This is not a “dangerous violation of international law.” You want a “dangerous violation of international law”? I’ll give you a “dangerous violation of international law.” How about blowing up civilians on buses and in pizza parlors? Is that a “dangerous violation of international law”? How about murdering a family that is enjoying a quiet Shabbat dinner at home, and another sleeping in bed at night? That sound like a “dangerous violation of international law” to you, Barhoum? No? How about passing out candy to celebrate all these murders, and celebrating the murderers as heroes, naming schools after them and building monuments to them? Could that be a “dangerous violation of international law”? How about running on your official TV station children’s shows that encourage them to commit mass murder? Any “dangerous violations of international law” there? Well, keep looking, Fawzi. I’m sure you’ll find one eventually.
“Hamas Cries Foul After US Designates Its Leader as ‘Global Terrorist,’” by Patrick Goodenough, CNS News, February 1, 2018:
(CNSNews.com) – The Trump administration has designated the leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, as a “specially designated global terrorist” (SDGT), targeting the head of a violent Palestinian group that has been trying to clean up its image.
Hamas called the move a “dangerous violation of international law” and said it would not deter the group from “liberating its land and holy places.”
Specially designated global terrorist designation takes place under executive order 13224, a post-9/11 tool designed to disrupt funding to terrorists. Americans are prohibited from engaging in transactions with SDGTs, and any assets they may have in the U.S. are frozen.
Haniyeh’s designation was first announced Wednesday by Nathan Sales, the State Department’s coordinator for counterterrorism, while addressing a conference of the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv.
“Haniyeh is the president of Hamas’ political bureau,” he said. “He’s also closely tied to the group’s terrorist operations, including attacks on Israel citizens. Haniyeh has been a member of Hamas since the 1980s and he rose through the ranks in large part by continually championing terrorism against Israel.”
Sales noted that as recently as last month, Haniyeh called for a new uprising (intifada) against Israel. Haniyeh issued the call after President Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
“His calls for a renewed intifada just last month underscore how important today’s designation is,” Sales said.
“We will not be distracted by Hamas’ efforts to obscure its true and bloody nature.”…
Responding to Wednesday’s designation of Haniyeh, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said the move was further proof of “American bias” toward Israel, providing “cover” for Israeli crimes and encouraging the targeting of the “symbols” of the Palestinian people.
Barhoum also called the decision a “dangerous violation of international law” under which, he said, the Palestinians have “the right to defend themselves and to resist the occupation and to choose their leadership.”
He said Hamas believes the timing of the U.S. move shows that it is trying to combat Hamas’ leadership as it works to “abort” Trump’s yet-to-be-unveiled “deal of the century” Middle East peace plan….