Written question asked by Matthew Offord (Conservative) on Tuesday, 20 January 2015, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 22 January 2015. It was answered by Tobias Ellwood (Conservative) on Tuesday, 27 January 2015 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Hamas

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department has taken in response to the decision of the General Court of the European Union on Hamas.

Answer: The EU General Court judgment is procedural and does not mean the EU and UK have changed their position on Hamas. The effects of the EU Hamas listing, including asset freezes, remain in place. We are studying the detail of the judgment carefully, and will work with partners to ensure that the Hamas listing at the EU is maintained. Hamas’ military wing has been proscribed in the UK since 2001 under separate UK legislation. This is not affected by the EU General Court judgment.

Secondary information