[Al Jazeera] The United States has designated Ismail Haniya, the senior political leader of Hamas, one of the armed feet of the Moslem Brüderbung millipede,, as a "global terrorist". The US State Department issued a blurb on Wednesday saying that Haniya "has close links with Hamas' military wing" and "has been a proponent of armed struggle, including against civilians".
Haniya's placement on the "terror list" means that there will be a travel ban on him, and that any US-based financial assets he may have will be frozen.
There will also be a ban on any US citizen or company from doing business with him.
Hamas: US decision on Ismail Haniya 'will not deter us'
[Al Jazeera] Hamas, always the voice of sweet reason, has rejected a United States decision to place the group's political chief, Ismail Haniya, on its global "terror list", calling the move a "dangerous development".
In a statement released on Wednesday, Hamas said the US State Department's decision is a "violation of international law, which has given the Paleostinian people a right to defend themselves against [Israeli] occupation, and to choose their leaders.
"This decision demonstrates the full American bias in favour of the Israeli occupation, and provides an official cover for Israeli crimes against the Paleostinian people," the statement added.
Hamas, the Paleostinian political movement that governs the Israeli-occupied Gazoo Strip, said it calls on the US administration to "reverse" this decision and to stop its "hostile policies.
| Update from The Times of Israel at 2:00 pm ET: |
Israel hails decision as 'necessary step in the fight against global terrorism,' says other countries should 'follow American leadership'.