British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper (pictured) reiterated the UK government's stance on Hamas, calling the organization a "barbaric" terrorist group in response to its legal attempt to overturn its proscription. Speaking to LBC on Thursday, Cooper emphasized that Hamas has been banned in the UK for its violent actions, particularly the deadly October 7th attack in Israel. "We maintain our view about the barbaric nature of this organization," Cooper said.
Hamas, through the law firm Riverway Law, submitted a legal appeal on Wednesday, challenging its designation as a terrorist group in the UK. In its 106-page submission, the group contended that it does not threaten Britain and does not target British citizens. The appeal, signed by Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzouk, described the group as a "Palestinian Islamic liberation and resistance movement" focused on liberating Palestine and opposing Zionism.