On Friday 19 January, the European Union adopted by written procedure a new framework for restrictive measures against “those who support, facilitate or enable violent actions by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad”.
The Council says this support may be material or financial. Under this regime, the EU can also target those involved in the planning, preparation or enabling of violent actions by Hamas or the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
In addition, individuals, groups, entities and organisations could be added to the list for activities such as: - the supply, sale or transfer of arms and related material to the two terrorist organisations; - supporting actions that undermine or threaten the stability or security of Israel in collaboration with Hamas and the PIJ; - involvement in serious violations of international humanitarian law or human rights law; - publicly inciting or provoking violent actions by the two organisations.
The EU has decided to impose sanctions on six people. These people are: Musa Dudin, a senior Hamas operative and member of the organisation’s political bureau; Abdelbasit Elhassan Mohamed Khair Hamza, a Hamas backer based in Sudan, who manages companies in the terrorist organisation’s investment portfolio; Aiman Ahmad Al-Duwaik, another Hamas backer based in Algeria, who helps manage the organisation’s overseas investment portfolio.
The following people have also been sanctioned: Nabil Khaled Halil Chouman, owner of Shuman for Currency Exchange SARL, based in Lebanon, which has been used to launder money and transfer it to Hamas, including from Iran, and his son, Khaled Chouman, who works for the company as a money changer, as well as the Lebanese Rida Ali Khamis, who is involved in currency exchange operations that enable money to be laundered and transferred to Hamas, notably through the companies Shuman for Currency Exchange SARL and Al-Wasata SARL.
According to the Council, these individuals are subject to an asset freeze and a travel ban. It is forbidden to provide them with funds or economic resources, directly or indirectly, or for their benefit.
The new regime also complements the restrictive measures previously adopted against Hamas and PIJ under the ‘EU terrorist list’.
See the legal documents: https://aeur.eu/f/ahn ; https://aeur.eu/f/aho (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)