The British government has announced its intention to classify the Palestinian movement Hamas as a “terrorist organisation”, justifying this on the grounds of its anti-Semitism, and noting the imposition of a ten-year prison sentence on supporters of the movement in the country, in a “significant” step, as described by the Home Office.
UK Home Secretary Priti Patel said on Friday 19 November 2021 that the Palestinian movement Hamas would be banned and classified as a “terrorist organisation” as part of a new crackdown on antisemitism.
Patel added that anyone who “recklessly” supports the movement, organises meetings to support it, invites people to support it or is a member of it, will face a 10-year prison sentence under the new laws, which will be enacted in parliament, according to the Bloomberg news agency.
Patel also said the decision would send “a very powerful message to anyone who is considering saying yes to supporting an organisation, such as Hamas. The legal change closes a loophole to allow Hamas flags to fly, promote its anti-Israel ideology, raise funds for it and publish material about it and the work of its representatives in the UK. This is an important step, particularly for the Jewish community,” said the Minister. Hamas is fundamentally anti-Semitic and rabid. Anti-Semitism is “a perpetual evil that I can never tolerate,” Patel said. “The Jewish people feel constantly, in danger in schools, in the streets (…)”.
It should be noted that the military wing of Hamas is currently banned only in Britain. It should also be noted that Hamas has been designated a banned terrorist organisation by the United States, Canada and the European Union.
Original article in French HERE
Photo source: Israel Defense Forces, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
