EU court takes Hamas off terrorist organisations list

[webfact]

EU court takes Hamas off terrorist organisations list

(BBC) The General Court of the European Union has annulled the bloc's decision to keep the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas on a list of terrorist groups.

The decision had been based not on an examination of Hamas' actions, but on "factual imputations derived from the press and the internet", judges found.

But it said a funding freeze from being blacklisted can continue for three months or until an appeal was closed.

Hamas dominates Gaza and fought a 50-day war with Israel in the summer.

Full story: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-30511569


-- BBC 2014-12-17

[JetsetBkk]

Another reason to break all links with that ridiculous entity, the EU.

[lee b]

What on earth are they thinking? Why not take ISIS off the list as well !

[Ulysses G.]

That will be next. They are carrying on the traditions of Neville Chamberlain.

[Morch]

Nothing to get excited about.

A similar ruling was made a while back with regard to the Tamil Tigers (http://ca.reuters.com/article/idCAKCN0I51NG20141016).

The Hamas just followed suit when the Sri Lanka issue went through, this been in the works for a while. It has more to do with procedure relating to the way the decision was taken. As can be noted from the OP, nothing effectively changes, and the EU will re-affirm Hamas's status as a terrorist organization within the time frame given.

The bigger news would be the European Parliament vote on recognizing Palestine, which ended up, in true European style, with a sort of compromise - http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/16/us-israel-palestinians-eu-idUSKBN0JU1TY20141216

[Steely Dan]

Read Eurabia and such idiocy makes perfect sense. Who next, ISIS perhaps?

[Morch]

For those with reading difficulties, and those who stop reading after the headline....

The court said the move was technical and was not a reassessment of Hamas' classification as a terrorist group.

It said a funding freeze on the group would continue for the time being.

[gamini]

what is the diffrence berween the French resistance against the German occupiers of thier country during world war 2 and Hamas who are fighting Israili occupiers of thier country The German occupiers called the French resistance "terrorists"..In the same way the Isrealis call Hamas "terrorists". Double standards!!

[Morch]

what is the diffrence berween the French resistance against the German occupiers of thier country during world war 2 and Hamas who are fighting Israili occupiers of thier country The German occupiers called the French resistance "terrorists"..In the same way the Isrealis call Hamas "terrorists". Double standards!!

Perhaps it got something to do with Hamas mainly targeting Israeli civilians, while the French Resistance actions had more to do with the German army.

[marquisdesade]

Are they out of their minds !? did they not see the militant parade they had just last week ? the islamification of europe rolls on ! when are the Europeans going to wake up ? after the muslims have destroyed all of Europe.

[up-country_sinclair]

Great news.

The tide has turned, and only Israel and its apologists seem determined to pretend it hasn't.

The world has had enough, and this is only the beginning.

[konying]

Great news.

The tide has turned, and only Israel and its apologists seem determined to pretend it hasn't.

The world has had enough, and this is only the beginning.

Totally agree, Australia has just experienced the religion of peace, so did Pakistan .

Indeed tide is turning

[arjunadawn]

Of course they are taking Hamas off the list, it is the closest thing they can do to placing Israel on some list. The vehement antisemitism of the EU will increasingly manifest as sycophants for the Islamic Conference, which pretty much props up EU with oil money. EU will go down in history as the most spineless example of a civilization actually building the damn wooden horse they then celebrate around, drunk with hubris, and self promotion.

"A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly. But the traitor moves amongst those within the gate freely, his sly whispers rustling through all the alleys, heard in the very halls of government itself. For the traitor appears not a traitor; he speaks in accents familiar to his victims, and he wears their face and their arguments, he appeals to the baseness that lies deep in the hearts of all men. He rots the soul of a nation, he works secretly and unknown in the night to undermine the pillars of the city, he infects the body politic so that it can no longer resist. A murderer is less to fear. The traitor is the plague." Marcus Cicero

[Docno]

what is the diffrence berween the French resistance against the German occupiers of thier country during world war 2 and Hamas who are fighting Israili occupiers of thier country The German occupiers called the French resistance "terrorists"..In the same way the Isrealis call Hamas "terrorists". Double standards!!

So what do you make of Hamas firing rockets without provocation into civilian areas of Israel with no intent beyond creating panic and terror? I don't think the French Resistance strategically targeted German civilians, but I'm willing to be shown I'm wrong on this...please do.

[Morch]

Posters condemning or congratulating the EU ought to read the the full article, and if that is not enough, Goggle is always there for you.

Two words: Teacup, Storm.

Statement by the Spokesperson on the judgement of the General Court of the EU on Hamas

We respect the General Court of the European Union's judgement delivered today annulling measures against Hamas, namely the designation of Hamas as a terrorist organisation and the freezing of Hamas' funds.

This legal ruling is clearly based on procedural grounds and it does not imply any assessment by the Court of the substantive reasons for the designation of Hamas as a terrorist organisation. It is a legal ruling of a court, not a political decision taken by the EU governments. The EU continues to uphold the Quartet principles.

The EU institutions are studying carefully the ruling and will decide on the options open to them. They will, in due course, take appropriate remedial action, including any eventual appeal to the ruling. In case of an appeal the restrictive measures remain in place

http://eeas.europa.eu/statements-eeas/2014/141217_01_en.htm

[Morch]

There is a whole history behind the 'creation' of the state of Israel and a lot of it aint pretty. The Israelis are no saints in all this and currently in complete violation of international treaties are occupying parts of Palestine. What would you do if your country was invaded and illegally occupied by a much stronger (militarily speaking) neighbour who, incidentally, brought a totally different way of life and religion with them. Does this remind you of anywhere else in the world, now up in arms (think Islamisation), and we let them in legally! The Israelis, backed by and funded by the USA (also mainly now controlled by Jews) are the bully boys of the region.

The OP is dealing with the Hamas, not with all of the Palestinians, not even with the PA.

[UDONJIM]

Yes, sorry if I got off the thread a bit. I was basically making the point to posters who think some evil may be committed by potentially taking Hamas off the terrorist list that this may be the thin edge of the wedge and ISIS may be next. Whether anyone agrees or not with Hammas' actions, they have some justification. Unlike ISIS who IMHO have none.

[EnglishJohn]

Those who fire weapons at specific targets are fighting a war - even if collateral damage takes place as it always has and always will.

Those who launch unguided rockets at densely populated residential areas are terrorists. Those who send children to markets in suicide jackets are terrorists. Those who use children as human shields to deter attacks are terrorists.

Israel has evolved to be tough because their neighbours make no secret that they would like to exterminate every last one of them. I would love to see how some of the armchair critics here would behave if placed in the same situation : probably hide under a table and cry I expect.

[Steely Dan]

For those with reading difficulties, and those who stop reading after the headline....

The court said the move was technical and was not a reassessment of Hamas' classification as a terrorist group.

It said a funding freeze on the group would continue for the time being.

Nothing happens in a vacuum. Look at the history of the E.U reluctance in putting Hezbollah on a terror list, or the U.S doing likewise with Boko Haram. Europe has form shall we say, providing refuge to radicals and turning a blind eye to the funding of terrorist groups. Some E.U money even finds its way into their hands.

[cookee68]

Another reason to break all links with that ridiculous entity, the EU.

So very very true, no wonder people vote UKIP, that's who I will vote for if it gets us out of the EU

[konying]

-jean-pierre-jacquot ARE YOU JUST THAT UNEDUCATED or are you just never mind

He is both of those. Thanks for saving me the time to write this.

Oh I love how you guys spit out your hate against French people and non-US adherents. These reactions are self-explanatory and you guys even don't realize it....

Define French

[Morch]

Yes, sorry if I got off the thread a bit. I was basically making the point to posters who think some evil may be committed by potentially taking Hamas off the terrorist list that this may be the thin edge of the wedge and ISIS may be next. Whether anyone agrees or not with Hammas' actions, they have some justification. Unlike ISIS who IMHO have none.

IS pretty much claims that national borders are meaningless, especially in reference to borders decided upon by foreign powers. Hamas's claim is pretty much the same, albeit of a smaller scope. Both organizations cannot be fully said to be the actual voice of the populations they assume to represent. Both base their ideology on Islam.

Even if one wanted to claim "some justification", it would still be hard to make it stick as an explanation of routinely carrying out terrorist attacks against civilians.

[dexterm]

I think the Israel military have killed thousands more Palestinians than Hamas have killed Israelis.

However let us not let the facts get in the way of good propaganda.

Are you going to delete your own post, then?

Because scrolling up to the OP, the topic is about Hamas (not the IDF) and the EU (not Israel).

The number of casualties is hardly the issue. Getting designated as a terrorist organization is more to do with the manner

in which casualties are caused.

While on the subject on propaganda - since when is Hamas equated with "Palestinians" as a whole?

That's pretty disingenuous to attempt to exclude the elephant in the room, Israel, out any discussion regarding Hamas.

You yourself mentioned Hamas attacking civilians.. so who are you implying they attacked?

[Morch]

For those with reading difficulties, and those who stop reading after the headline....

The court said the move was technical and was not a reassessment of Hamas' classification as a terrorist group.

It said a funding freeze on the group would continue for the time being.

Nothing happens in a vacuum. Look at the history of the E.U reluctance in putting Hezbollah on a terror list, or the U.S doing likewise with Boko Haram. Europe has form shall we say, providing refuge to radicals and turning a blind eye to the funding of terrorist groups. Some E.U money even finds its way into their hands.

It appears most of the posts on this topic DO happen in a vacuum, though.

The background for the current decision, its implications and probable future are details in my first post and links provided.

Basically, this is a PR stunt (or trolling) by Hamas, and nothing more.

It is explicitly mentioned that nothing has actually changed with regard to current restrictions.

Edited December 18, 2014 by Morch

[Scott]

Numerous off-topic posts and replies have been removed. This topic is about the EU and Hamas.

Stay on topic.

[dexterm]

It's good to see the EU at last rewarding Hamas for the unity government it formed back in April for peaceful negotiations.

Perhaps one day they will be able to establish a trade agreement too.

[Ulysses G.]

Basically, this is a PR stunt (or trolling) by Hamas, and nothing more.

It is explicitly mentioned that nothing has actually changed with regard to current restrictions.

Indeed. Nothing has actually changed with regard to current restrictions. It is DISHONEST to imply otherwise.

[DaffyDuck]

-jean-pierre-jacquot ARE YOU JUST THAT UNEDUCATED or are you just never mind

He is both of those. Thanks for saving me the time to write this.

Oh I love how you guys spit out your hate against French people and non-US adherents. These reactions are self-explanatory and you guys even don't realize it....

Define French

Highly unfortunate for TheFishman1, I'm about as francophone as they come, so his try of presenting this as "non French are bashing on French people in a display of some sort of racism" really just end up with Fishy eating crow...

[Morch]

It's good to see the EU at last rewarding Hamas for the unity government it formed back in April for peaceful negotiations.

Perhaps one day they will be able to establish a trade agreement too.

The EU is not rewarding the Hamas for anything. The court merely conceded that a procedural point was breached, following a similar case which served as precedent. The is clear reference to the decision not being a change of policy or status.

The Palestinian Unity government got nothing to do with it. The Palestinian Unity government is not about negotiations with Israel, but (nominally) about sorting the rift between Fatah and Hamas - something which it is still to achieve.

It is very doubtful that the EU will establish a separate trade agreement with Hamas.

[dexterm]

Basically, this is a PR stunt (or trolling) by Hamas, and nothing more.

It is explicitly mentioned that nothing has actually changed with regard to current restrictions.

Indeed. Nothing has actually changed with regard to current restrictions. It is DISHONEST to imply otherwise.

The MEP vote was 498 to 88.

"There was a standing ovation in the chamber, as many feel this is a historic moment: it's the first time that the parliament has adopted a formal position on the issue.

Several EU officials said they were surprised that the five main political groups - especially the conservatives and the socialists - had found an agreement. The Germans were particularly hard to convince."

http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-eu-30516523

...sounds a bit more than just symbolic to me.

More to come in the next 12 months.