United Kingdom designated Hamas as a terror organization, what’s next?
November 24, 2021, 12:24 pm

United Kingdom designated Hamas as a terror organization, what’s next?

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The United Kingdom’s decision on 15th- November. 2021 designated the entirety of Hamas as a terror organization and outlaw support for the group is considered as a major blow for the Islamist group, which carries out significant fundraising there. The UK proscribed the terror group’s military wing - the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades -in 2001. But the Hamas political leadership remained technically in the clear until now.

Under the Terrorism Act 2000, the Home Secretary may proscribe an organisation if they believe it is concerned in terrorism, and it is proportionate to do. For the purposes of the Act, this means that the organisation: commits or participates in acts of terrorism, prepares for terrorism promotes or encourages terrorism (including the unlawful glorification of terrorism) is otherwise concerned in terrorism.

78 terrorist groups proscribed in the UK
Hamas is one of 78 terrorist groups proscribed in the UK and the third proscription order laid by the Home Secretary within the last year. The group's supporters could face 14 years in prison in the UK if convicted. Offenses would include flying the Hamas' flag, arranging meetings of the group or wearing clothing that supports Hamas.
Hamas has significant terrorist capability, including access to extensive and sophisticated weaponry, as well as terrorist training facilities. And it has long been involved in significant terrorist violence,” Patel said.The legitimization of Hamas’s political wing “creates an artificial distinction between various parts of the organization – it is right that the listing is updated to reflect this,” she stated.
Priti Patel , home secretary ,told reporters on 19th-November 2021 in Washington DC: “We’ve taken the view that we can no longer disaggregate the sort of military and political side.“It’s based upon a wide range of intelligence, information and also links to terrorism. The severity of that speaks for itself.”

Hamas reacted by saying the decision shows bias towards Israel. By contrast, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett welcomed the decision "to declare Hamas a terrorist organisation in its entirety, because that's exactly what it is."Yair Lapid, the foreign minister of Israel, called the decision the outcome of "joint efforts" in the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

“Jeremy Corbyn” in critical position
The implications of the ban were made clear when the Daily Mail gloated, “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.”In 2009, Corbyn, who has been stripped of his membership of the Parliamentary Labour Party and now sits as an independent MP, described Hamas as “friends” in 2009 during an appeal for dialogue, stating after being attacked that he regretted using the term.

A total of 31 late-stage terror plots have been foiled in the UK in the past four years, the head of MI5 has said. Director general Ken McCallum, who revealed in October 2021 there had been 27 attacks thwarted since 2017, said there had been six during the pandemic.

Proscription Terror Organization can support other disruptive activity including the use of immigration powers such as exclusion, prosecution for other offences, encouraging removal of on-line material, messaging and EU asset freezes. The resources of a proscribed organisation are terrorist property and are, therefore, liable to be seized.
Relationship between the Muslim Brotherhood

The inclusion of Hamas on the terrorist list may be considered an incomplete decision. There is a need to reveal the relationship between the Muslim Brotherhood in Britain and the Hamas organization, and this raises many speculations about the British government’s position on the Muslim Brotherhood, why is the Muslim Brotherhood’s file not reviewed in Britain since 2015 until now?

What British government needs is to find out administrative relations between Hamas and the Brotherhood, and the relationship is more recognizable through the organizations, associations, financial donations and Islamic relief joint between the two parties.

Putting Hamas organization on the terrorist list is a step in the right direction, and it needs to be strengthened by reviewing the files of political Islam in Britain.

By : Jassim Mohamad - Bonn

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.