The Palestine Liberation Organization on Thursday condemned the United States’ decision to add the head of the Hamas terror group, Ismail Haniyeh, to its terror blacklist.

“The PLO rejects and condemns the decision,” PLO’s secretary general Saeb Erekat said in a statement on the Fatah party’s official Facebook page.

Erekat also called for solving the problems causing division between Fatah and Hamas, in order to achieve national unity and “preserve the Palestinian national project.”

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Israel welcomed the American move.

Yuval Rotem, director general of Israel’s foreign ministry, called the US State Department’s move an “important decision.”

It is “a welcome and necessary step in the fight against global terrorism. More crucial American leadership which other countries should follow,” Rotem wrote on Twitter.

On Wednesday, the US put the 55-year-old Haniyeh, who was named head of Hamas in May 2017, on its terror list and slapped sanctions on him.

“Haniyeh has close links with Hamas’s military wing and has been a proponent of armed struggle, including against civilians,” the State Department said in a statement following the decision. “He has reportedly been involved in terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens. Hamas has been responsible for an estimated 17 American lives killed in terrorist attacks.”

The US Treasury sanctions blacklist now freezes any US-based assets Haniyeh may have and bans any US person or company from doing business with him.

Hamas, which is sworn to destroy Israel and has controlled the Gaza Strip for more than a decade, has been on the US terror blacklist since 1997.

The US decision to put Haniyeh on its terror blacklist will not affect Hamas’s activities, the movement said Wednesday. “It is a failed attempt to pressure the resistance,” said a statement from the group. “This decision will not deter us from continuing the resistance option to expel the occupation.”

Haniyeh replaced Khaled Mashaal, who now lives in Doha in exile, atop the Hamas movement. Unlike Mashaal, Haniyeh will remain in the Gaza Strip.

Also known as Abu Abed, Haniyeh was born in Gaza’s Shati refugee camp in January 1963 to parents who fled when Israel was created in 1948.

Hamas has frequently highlighted his modest background as a counterpoint to officials within Mahmoud Abbas’s Palestinian Authority, who have been accused of being corrupt and too easily compliant with Israel or the United States.</s>New Hamas leader Haniyeh in Egypt to hold meeting on Gaza blockade

The United States on Wednesday put the elected head of Palestinian Hamas movement, Ismail Haniyeh, on its terror blacklist and slapped sanctions on him -- a move sure to raise tensions, after Washington recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

"Haniyeh has close links with Hamas' military wing and has been a proponent of armed struggle, including against civilians," the State Department said in a statement.

Haniyeh is now on the U.S. Treasury sanctions blacklist, which freezes any U.S.-based assets he may have and bans any U.S. person or company from doing business with him.

Haniyeh was elected as the new leader of Hamas in March 2017.

Hamas says its battle is against Israel, not the West, and it has tried to rebrand itself by tweaking its charter. But the U.S., along with Israel and others, shun it as a terror group.

Hamas recently revealed the new roadmap for peace in the conflict between Palestine and Israel as he announced the group's revised foundation document in a press conference in the Qatari capital Doha.</s>WASHINGTON: The United States on Wednesday put the head of Palestinian movement Hamas, Ismail Haniya, on its terror blacklist and slapped sanctions on him -- a move sure to raise tensions, after Washington recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.



The 55-year-old Haniya, who was named head of Hamas in May 2017, represents the more pragmatic wing of the movement, which said the US move would not deter the group’s "resistance."

"Haniya has close links with Hamas’ military wing and has been a proponent of armed struggle, including against civilians," the State Department said in a statement.

"He has reportedly been involved in terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens. Hamas has been responsible for an estimated 17 American lives killed in terrorist attacks."

Haniya is now on the US Treasury sanctions blacklist, which freezes any US-based assets he may have and bans any US person or company from doing business with him.

Hamas -- which has controlled the Gaza Strip for more than a decade -- had already been on the US terror blacklist since 1997.

The US government also slapped sanctions on Harakat al-Sabireen -- a small splinter group that operates in Gaza -- and two other groups active in Egypt: Liwa al-Thawra and HASM.

"These designations target key terrorist groups and leaders, who are threatening the stability of the Middle East, undermining the peace process, and attacking our allies Egypt and Israel," Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in a statement.

"Today’s actions are an important step in denying them the resources they need to plan and carry out their terrorist activities."

In Gaza, Hamas said: "The American decision to include Haniya on the terrorist list is a failed attempt to pressure the resistance.

"This decision will not deter us from continuing the resistance option to expel the occupation."

Hamas has fought three wars with Israel since 2008.

Haniya replaced Khaled Meshaal, who now lives in Doha in exile, atop the Hamas movement. Unlike Meshaal, Haniya will remain in the Gaza Strip.

Also known as Abu Abed, Haniya was born in Gaza’s Shati refugee camp in January 1963 to parents who fled when Israel was created in 1948.

Hamas has frequently highlighted his modest background as a counterpoint to officials within president Mahmud Abbas’ Palestinian Authority.

Relations between Washington and the Palestinians have been severely strained since US President Donald Trump broke with decades of policy in December to name Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

The Hamas leader voiced rage over the decision, saying it "crosses every red line," and called for a new intifada, or uprising.

"This Zionist policy supported by the US cannot be confronted unless we ignite a new intifada," Haniya said.

Days of demonstrations in the Palestinian territories and other parts of the Middle East ensued. Washington says the new embassy will open in Jerusalem in 2019.</s>A handout picture released by the press office of Hamas shows Palestinian Hamas Gaza premier Ismail Haniya (left) speaking with Egypt’s President Mohamed Morsi during his visit to Cairo. — Afp picWASHINGTON, Feb 1 — The United States yesterday put the head of Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, Ismail Haniya, on its terror blacklist and slapped sanctions on him — a move sure to raise tensions, after Washington recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

The 55-year-old Haniya, who was named head of Hamas in May 2017, represents the more pragmatic wing of the movement, which said the US move would not deter the group’s “resistance.”

“Haniya has close links with Hamas’ military wing and has been a proponent of armed struggle, including against civilians,” the State Department said in a statement.

“He has reportedly been involved in terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens. Hamas has been responsible for an estimated 17 American lives killed in terrorist attacks.”

Haniya is now on the US Treasury sanctions blacklist, which freezes any US-based assets he may have and bans any US person or company from doing business with him.

Hamas — which has controlled the Gaza Strip for more than a decade — had already been on the US terror blacklist since 1997.

The US government also slapped sanctions on Harakat al-Sabireen — a small militant group that splintered away from the Islamic Jihad, is close to Iran and operates in Gaza — and two other groups active in Egypt: Liwa al-Thawra and HASM.

“These designations target key terrorist groups and leaders — including two sponsored and directed by Iran — who are threatening the stability of the Middle East, undermining the peace process, and attacking our allies Egypt and Israel,” Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in a statement.

“Today’s actions are an important step in denying them the resources they need to plan and carry out their terrorist activities.”

In Gaza, Hamas said: “The American decision to include Haniya on the terrorist list is a failed attempt to pressure the resistance.

“This decision will not deter us from continuing the resistance option to expel the occupation.”

Hamas has fought three wars with Israel since 2008. The group receives military support from Iran.

Iran “continues to support a rogues’ gallery of terrorist organizations, including Hezbollah, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and others,” Nathan Sales, the US State Department coordinator for counter-terrorism, said in a speech to an Israeli think tank yesterday.

He added that Tehran gives Palestinian militant groups “potentially up to US$100 million (RM390.10 million) annually.”

Haniya replaced Khaled Meshaal, who now lives in Doha in exile, atop the Hamas movement. Unlike Meshaal, Haniya will remain in the Gaza Strip.

Also known as Abu Abed, Haniya was born in Gaza’s Shati refugee camp in January 1963 to parents who fled when Israel was created in 1948.

Hamas has frequently highlighted his modest background as a counterpoint to officials within president Mahmud Abbas’s Palestinian Authority, who have been accused of being corrupt and too easily compliant with Israel or the United States.

Relations between Washington and the Palestinians have been severely strained since US President Donald Trump broke with decades of policy in December to name Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

The Hamas leader voiced rage over the decision, saying it “crosses every red line,” and called for a new intifada, or uprising.

“This Zionist policy supported by the US cannot be confronted unless we ignite a new intifada,” Haniya said.

Days of sometimes violent demonstrations in the Palestinian territories and other parts of the Middle East ensued. Washington says the new embassy will open in Jerusalem in 2019. — AFP</s>Turkey on Friday criticized the United States' decision to put Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on its terror blacklist, saying the move could undermine the peace efforts in Middle East as well as Palestinian efforts for resolving the conflict.

Hami Aksoy, the foreign ministry spokesman, said in a statement Turkey hopes that the decision will not have a negative impact on the country's humanitarian assistance and economic development activities towards Gaza.

"It is obvious that this decision, which overlooks the the fact that Hamas is an important reality of Palestinian political life, cannot make any contribution to the just, comprehensive and lasting settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."

On Wednesday, the U.S. added Haniyeh, 55, to its list of international terrorists, ratcheting up pressure on the movement despite its latest peace efforts. The move came amid the U.S.' ongoing provocative measures in the region after Washington recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Hamas said the decision "demonstrates the American bias in favor of the Israeli occupation," while calling on the U.S. to reverse its "hostile policies and decisions" on the group.

The U.S. decision also drawn condemnation from Palestinian groups. "The Palestine Liberation Organization [PLO] rejects and deplores the U.S. Treasury Department's decision to include Haniyeh on its terrorism list," Saeb Erekat, secretary of the PLO's executive committee, said Thursday.</s>WASHINGTON: The United States put Ismail Haniya, chief of Hamas, on its terror blacklist and also imposed sanctions on him on Wednesday.

The recent US move will surely raise tensions after Washington recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

Ismail Haniya was announced head of Palestinian Movement Hamas in May 2017 and represents the more practical wing of the movement.

The US State Department told that Hamas chief has close links with military wing and he has been a supporter of armed struggle.

It added that Haniya has been involved in terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens and also responsible for killing at least 17 American in terrorist attacks.

Haniya is now on the US Treasury sanctions blacklist, which freezes any US-based assets he may have and bans any US person or company from doing business with him.

Hamas, which has controlled the Gaza Strip for more than a decade had already been on the US terror blacklist since 1997.

The US government also slapped sanctions on Harakat al-Sabireen — a small splinter group that operates in Gaza — and two other groups active in Egypt: Liwa al-Thawra and HASM.

However the Hamas has said that the US decision will not deter us from continuing the resistance option to expel the occupation. Hamas has fought three wars with Israel since 2008.</s>Washington—The United States has put the leader of the Palestinian Islamic resistance movement, Hamas, on its so-called terror blacklist and imposed sanctions on him, raising tensions in the region following Washington’s recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel's capital.

The US State Department said in a statement on Wednesday that Ismail Haniyeh has close links with Hamas' military wing and has been a proponent of armed resistance against Israel.

"He has reportedly been involved in terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens. Hamas has been responsible for an estimated 17 American lives killed in terrorist attacks," the statement said, without providing any evidence to back the claims.

"These designations target key terrorist groups and leaders -- including two sponsored and directed by Iran -- who are threatening the stability of the Middle East, undermining the peace process, and attacking our allies Egypt and Israel," the State Department quoted Secretary of State Rex Tillerson as saying in a statement.

Haniyeh was also placed on the US Treasury Department’s sanctions blacklist, which freezes US-based assets if he holds any and bans American firms and individuals from doing business with him.

The Palestinian movement Hamas said the US move to place Haniyeh on the terror list will not deter its resistance against Israel.

"This Zionist policy supported by the US cannot be confronted unless we ignite a new intifada (uprising)," a Hamas spokesman said.

“We reject and condemn the decision and we see it as a reflection of the domination by a gang of Zionists of the American decision,” the spokesman added. “The decision is worthless."

The US move comes as tension is already high in the occupied Palestinian territories following US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as the capital of Israel and his plan to relocate the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to the holy city.

Trump's al-Quds shift was a break from decades of US policy that left the occupied city’s status to be decided in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.

The dramatic shift in Washington’s policy vis-à-vis the city infuriated Palestinians and triggered demonstrations in the occupied Palestinian territories, Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Algeria, Iraq, Morocco, and other Muslim countries.</s>The United States on Wednesday put the head of Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, Ismail Haniya, on its terror blacklist and slapped sanctions on him — a move sure to raise tensions, after Washington recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, AFP reported.

“Haniya has close links with Hamas’ military wing and has been a proponent of armed struggle, including against civilians,” the State Department said in a statement.</s>WASHINGTON: The US today put the head of Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, Ismail Haniya , on its terror blacklist and slapped sanctions on him -- a move sure to raise tensions, after Washington recognized Jerusalem as Israel 's capital."Haniya has close links with Hamas' military wing and has been a proponent of armed struggle, including against civilians," the State Department said in a statement."He has reportedly been involved in terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens. Hamas has been responsible for an estimated 17 American lives killed in terrorist attacks."Haniya is now on the US Treasury sanctions blacklist, which freezes any US-based assets he may have and bans any US person or company from doing business with him.</s>TEL AVIV — Hamas, a murderous terrorist organization committed to Israel’s destruction, condemned on Wednesday the decision by the U.S. State Department to designate Hamas’s politburo leader, Ismail Haniyeh, as a specially designated global terrorist.

A statement released by the State Department said that Haniyeh maintains connections with Hamas’s so-called military wing and is involved in attacks on civilians. Hamas’s “military wing” is responsible for scores of deadly suicide bombings, shootings and rocket attacks.

“Ismail Haniyeh has been involved in Hamas’ campaign of terrorism against Israel for years and even decades,” Ambassador Nathan A. Sales, the State Department’s Coordinator for Counterterrorism, stated. “The United States is not fooled by any attempt by Hamas to rebrand itself. We know it for what it is, a terror organization committed to the destruction of the State of Israel.”

In response, Hamas released a statement saying that Haniyeh is a prime minister elected by a majority of the Palestinian people and that his inclusion on the list of terrorists is a dangerous development “and a violation of international law, which gives the Palestinian people the right to defend themselves, to fight the occupation and elect its leadership.”

Hamas failed to mention its deliberate targeting of Israeli civilians.

It was also written in the statement that the American decision is a “cover” for Israel to continue its “crimes” against the Palestinian people “and a green light to harm their leader.”

Hamas apologists on social media also responded to the American inclusion of Haniyeh on the terrorism list.

“Crusaders and Zionists full of hate: American State Department decides Haniyeh and other figures are terrorists threatening the stability of the Middle East,” tweeted Hamed al-Ali, a Kuwaiti cleric.

The Twitter account Palestine Post criticized the decision, writing at the end of their post, “We swear to Allah, the decision should be a source of pride.”

“When the Americans include Haniyeh on the terror list, we have nothing to say but that we are proud of terror,” wrote Palestinian Layla Kilani. “Is it possible to earn a greater achievement than this? Because the respectable man only fights the enemies of Allah.”

Majed al-Raiisi, a media figure in the United Arab Emirates, wrote about the meeting between Qatar and America that was held yesterday in the U.S., tweeting, “Yesterday Qatar paid billions for declarations of American support. Today, the U.S. puts Ismail Haniyeh, who is close to the Qatari regime, on the terror list. As usual, your money went to nothing.”

“Stand proudly and wave the flag of victory,” wrote Adaham Abu Salmiyeh, a Palestinian journalist and activist close to Hamas, alongside a photo of Haniyeh making the V-for-victory sign.

“Hamas leaders are between the oppression of the Israeli occupation inside and the American siege outside,” wrote Amro Abdulhadi, an Islamist politician in Egypt. “The people who are happier about Haniyeh’s place on the terror list are Muhamad Dahlan (a Fatah official), Muhamad bin Zayed (Emirati crown prince) and Sissi (Egyptian president).”

“The American inclusion of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on the terror list proves for the millionth time that the current president of the U.S. is a criminal called a president because of his job,” wrote Egyptian journalist Ahmad Abdeljawad. “It also proves that Hamas continues to worry the Zionists.”

The Twitter account of Palestinian teen Ahed Tamimi, a girl who became famous for slapping an Israeli soldier and whose account is being run by her father since she was arrested by Israeli authorities, tweeted, “Congratulations to the leader and national symbol Ismail Haniyeh. We say to the enemies of our people that the threats of the occupation and the terror lists of the American government don’t scare us.”

Abdullah Sharif, an Egyptian Islamist poet wrote, “Ismail Haniyeh, if you are a terrorist as they’ve catalogued you, then I’m following in your footsteps.”
The Palestine Liberation Organization "rejects and condemns" the United States decision to put Hamas leader Ismael Haniyeh on the OFAC SDN terror blacklist.