In response to a series of recent attacks in the Gaza Strip, a bipartisan group of 1/3 of the United States Senate is calling on the United Nations Ambassador, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, to designate the Palestinian militant group Hamas as a foreign terrorist organization.
The attacks in question occurred on October 7th, when Hamas launched a barrage of rockets at Israeli civilians. In response, Israeli forces retaliated and shelling ignited a conflict that resulted in the death of at least 19 people on both sides. The violence prompted multiple global leaders to encourage both sides to work toward a diplomatic resolution.
However, a group of 32 Senators, led by Republican Senator James Lankford, believe that Hamas should be formally recognized as a terrorist group in order to discourage further conflict in the region. The letter, which was sent on October 21st, implores the UN Ambassador to act swiftly in order to send a strong message to both sides that acts of terror will not be tolerated. It states, “We cannot afford to be complacent in light of the indiscriminate attacks Hamas continues to perpetrate,” and urges Thomas-Greenfield to pass the designation immediately.
The diplomats petition follows identical appeals from the Representatives of the House of Representatives, which passed legislation in November to impose economic sanctions on Hamas. Both the House and Senate are calling on the United Nations to use its authority in international law to hold Hamas accountable for its violent actions, as well as to pressure the militant group into abiding by a more peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Unsurprisingly, the issue of labeling Hamas as a terrorist group is a highly controversial one, and has long been a point of contention between the United States and Israel, as well as other allies in the Middle East. Despite the unresolved debate, the signing Senators are sending an important message; that state-sponsored terror will not be condoned or accepted.
In order to ensure the safety of the people in the region, the United Nations Ambassador should take every reasonable measure to grant the request set forth by these important voices in the Senate. It is now up to Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield to act swiftly and decisively in order to help bring a much-needed sense of security to the region.
In response to a series of recent attacks in the Gaza Strip, a bipartisan group of 1/3 of the United States Senate is calling on the United Nations Ambassador, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, to designate the Palestinian militant group Hamas as a foreign terrorist organization.
The attacks in question occurred on October 7th, when Hamas launched a barrage of rockets at Israeli civilians. In response, Israeli forces retaliated and shelling ignited a conflict that resulted in the death of at least 19 people on both sides. The violence prompted multiple global leaders to encourage both sides to work toward a diplomatic resolution.
However, a group of 32 Senators, led by Republican Senator James Lankford, believe that Hamas should be formally recognized as a terrorist group in order to discourage further conflict in the region. The letter, which was sent on October 21st, implores the UN Ambassador to act swiftly in order to send a strong message to both sides that acts of terror will not be tolerated. It states, “We cannot afford to be complacent in light of the indiscriminate attacks Hamas continues to perpetrate,” and urges Thomas-Greenfield to pass the designation immediately.
The diplomats petition follows identical appeals from the Representatives of the House of Representatives, which passed legislation in November to impose economic sanctions on Hamas. Both the House and Senate are calling on the United Nations to use its authority in international law to hold Hamas accountable for its violent actions, as well as to pressure the militant group into abiding by a more peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Unsurprisingly, the issue of labeling Hamas as a terrorist group is a highly controversial one, and has long been a point of contention between the United States and Israel, as well as other allies in the Middle East. Despite the unresolved debate, the signing Senators are sending an important message; that state-sponsored terror will not be condoned or accepted.
In order to ensure the safety of the people in the region, the United Nations Ambassador should take every reasonable measure to grant the request set forth by these important voices in the Senate. It is now up to Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield to act swiftly and decisively in order to help bring a much-needed sense of security to the region.
