A group of British lawyers have launched a legal application to remove Hamas from the UK's list of proscribed terrorist organisations.
The appeal, submitted on behalf of Hamas by the London-based law firm Riverway Law, said it was an "opportunity for the UK to change its course on the states historic complicity in settler colonialism."
Hamas IDQ, also known as the al-Qassam Brigades, was proscribed by the UK in March 2001 as the military wing of the group.
The group was added to the list in its entirety in 2021 by then Home Secretary, Priti Patel.
The team from Riverway Law handing in the case on behalf of the groupX/GettyThe application described Hamas as "an organised resistance movement that exercises the right of the Palestinian people to resist Zionism and colonisation, occupation, apartheid and, genocide carried out in its name."
Director of Riverway Law Fahad Ansari said the legal move was a chance for the UK to "change course" on its relationship with colonialism.
He said: "The application invites the Secretary of State to change course from Britain’s longstanding complicity in settler colonialism and apartheid dating back to the Balfour Declaration until the present day genocide."
Barrister at One Pump Court Chambers Daniel Grütters told 5Pillars: "There is an urgent need for honest, intelligent, and nuanced conversations about the situation in Palestine.
"Regardless of your opinion on Hamas, a policy which has the effect of stifling discussion is unhelpful and acts as a substantial hurdle to reaching a long-term political settlement."
LATEST ON THE WAR IN GAZA
Palestinian Hamas militants keep guard on the day Hamas hands over deceased hostages Reuters
Reuters
Hamas-led fighters attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 hostage, according to Israeli tallies.
Since then, Israeli forces have killed more than 50,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities, leaving much of the enclave in ruins. Protests have recently broken out against the group, with many calling for an end to the regime's ruling of Gaza.
According to the Home Office, Hamas has in the past used indiscriminate rocket or mortar attacks, and raids against Israeli targets and launched summer camps in Gaza which focus on training groups, including minors, to fight.
In a press statement, Hamas described the aim of these camps as to "ignite the embers of Jihad in the liberation generation, cultivate Islamic values and prepare the expected victory army to liberate Palestine."
Palestinians sit amid rubble of houses, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip
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Palestinians protest to demand an end to war, chanting anti-Hamas slogans, in Beit Lahiya
Reuters
A spokesman from Riverway Law told GB News: "We are instructed by Hamas to make today’s application. The apartheid state of Israel is in the process of collapsing, and Zionism is in a terminal crisis.
"This raises profound questions about what will replace it. History seems to tell us that it will be necessary for the British and other governments to speak to people and organisations who win elections, even and especially if one disagrees with some of their values and actions.
"The application has now been submitted to the British Secretary of State, who is invited to take an important and courageous, albeit difficult step towards peace by deproscribing Hamas."
GB News has approached the Home Office for a comment.
