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UK to label entirety of Hamas as a terrorist organization
[Jpost] Since 2001 the UK has solely recognized Hamas's military wing as a terrorist organization. Now the entire apparatus is designated as such.The British Parliament is expected to pass the terror designation of Hamas' political wing into law in the coming week. Those who openly align with Hamas in Great Britain could face up to a 14-year jail sentence. The United States, Canada, the European Union, Israel, and Japan have similarly designated Hamas in its entirety as a terror organization. Australia, New Zealand, and Paraguay have only applied the terror label to Hamas's military wing. Jonathan Schanzer, senior vice president at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said that Australia was deliberating whether to similarly outlaw Hamas's political wing. "This could tip the balance in Canberra," Schanzer said. Patel is expected to address the significant policy change during a security speech she is scheduled to deliver later in the day at The Heritage Foundation in Washington. According to an excerpt from her speech, Patel will explain that “Hamas has significant terrorist capability, including access to extensive and sophisticated weaponry, as well as terrorist training facilities, and it has long been involved in significant terrorist violence." The legitimization of Hamas' political wing, "creates an artificial distinction between various parts of the organization – it is right that the listing is updated to reflect this," Patel wrote. “If we tolerate extremism, it will erode the rock of security," Patel wrote, adding that Britain's Jewish community feels especially threatened by Hamas. “This is an important step, especially for the Jewish community. Hamas is fundamentally and rabidly antisemitic. Antisemitism is an enduring evil which I will never tolerate. Jewish people routinely feel unsafe – at school, in the streets, when they worship, in their homes, and online," Patel wrote in her speech. "This step will strengthen the case against anyone who waves a Hamas flag in the United Kingdom, an act that is bound to make Jewish people feel unsafe. Anyone who supports or invites support for a proscribed organization is breaking the law. That now includes Hamas in whatever form it takes," she added. Posted by: Skidmark 2021-11-19 |
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