Palestinian groups denounce UK's intention to label Hamas 'terrorist organization'

By Muhammed Macid

GAZA, Palestine (AA) - Palestinian groups early Saturday denounced the UK’s intention to label Hamas a "terrorist organization."

In a statement, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) said the decision targeted the legitimate resistance of the Palestinian people and was a continuation of the British hostility toward Palestinians.

The PFLP asked the UK to abandon the pro-Israel resolution and its hostility.

The Islamic Jihad Movement described the decision as "an unjust and hostile decision that only serves Zionist Israel."

"Resistance is the legitimate right of the Palestinian people, and Palestinian forces will continue to exercise this right, no matter how unjust and hypocritical governments are on the side of the occupier," is said in a statement.

The Palestinian Mujahideen Movement said the decision is part of the West's hostility toward Palestinian people, their cause and resistance.

It said the pro-Israel decision by the UK allowed Israel to continue its crimes against Palestinian people.

The Palestinian National Initiative Movement described the decision as an unfair move by the Boris Johnson government, which deepened Israeli racist bias.

It was noted that the decision squandered the opportunity for a just peace, was an attack on international law and the right of the Palestinian people to defend their national rights and was subordination to the dictates of Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.

The Palestine Liberation Front said the decision meant crossing the moral boundaries for one of the components of the Palestinian resistance and asked the British government to step back.

It demanded that Britain correct its mistake and recognize the rights of the Palestinian state and the Palestinian people.

British Home Secretary Priti Patel on Friday called the Palestinian resistance movement "fundamentally and rabidly anti-Semitic," adding that it was not possible to draw a line between the group's political and military wings.

The move, which will be pushed in the UK parliament next week, could see Hamas supporters and activists face jail terms of up to 14 years.

Hamas slammed the designation as "continued aggression" on Palestinians and their rights.