Forty UK-based organisations have called on the British government to delist Hamas from its official list of terrorist organisations. In a collective letter, the signatories argue that the proscription of Hamas—particularly its political wing—undermines efforts for justice in Palestine and criminalises legitimate solidarity.
The joint statement was released by groups including the Muslim Association of Britain (MAB), Friends of Al-Aqsa (FOA), and the Palestinian Forum in Britain (PFB). The organisations claim that listing Hamas as a terror group has stifled political dialogue and prevents the UK from engaging in any meaningful diplomatic process to resolve the conflict in Gaza and the broader Palestinian territories.
The letter reads: “Proscribing Hamas’ political wing obstructs any progress toward a just and lasting peace. It criminalises conversations, community activism, and advocacy efforts that challenge Israel’s occupation and aggression.”
Hamas has been designated as a terrorist organisation by the UK government since November 2021, when it extended the ban from just the military wing to the entire group, including its political arm. Critics of the decision argue that Hamas is the democratically elected authority in Gaza and any attempt to engage with Gaza’s leadership becomes legally difficult under this classification.
The 40 groups further pointed out the stark contrast in the UK’s approach to other international conflicts, where political solutions are often sought even with groups engaged in armed resistance. They emphasised that silencing Palestinian voices or branding them as extremists deepens the crisis and denies the possibility of peaceful resolution.
No formal response has yet been issued by the UK Home Office regarding the appeal.
