Patel proscribes Hamas as a terrorist organization

Home Secretary Priti Patel has this morning announced that the government regards the Palestinian Group Hamas as a terrorist organization.    She is expected to announce further details on the policy change in a speech to be given in Washington later today.

The government has this morning also laid an Order before Parliament outlawing Hamas in the UK.  Subject to approval it will come into effect on 26 November 2021.

Describing her plans on Twitter this morning, the Home Secretary said, “Hamas has significant terrorist capability, including access to extensive and sophisticated weaponry as well as terrorist training facilities”.

She continued, “This government is committed to tackling extremism and terrorism wherever it occurs”.

Hamas’ military wing was proscribed by the UK in March 2001. At the time it was the Government’s assessment that there was a distinction between the political and military wings of the group. This distinction is now assessed to be artificial, with Hamas as an organisation involved in committing, participating, preparing for, and encouraging acts of terrorism.

Under the 2000 Terrorism Act, the Home Secretary may “proscribe” an organization if she believes they are connected with terrorism.  There are currently 78 terrorist organisations proscribed in the UK.

By proscribing Hamas as a terrorist organization in this way, it will become a criminal offence to either belong to, or invite support for Hamas.   Breaking the law in this regard could lead to imprisonment or a fine.

Wearing clothing that is seen to support Hamas could also fall under this definition.

The move was welcomed by the Conservative MP for Bury South, Christian Wakeford who described the move on Twitter as “hugely welcome news” that was a “big step in countering extremism across the globe”.

In the past the former Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn  has received criticism for meeting with members of Hamas.  He notably met with a delegation from Hamas in Parliament in 2009.  Should he do so again, he could in theory now fall foul of Mrs Patel’s proposed changed in the law.