By J-Wire newsdesk on J-Wire…
In one day, New Zealand has banned entry to Israeli settlers who have committed violent attacks and have proscribed Hamas as a terrorist entity in its entirety.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters jointly announced the decision regarding Hamas.
The military wing of Hamas was first designated in October 2010. This designation was renewed in 2013, 2016, 2019, and most recently, 2022.
Christopher Luxon said: “The terrorist attacks by Hamas in October 2023 were brutal and we have unequivocally condemned them,”.
Winston Peters said: “But what happened on 7 October reinforces we can no longer distinguish between the military and political wings of Hamas. The organisation as a whole bears responsibility for these horrific terrorist attacks.”
A designation under New Zealand legislation freezes any assets of the terrorist entity in New Zealand. It also makes it a criminal offence to carry out property or financial transactions with them or provide material support.
Read the full story on J-Wire here, and on The Post (paywalled) here.
Read Prime Minister Chris Luxon & Foreign Minister Winston Peter’s media release on the designation of Hamas as a terrorist entity here.
Read Prime Minister Chris Luxon & Foreign Minister Winston Peter’s media release on the travel ban on extremist Israeli settlers here.
