Statement on the European Union’s designation of Hamas

The Board of Deputies of British Jews believes that the decision taken by the European Union General Court to remove Hamas from the European Union’s list of officially designated terror organisations is unacceptable and an affront to the values of Europe.

The aims and ideology of Hamas, as well as the methods it uses in pursuit of these aims are all abundantly clear. The Hamas charter itself calls for the destruction of the State of Israel and exalts martyrdom and death.

Vice President of the Board Alex Brummer said: “There is no room for complacency over any slippage in the designation of Hamas as a terrorist organisation. As was seen during Operation Protective Edge Hamas will go to any lengths to attack civilian populations in Israel including the embedding of weapons systems in or near to schools and hospitals. It would be a matter of extreme concern if British taxpayers’ funds, administered through the Department for International Development, were to find their way directly into Hamas hands as a result of the ruling by the EU Court.

We don’t want this ruling, however tentative, to prove the thin end of the wedge as Hamas seeks to enhance its legitimacy.”