Britain on Monday declared Hizbut Tahrir as a proscribed terrorist group, making it a criminal offence to belong to what it described as an antisemitic organisation. Britain’s proscription of the group – which puts it on par with al-Qaeda or ISIS – will come into force from Jan 19 if agreed by parliament, the Home Office said. “Hizbut Tahrir is an antisemitic organisation that actively promotes and encourages terrorism, including praising and celebrating the appalling 7 October attacks,” Home Secretary James Cleverly said. Hizbut Tahrir’s praise of those attacks as well as describing Hamas as heroes on their website constituted promoting and encouraging terrorism, Cleverly said. The organisation also has a history of praising and celebrating attacks against Jewish people, he added. UK-based representative for the group did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. On its website last month it described the call to ban the organisation as “a sign of the desperation”.
