The Labor party said on Wednesday evening it condemns the European Union’s removal of Hamas from its list of proscribed terrorist groups, but said that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was to blame for the removal.
In a statement, Labor said that Europe’s move “deserves to be condemned”, but added, “This does not detract from Netanyahu’s responsibility for the diplomatic collapse which is hurting the State of Israel.”
“Bibi failed both diplomatically and economically. Israeli citizens already understand this and will soon replace this failed and extremist government with a government led by the Zionist camp which will protect the interests of Israel while propelling it to a new way," the statement said.
The Likud fired back, saying that Labor leader Yitzhak Herzog’s “lack of experience led him to react in a reckless and irresponsible manner.”
“It would be appropriate for him to criticize Europe, which recognizes Hamas, and speak out against the boycott of Israel, instead of attacking Netanyahu,” said Likud.
The decision to remove Hamas, in both its military and governmental branches, from the EU’s list of proscribed terrorist groups was the result of a technical legal blunder.
After Hamas filed an appeal against its terrorist list standing, the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg published its decision on Wednesday, with Hamas being removed due to claims that the group's inclusion in the list was against EU procedures and without sufficient evidence.
The EU later said it still considers Hamas to be a terrorist group.
"The EU continues to consider Hamas a terrorist organization," European Commission spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic said, adding that the EU would consider its response to the court's ruling, including the possibility of an appeal.
Netanyahu condemned the decision and demanded that the EU place Hamas back on the terror list.
"We are not satisfied with EU explanations that the removal of Hamas from the terror organization list is a 'technical matter,'" said Netanyahu.
"The burden of proof is on the EU and we expected them to immediately return Hamas to the list as everyone understands that it is an inseparable part of it - Hamas is a murderous terrorist organization that notes in its charter that its goal is to destroy Israel," added Netanyahu. "We will continue to struggle against it firmly and with strength so that it will never achieve its goals."