Jerusalem: Britain will sue Palestinian extremist group Hamas As a terrorist organization, its interior ministry said on Friday, a move that would bring its position on Gaza’s rulers in line with that of the United States and the European Union.
The organization would be banned under the Terrorism Act and that anyone expressing support for Hamas, flying its flag or arranging meetings for the organization would be in violation of the law, as the ministry rightly said.
The Times newspaper said Home Minister Priti Patel would announce the move in Washington and table it in parliament next week.
So far, Britain has only banned the military wing of Hamas – the Izz al-Din al-Qassam brigade.
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett welcomed reports of the decision. In a Twitter post, he said, “Hamas is a terrorist organization, simply put. The ‘political branch’ enables its military activity. Same terrorists – only in suits.”
A Hamas official in Gaza said it would wait for an official announcement from Britain before issuing a response.
Hamas is a branch of the Muslim Brotherhood. Established in 1987, it opposes the existence of Israel, and opposes peace talks, instead advocating “armed resistance” against Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories.
The most recent outbreak of violence was an 11-day conflict in May, in which Palestinian officials say Israeli airstrikes on Gaza killed 250 people, including 66 children. Israeli officials say 13 people, including two children, were killed by terrorist rockets in Israel.
‘Strengthening relationships’
Interior Minister Patel was forced to resign as Britain’s international development secretary in 2017 after she failed to disclose meetings with senior Israeli officials during a private holiday in the country.
He met then Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Bennett’s predecessor and then opposition leader Yair Lapid.
Lapid, now Israel’s foreign minister, described the expected decision on Hamas as “part of strengthening ties with Britain”.
Israel and the United States all regard Hamas as a terrorist organization. It is on the US list of designated foreign terrorist organizations. The European Union also considers it a terrorist movement.
Based in Gaza, Hamas won the 2006 Palestinian parliamentary election by defeating its nationalist rival Fatah. He captured military control of Gaza the following year.
The organization would be banned under the Terrorism Act and that anyone expressing support for Hamas, flying its flag or arranging meetings for the organization would be in violation of the law, as the ministry rightly said.
The Times newspaper said Home Minister Priti Patel would announce the move in Washington and table it in parliament next week.
So far, Britain has only banned the military wing of Hamas – the Izz al-Din al-Qassam brigade.
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett welcomed reports of the decision. In a Twitter post, he said, “Hamas is a terrorist organization, simply put. The ‘political branch’ enables its military activity. Same terrorists – only in suits.”
A Hamas official in Gaza said it would wait for an official announcement from Britain before issuing a response.
Hamas is a branch of the Muslim Brotherhood. Established in 1987, it opposes the existence of Israel, and opposes peace talks, instead advocating “armed resistance” against Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories.
The most recent outbreak of violence was an 11-day conflict in May, in which Palestinian officials say Israeli airstrikes on Gaza killed 250 people, including 66 children. Israeli officials say 13 people, including two children, were killed by terrorist rockets in Israel.
‘Strengthening relationships’
Interior Minister Patel was forced to resign as Britain’s international development secretary in 2017 after she failed to disclose meetings with senior Israeli officials during a private holiday in the country.
He met then Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Bennett’s predecessor and then opposition leader Yair Lapid.
Lapid, now Israel’s foreign minister, described the expected decision on Hamas as “part of strengthening ties with Britain”.
Israel and the United States all regard Hamas as a terrorist organization. It is on the US list of designated foreign terrorist organizations. The European Union also considers it a terrorist movement.
Based in Gaza, Hamas won the 2006 Palestinian parliamentary election by defeating its nationalist rival Fatah. He captured military control of Gaza the following year.
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