Hamas is contesting its designation as a terrorist organisation (Image: Getty)
Hamas has vowed to launch legal action against its proscription as a terror group, prompting widespread outrage.
The Palestinian militant group instructed British lawyers to challenge the designation, arguing it was a “political” decision by former Home Secretary Dame Priti Patel.
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Critics branded Hamas a "despicable terrorist organisation" which "kidnaps, tortures and murders people, including British nationals".
Riverway Law, an immigration firm based in Streatham, south London, has confirmed it has begun legal proceedings against the Home Office. The firm said on Wednesday: “Today, Fahad Ansari of Riverway Law launches an important legal application to Yvette Cooper MP to end the ban on the organisation Harakat al-Muqawwamah al-Islamiyyah (Hamas).”
But Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel said: “Hamas is an evil Iranian-backed terrorist organisation, which kidnaps, tortures and murders people, including British nationals.
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"They pose an ongoing threat to our security and to the peace and stability of the Middle East and they have weapons and training facilities that put lives at risk and threaten our interests. They show no respect for human rights, life and dignity and have oppressed people living in Gaza for too long.
“Those campaigning to end the proscription of Hamas fail to understand the seriousness of the threats and danger this terrorist organisation poses.
“Eighteen months ago, Hamas carried out the worst terror attack in Israel’s history and the most murderous pogrom against the Jewish people since the Holocaust.
“It continues to hold 59 innocent hostages in cruel captivity. Nobody should be in any doubt about the true nature and intentions of Hamas.”
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp blasted: “Hamas is a despicable terrorist organisation who deliberately organised and carried out mass murder, rape and kidnap of innocent children, women and men on October 7, 2023.
“They are responsible for many terrorist atrocities and brutally oppressing the people of Gaza. They should be proscribed, and this legal claim should be dismissed.
“The fact that lawyers are seriously arguing our weak human rights laws could be twisted to protect murderous terrorists shows why these laws are no longer fit for purpose.
“Human rights laws should protect our citizens – not foreign criminals and possibly even terrorists.”
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick said: "Just over a year ago Hamas killed the largest number of Jewish people since the Holocaust. They still won’t return 59 hostages.
"It’s sickening that a UK law firm thinks there are arguments for their ban to be lifted. It comes as no surprise this firm specialises in immigration cases."
Dr Paul Stott, Head of Security and Extremism at Policy Exchange: "It is hard to know whether to laugh or cry at this news.
"It is only 18 months since we were watching TV footage of civilians being shot in the streets, and abducted from a music festival, by Hamas terrorists.
"Not even babies, pensioners or Thai farm labourers were spared. Given how clogged up our legal system is, it is to be hoped little time is wasted in filing this nonsense where it belongs - in the bin."
The legal challenge will prompt outrage (Image: Getty)
Announcing the action, Riverway Law claimed: “The right to resist occupation, apartheid and genocide is firmly entrenched in international law.
“Like them or loathe them, Hamas is the manifestation of the Palestinian resistance.
“By banning it, Britain is effectively denying Palestinians the right to defend themselves against extermination."
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In 2021, then-home secretary Ms Patel argued it was not possible to distinguish between Hamas’s political and military wings. She called Hamas “fundamentally and rabidly antisemitic”, adding the proscription was required to protect the Jewish community.
Hamas said in its legal submission: “Hamas does not deny that its actions fall within the wide definition of ‘terrorism’ under the Terrorism Act 2000. Instead, it notes that the definition also covers all groups and organisations around the world that use violence to achieve political objectives, including the Israeli armed forces, the Ukrainian army and, indeed, the British armed forces.
“Of course, not all such groups are proscribed as ultimately that is a question of discretion for the Secretary of State ... Transition to a political process is hindered by the terrorism label, as talking with terrorists is a taboo.”
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