Hamas, Islamic Jihad condemn UK over designation of resistance groups as a “terrorist organizations”

The Palestinian resistance movements Hamas and Islamic Jihad denounced Britain’s decision to designate Hamas as a “terrorist organization”, calling on London to end its support for the Zionist regime’s crimes.

In a statement on Friday, Hamas described the move as continuation of Britain’s previous stupidities.

It said that instead of apologizing to the Palestinian nation and correcting its historical errors and injustices against the nation, Britain is supporting the aggressors and occupiers against the oppressed.

Hamas underlined that resistance against occupiers by all possible means, including armed resistance, is a legitimate rights of nations according to international laws.

Enumerating the Israeli regime’s crimes against Palestinians, the statement said the Palestinian nation will continue its path toward freedom and liberation of its lands.

It also called on all nations and supporters of Palestine to condemn the British move against Hamas.

In a separate statement, the Islamic Jihad movement regretted that instead of making up for its past mistakes, Britain adopts hostile stances against Palestine.

It reiterated the legitimacy of the Palestinian nation’s resistance and strongly condemned the blacklisting of Hamas.

Resistance is the right of Palestinian people and support for occupiers by oppressive and hypocritical governments will have no effect on the resolve of Palestinians to counter occupation, the movement stated.

The British government announced on Friday that it intended to label Hamas “a terrorist organization”, joining the United States, Canada and the European Union in fully banning the Gaza-based Palestinian resistance group, which plays a significant role in defending Palestinian rights against frequent Israel aggression.

London has since 2001 banned the group’s military wing, known as the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, across the UK, but it is the first time that the British government sets to ban Hamas’ political wing.

Earlier on Friday, British Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted that she had “acted to proscribe Hamas in its entirety”, saying there is no difference between the group’s military and political wings.

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Upon parliamentary approval, which is expected within the week, the ban, under the UK’s Terrorism Act of 2000, would make it illegal across the UK to be a member of Hamas, express support for the resistance movement, meet with Hamas members, arrange meetings with its members, fly its flag or even wear clothing indicating support for the group.

Supporters will face a fine or a maximum of 14 years in prison.

Founded in 1987, Hamas is the largest Palestinian resistance movement. Since 2007, it has ruled the besieged Gaza Strip and has since defended the impoverished enclave against four major Israeli wars, including the most recent 11-day conflict that ended in an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire in May.