BBC News Online: World: Middle East

Israel praises new US terror list

Hamas is among the groups on the US list

On Friday the United States added 22 groups including Hamas and Hezbollah to its list of "terrorist" groups whose financial assets will be frozen.

Palestinian groups were not included on a blacklist issued by Washington on 24 September in connection with its war on terrorism.

A spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said the American and British action was a step in the right direction.

"We would like to see these organisations totally banned, and in a way that no country would give them any kind of support," said Ranaan Gissin.

Hamas response

Hamas accused Washington of giving Israel a green light to continue tough military operations against Palestinians.

Israel's policy of targeted killings has been particularly controversial.

But a top Hamas official downplayed the practical implications of the American decision, saying it would not affect the group's "secret" sources of funding.

Hamas has carried out numerous suicide bombings in Israel.

Question of definition

Another militant group which was added to both the US and British lists, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), said it was not a terrorist group, but a national liberation movement.

A PFLP spokesman in Gaza, Kayed al-Gul, said the group had no money in American or British banks.

"We depend a lot on contributions from the Palestinian public. I don't think America can stop these contributions," he said.

Last month, the PFLP said it had assassinated the Israeli tourism minister, Rehavam Zeevi, in retaliation for the killing of one of its leaders.