- Britain can declare Hamas a terrorist organization.
- Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett welcomed the news.
- The left wing of the opposition Labour Party has strong pro-Palestinian support.
The Home Office said on Friday that if the British government successfully banned the organization from becoming a terrorist organization, Hamas supporters could face up to 14 years in prison.
The Secretary of the Interior Priti Patel (Priti Patel) will push for parliamentary changes next week, thinking that it is impossible to distinguish between the political and military departments of Hamas.
Since March 2001, the military branch of the Qassam brigade of the Islamic movement ruling the Gaza Strip has been banned in the United Kingdom.
But a complete ban under the Terrorism Act of 2000 will bring it in line with the United States and the European Union.
Patel, who is visiting Washington, said the move was “based on extensive intelligence, information, and links with terrorism.”
“The seriousness of this matter speaks for itself,” she said, calling Hamas “fundamentally and fanatical anti-Semitism”, adding that it needs to be banned to protect the Jewish community.
British opposition
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett praised the news, calling Hamas “a radical Islamic organization that targets innocent Israelis and seeks to destroy Israel.”
He wrote on Twitter:
I welcome Britain’s intention to declare Hamas a terrorist organization in its entirety—because it is just that.
Foreign Minister Yair Lapid added in a statement: “Terrorist organizations have no legal components. Any attempt to distinguish… is artificial.”
Rapid said that the move was the result of “joint efforts” by the British and Israeli governments.
If successful, flying the Hamas flag, arranging meetings with its members, or wearing clothing supporting the organization will be banned.
Politically, given the strong pro-Palestinian support of the Labour Party’s left, this may force Britain’s main opposition to take a stand against Hamas.
Earlier this month, a man appeared in court for wearing a T-shirt supporting the Hamas military department and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which was banned in the UK in 2005.
In June, 34-year-old Feras Al Jayoosi wore this dress in the Golders Green area of north London, where there are a large number of Jews.
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