Jeremy Corbyn faces TEN YEARS in jail if he meets his ‘friends’ from Hamas again under new measures to treat supporters of the Palestinian group as terrorists
- Former Labour leader faces decade in jail if he ever meets Hamas ‘friends’ again
- Home Secretary bans Palestinian group’s political arm as a ‘terror organisation’
- New measures would see Mr Corbyn treated as a terrorist if he supports group
Jeremy Corbyn faces up to a decade in jail if he ever acts as a cheerleader for Hamas again.
Under measures being announced today, the former Labour leader would be treated as a terrorist if he supports the Palestinian group in future.
Today’s move will see Home Secretary Priti Patel banning Hamas’s political wing as a terrorist organisation.
Until now it has been treated differently from its military wing, which was outlawed in the UK 20 years ago.
Successive governments have hesitated over taking similar action against the political wing. But Miss Patel will say that approach will change during a visit to Washington.
Mr Corbyn described Hamas as ‘friends’ in 2009 and later invited members to Parliament. Afterwards he said he regretted using the term.
Mr Corbyn described Hamas as ‘friends’ in 2009 and later invited members to Parliament. Afterwards he said he regretted using the 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.
Wearing Hamas-badged clothing or displaying its flag will carry up to six months. It is understood the measures will be outlined in the Commons today and are expected to become law within days or weeks.
In a major speech on security in Washington, Miss Patel is set to say Hamas ‘has long been involved in significant terrorist violence.
‘But the current listing of Hamas creates an artificial distinction between various parts of the organisation. It is right that the listing is updated to reflect this.
Today’s move will see Home Secretary Priti Patel (pictured) banning Hamas’s political wing as a terrorist organisation
‘This is an important step, especially for the Jewish community. Hamas is fundamentally and rabidly anti-Semitic.
‘Anti-Semitism is an enduring evil which I will never tolerate.’
Miss Patel urged Labour to support the Hamas 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.’
In 2010 Mr Corbyn held talks with senior Hamas officials in Jerusalem, but it was claimed he did not meet a single 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.’
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