AJ
⚡️ Sanctions were widened by the EU against Hamas and Palestinian Jihad by the European Union, after members of the Hamas’s Politburo were added to the sanctions list on Friday.
🔹 The bloc announced that ten members of Hamas’s senior political leadership body had been subjected to travel bans and asset freezes, preventing any funds or economic resources being made available.
🔹 According to the press release, ‘their capacity as decision-makers of the organisation’ means they have ‘knowledge of the planning, preparation and execution of violent actions committed by Hamas,’ adding: “They actively defend and justify such violent actions, often publicly warning and threatening future attacks.”
🔹 Hamas condemned the decision taken by the European Union Council to broaden the sanctions, considering it unjust and entirely biased in favour of the Israeli narrative, reflecting a policy of double standards in dealing with the Palestinian cause.
🔹 “This decision came as the occupation government continued to commit crimes of genocide, starvation, and forced displacement of our people and violating the ceasefire, while the EU turns a blind eye to these documented violations of international law and chooses to sanction political leaders who defend their people’s legitimate rights.”
🔹 Hamas said the attempt to criminalise the Palestinian resistance wouldn’t change the fact the people were under occupation: “Their resistance is a legitimate right guaranteed by all laws and humanitarian norms, and the the occupation is the root of the conflict and source of instability.
🔹 “Additionally, the targeting of political leaders confirms that these sanctions come as a response to pressure from the occupation forces and are not based on standards of justice.”
🔹 Hamas called on the EU to review its ‘biased policies,’ cease ‘providing political cover for the occupation,’ and ‘work to hold its leaders accountable instead of prosecuting the victims.’
🔹 It concluded: We affirm that these measures will not undermine the will of our Palestinian people or their commitment to their legitimate national rights, especially freedom, self-determination, ending the occupation, and establishing the Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.”
