Britian Classifies Hizb'allah, Hamas as 'Terrorists'
Monday, August 28, 2000 (12:00 am)
Britian Classifies Hizb'allah, Hamas as 'Terrorists'
Britain designated 21 groups as "terrorist" this week under a new anti-terrorism law designed to halt funding and support for militant groups based in the United Kingdom.
Among the groups on the list were Osama bin Laden's Al-Qaida, Hizb'Allah, Islamic Jihad, Hamas, and Abu Nidal's organization. Home Secretary Jack Straw's written notification that the 21 groups had been added to the country's terrorist organization list will be debated in the coming weeks by Parliament.
Britain's Terrorism Act 2000 came into force last week, replacing legislation aimed primarily at containing the 30-year conflict in Northern Ireland. The London area has a large concentration of Muslims, and authorities are concerned some are using the British banking industry's global outreach to channel funds to terrorist groups in the Middle East. The new law makes it an offense to belong to any of the banned groups or to support or raise funds for them. It imposed substantial fines along with, or in place of, prison sentences up to 10 years for those convicted in British courts.
However, Britain will continue to allow Hamas and Hizb'Allah to raise funds for humanitarian purposes, since the laws only cover the terrorist wings of these organizations. Straw wrote that the Hizb'Allah is active in Britain and its members are in contact with the foreign relations section of the organization in Lebanon. As for Hamas, Straw reported to the House that it conducts fund raising activities through charities based in Britain.
Used with Permission from International Christian Embassy Jerusalem.
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