https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/17/australia-to-list-hamas-as-terror-group
The Australian government has plans to list the Palestinian movement Hamas to its list of outlawed terrorist organizations. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem stated “the movement strongly condemned Australia’s decision,” saying the move pointed towards a clear bias towards Israel. Additionally he said that this violated international laws that protect the Palestinian right to protest Israel. Qassem also said “Those who should be classified as terrorists are the Israeli occupation who deliberately target Palestinians and violate international and humanitarian laws and covenants.” Australia had previously named the military wing of the organization as a terrorist group; however, this names the group in its entirety as a terror group. Hamas runs the Gaza Strip and has fought constant wars with Israel since they took the area in 2007. Most recently, an 11 day Israeli assault on the area killed almost 250 Palestinians, including 66 children, while also injuring an additional 1,900 more. Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said “The views of Hamas and the violent extremist groups listed today are deeply disturbing, and there is no place in Australia for their hateful ideologies.” The new designation for the group tightens restrictions on financing the group or otherwise providing support to them, with some sentences carrying a 25 year prison sentence. Israel welcomed the move, with the Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid thanking Australian Ambassador to Israel Paul Griffiths for the “significant step” in Israel’s international effort to stop terrorist organisations.
This is important as it further delegitimizes Palestine in the eyes of the West, as Hamas controls the country. Additionally, it further strengthens relations between Israel and Western powers, although relations were already incredibly strong. In my opinion, a continuation of ignoring Palestine and its authorities could be harmful towards stability in the region as the government could become a wild animal backed into a corner that will do anything to survive. I understand why Australia would want to do this, as it both protects their national interest and follows close allies Britain in declaring the group as a terrorist organization.
This relates to what we are discussing in class as it discusses the difference in international law on a case by case basis. Hamas claims that declaring them a terrorist organization violates international law but Australia and their allies disagree and feel as if they are acting fairly and within the confines of international law.