The Canadian government made it illegal Wednesday for Canadians to assist the Palestinian group Hamas, naming it “an outlawed terror group.” The move places Hamas on a shortlist of groups that are virtually banned in Canada, alongside the likes of al-Qaeda.
According to The Globe and Mail, providing any material assistance could carry a penalty of up to 10 years in prison. Lebanon’s Hizbullah was left off the list.
In the past, the Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham said that while Hezbollah's military wing is outlawed, Canadians can still finance or assist the group's social wing, which conducts charitable activities.
The announcement came in the House of Commons with Solicitor General Wayne Easter declaring that Hamas plus the Islamic Army of Aden, Harakat ul-Mudjahadin (HuM), Usbat Al-Ansar, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Jaish-e-Mohammed were being added to a list of banned groups. (Albawaba.com)
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