Palestine Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) has issued a statement on the UK Home Secretary Priti Patel's designation of Hamas as a 'terrorist organization'.

“We are shocked by some reports published by global media outlets this morning about the British home secretary Priti Patel’s threat of up to 10 years in jail to anyone who expresses support for Hamas, labeling the movement as a ‘terrorist organization’”, Hamas said, adding: “Unfortunately, the UK continues with its aggression against the Palestinian people. The UK government should have apologized for its historic sin against the Palestinian people in the shameless Balfour Declaration and the British mandate that handed Palestine to the Israeli occupation. Now, the UK government sides with the aggressor against the victim.”

Hamas underlined that the resistance against the zionist occupation with all means possible, including armed resistance, is a guaranteed right for peoples under occupation as per international law.

Hamas continued as follows: “The occupation of Palestine is terrorism. Massacres against the indigenous people and their forcible displacement are terrorism. Beleaguering more than two million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, most of them are children, for more than 15 years is terrorism, and even war crimes and crimes against humanity as described by many international and human rights organizations. Attacking holy sites and intimidating peaceful worshipers at places of worship is the essence of terrorism. Grabbing Palestinian land and establishing illegal settlements on it are the most heinous form of terrorism.

“The international community, inclusive of Britain, which is a founding member in League of Nations and later in the United Nations, should end those double standards and appalling violation of international law that they claim to protect and abide by.”

Hamas called on the UK to stop being biased towards the israeli narrative and rush to expiate their awful sin against the Palestinian people committed in the Balfour Declaration by supporting the Palestinians' struggle for liberation, independence, and return.

“On this occasion, as we denounce this decision, we call on all Palestinian factions and supporters of the Palestinian cause in Europe, in general, and Britain, in particular, to condemn the UK's decision as a continuation of its aggression on the Palestinian people and their inalienable rights, which started more than one hundred years ago.”

“Finally, the Palestinian people, backed by the Arab and Muslim nations and the free people of the world, will continue their fight for freedom and return at any cost and will not be discouraged by those who failed to support them.”

The movement also expresses its confidence that the Palestinians will fulfill their aspirations for freedom and independence sooner or later.

“This is a lesson we learn from history,” it added. (ILKHA)