If Jeremy Corbyn ever again cheers for Hamas, he could spend a decade behind bars.
The former Labour leader will be considered a terrorist under the measures announced today if he continues to support the Palestinian group.
Today’s move will see Home Secretary Priti Patel banning Hamas’s political wing as a terrorist organisation.
It was treated different from the military wing it is affiliated with, which was illegal in the UK for 20 years.
Successive governments have hesitated about taking similar steps against the political wings. It is possible that Miss Patel, who will be visiting Washington in the coming weeks, will alter this approach.
Mr Corbyn described Hamas as ‘friends’ in 2009 and later invited members to Parliament. Later, he apologized for using that expression.
Mr Corbyn described Hamas as ‘friends’ in 2009 and later invited members to Parliament. He later regretted the use of that term.
Miss Patel said last night: ‘This should be a very strong message to anyone who thinks it’s OK to support an organisation like Hamas.’
Under the measures, being a member of Hamas’ political wing, inviting support for it or arranging a meeting backing it will carry up to ten years in prison.
Hamas will allow you to wear Hamas-badged clothes and display its flag for as long as six months. These measures, which are expected to be passed in the Commons within days or even weeks from now, will be described.
In a major speech on security in Washington, Miss Patel is set to say Hamas ‘has long been involved in significant terrorist violence.
“But Hamas’ current listing makes it difficult to distinguish between the different sections of the organisation. The listing should be updated accordingly.
Today’s move will see Home Secretary Priti Patel (pictured) banning Hamas’s political wing as a terrorist organisation
“This is a significant step especially for the Jewish Community. Hamas is fundamentally, and rabidly antisemitic.
‘Anti-Semitism is an enduring evil which I will never tolerate.’
Miss Patel exhorted Labour to vote in support of the Hamas-related measures in Parliament.
Marie van der Zyl, of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said: ‘The proscription ends the dangerous loophole via which this terrorist organisation can spread its extremist poison here and raise funds and support in the UK.
‘Hamas regularly espouses violent jihad and grotesque anti-Semitism.’
A spokesman for Mr Corbyn, who now sits as an independent MP, said: ‘He has never been a supporter of Hamas but recognises the need to bring all sides together for dialogue to promote security, peace and justice.’ He is pictured above in Tunisia in 2014
A spokesman for Mr Corbyn, who now sits as an independent MP, said: ‘He has never been a supporter of Hamas but recognises the need to bring all sides together for dialogue to promote security, peace and justice.’
Although Corbyn met with Hamas senior officials in Jerusalem in 2010, it was claimed that he didn’t meet one Jewish Israeli.
Labour later defended the trip, saying he was ‘engaging with actors in the conflict to support peace and justice in the Middle East. That is the right thing to do.’