Israel has praised the United Kingdom announcement to designate the whole of Hamas as a terror organisation.
Foreign Minister Yair Lapid thanked the UK Home Secretary Priti Patel after she announced on Friday that the UK government will proscribe the terror group’s so-called political.
“This is an important and significant decision that gives British security bodies additional tools to prevent the continued buildup of the Hamas terror organization, including in Britain,” Lapid said.
“There is no legitimate part to a terror organization and any attempt to separate parts of a terror organization is artificial,” the foreign minister added.
The decision was also greeted by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.
“Hamas is a terror organization, plain and simple. The ‘political wing’ enables its military activity. The same terrorists — only in suits,” Bennett tweeted.
Bennett thanked his counterpart, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson for his “leadership on the subject.”
Thousands of CUFI supporters have contacted their MP in recent months, joining calls for Hamas to be banned in its entirety. In 2001, the UK Home Office proscribed only its military wing as a terror group, leaving its so-called political wing operating freely.
The proscription makes it a criminal offence to be a member of, or invite support for the group, with those found guilty facing up to 14 years in prison.
Why Israel?
Free Ebook
Why Israel answers the critical questions and presents the essential reasons why Israel matters to God, to Christians and to the world.
FREE booklet:
Britain’s stand with Israel – 12 actions CUFI would like the UK to take
Subscribe to start receiving FREE TORCH magazines from CUFI UK
