
If passed into law, The ban will be issued According to the Sunday Times, supporters hoisted Hamas flags, arranged to meet with its members, or wore clothing deemed to support the organization. Supporters of Hamas could face up to 14 years in prison.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss expressed support for Patel, saying that “Hamas will be banned as a terrorist organization” and that “this will help solve the scourge of anti-Semitism.”
According to Al Jazeera, Hamas responded in a statement saying, Say, “Instead of apologizing and correcting its historical crimes against the Palestinian people…[Britain] Support the aggressor at the expense of the victim. “
The statement added: “Through all available means, including armed resistance, resistance to occupation is a right guaranteed by international law to the occupied people.”
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett also reacted to the news and supported Britain’s move to ban militias.
“Hamas is a radical Islamic organization that targets innocent Israelis and seeks to destroy Israel. I welcome Britain’s intention to declare Hamas a terrorist organization in its entirety-because that is the case,” he wrote on Twitter road.
