has today (19 November) laid
before Parliament an order to outlaw the militant Islamist
terrorist movement Hamas in its entirety from the UK.
Hamas is an organisation which calls for the establishment of a
Islamic Palestinian state under Sharia law and has repeatedly
called for the destruction of Israel. It has long been involved
in significant terrorist violence.
The organisation’s military wing is already banned in the UK but
following a new assessment the Home Secretary has concluded it
should be proscribed in its entirety. This action will support
efforts to protect the British public and the international
community in the global fight against terrorism. Hamas is already
listed in its entirety by the United States and European Union.
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.
Today Home Secretary will give a keynote speech on
security and counter terrorism at the Heritage Foundation in
Washington DC.
She will say:
Today the UK Government has laid an order in Parliament to
proscribe Hamas in its entirety - including its political wing.
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.
Hamas commits, participates, prepares for and promotes and
encourages terrorism. If we tolerate extremism, it will erode the
rock of security.
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.
Proscribing organisations in the UK makes it difficult for
extremists to operate. As well as criminalising membership and
support, it supports the takedown of online content.
Hamas is one of 78 terrorist groups proscribed in the UK and the
third proscription order laid by the Home Secretary within the
last year.
The Home Secretary’s decision to proscribe Hamas follows advice
from the Proscription Review Group, which brings together experts
from across Government including representatives from operational
partners and the intelligence community.
The proscription order laid before Parliament on 19 November will
now be debated and, subject to approval, will come into force on
26 November.
