Britain to Designate Hamas As a Terror Group

British Home Secretary Priti Patel announced on November 19 that she is designating Hamas in its entirety as a terror organization.

Previously, only Hamas’ military wing had been considered a terror group in the United Kingdom; now the political wing would fall under that designation. The designation has to be approved by parliament, which the UK government hopes will happen by November 26. Should the approval happen, anyone who voices support for Hamas could face up to 14 years in prison, according to the Associated Press (AP).

“This is an important step, especially for the Jewish community,” Patel said in a speech. “Hamas is fundamentally and rabidly antisemitic.”

Anshel Pfeffer, who writes for Haaretz and The Economist, noted in a tweet that the designation “will have major implications on Hamas’ financial operations of which London has long been a hub (and a home to some key Hamas operatives as well).”

The UK government’s decision to designate also the political wing of Hamas as a terror organisation will have major implications on Hamas’ financial operations of which London has long been a hub (and a home to some key Hamas operatives as well)

— Anshel Pfeffer אנשיל פפר (@AnshelPfeffer) November 19, 2021

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett praised the UK in a tweet. “Hamas is a radical Islamic group that targets innocent Israelis & seeks Israel’s destruction. I welcome the UK’s intention to declare Hamas a terrorist organization in its entirety — because that’s exactly what it is. Thank you to my friend @BorisJohnson for your leadership.”

Hamas is a radical Islamic group that targets innocent Israelis & seeks Israel's destruction.

I welcome the UK’s intention to declare Hamas a terrorist organization in its entirety — because that’s exactly what it is.

Thank you to my friend @BorisJohnson for your leadership.

— Naftali Bennett בנט (@naftalibennett) November 19, 2021

Jewish groups also praised the UK.

“Full proscription ends the dangerous loophole via which this terrorist organisation can spread its extremist poison here and raise funds and support in the UK,” Board of Deputies of British Jews President Marie van der Zyl said in a statement. “Hamas regularly espouses violent ideology and grotesque antisemitism. It is responsible for countless terror attacks including suicide bombings, the murder of Israeli citizens and others, the use of Palestinian civilians as human shields, repression of political opponents, women, and LGBT people.

“We are immensely grateful that it will no longer have any safe harbour or support in the UK. We thank the Prime Minister, the Home Secretary, and the Government for this decisive action in tackling extremism.”

The Community Security Trust, a UK nonprofit dedicated to providing Jews with security, also said in a statement that “Hamas is a terrorist organization dedicated to the destruction of the world’s only Jewish state” that spreads antisemitic propaganda. “Their UK-based supporters have made pro-Palestinian campaigning in this country more radical and extreme. It is entirely correct that the political activities that support their murderous terrorism have no place here.”

CST welcomes the announcement that support for the terrorist organisation Hamas will become illegal pic.twitter.com/zSHdjXYLAV

— CST (@CST_UK) November 19, 2021

Muslims Against Antisemitism tweeted, “Too many times we have seen pictures of U.K. activists & even elected politicians meeting people like Hamas’ Ismail [Haniyeh]. It finally must & will stop because of this action.”

Hamas to be banned as terror group.

Too many times we have seen pictures of U.K. activists & even elected politicians meeting people like Hamas’ Ismail Haniye. It finally must & will stop because of this action. https://t.co/efq6yvQbCm

— Muslims Against Antisemitism (MAAS) (@MAAS_UK) November 19, 2021

StandWithUs Israel Executive Director Michael Dickson tweeted, “Hamas have been responsible for grisly and brutal terror attacks that have maimed and murdered Brits as well as many others.”

Hamas finally to be fully banned as terror group in the UK. Supporting Hamas or meeting its members to carry a prison sentence. Hamas have been responsible for grisly and brutal terror attacks that have maimed and murdered Brits as well as many others. https://t.co/S7IeG8jrIP

— Michael Dickson (@michaeldickson) November 19, 2021

The American Jewish Committee (AJC) commended the UK and called other countries to join them in a tweet; in another tweet, the AJC shared a video highlighting Hamas’ “genocidal agenda.”

BREAKING: UK Home Sec. @PritiPatel has announced that the UK will designate Hamas as a terrorist organization in its entirety, making support of the group punishable by up to ten years in prison.

We commend 🇬🇧 for its leadership and urge other countries to take similar action. https://t.co/HbfmzZnT3F

— American Jewish Committee (@AJCGlobal) November 19, 2021

Death to Jews.
Death to Israel.

Hamas makes no secret of its genocidal agenda.

Hear Hamas in its own words. pic.twitter.com/CVuPtp2wef

— American Jewish Committee (@AJCGlobal) November 19, 2021

The European Leadership Network’s British affiliate tweeted, “Terrorist organisation Hamas is committed to the annihilation of the world’s only Jewish state & causes immense suffering to Palestinians. The UK Government is absolutely right to ban activities that support them & ELNET UK welcomes this announcement.”

Terrorist organisation Hamas is committed to the annihilation of the world's only Jewish state & causes immense suffering to Palestinians. The UK Government is absolutely right to ban activities that support them & ELNET UK welcomes this announcement #Hamas #Terrorism

— ELNET_UK (@ElnetUk) November 19, 2021

Stop Antisemitism tweeted, “Between Justin Bieber and being designated a terror group in the UK, Hamas isn’t having a good week,” referencing the fact that Hamas called on Bieber to cancel his October 2022 concert in Tel Aviv.

Between Justin Bieber and being designated a terror group in the UK, Hamas isn't having a good week.

— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) November 19, 2021

Hamas voiced outrage against the UK government’s move, charging that it’s part of the UK’s effort to engage in “aggression against the Palestinians, per the AP.”