The US House of Representatives voted with a majority of 422 votes in favor of a bill that prohibits members of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) from the benefits of US immigration law. However, Democratic representatives Cori Bush and Rashida Tlaib voted against it.
The law prevents any member affiliated with Hamas, or involved in attacks on October 7th last year, from entering the United States. It also prohibits granting exemption from deportation under US immigration law to members of the movement.
The law also encompasses members of the Islamic Jihad and the Lebanese Hezbollah, as well as foreigners who support their activities. Representative Rashida Tlaib described the law as incitement against Palestinians, Arabs, and Muslims.
It is worth noting that the US imposed three rounds of sanctions on Hamas since the launch of the Battle of Al-Aqsa in October last year, with the most recent being the US Treasury’s decision in November last year to impose sanctions on prominent leaders of the movement, including senior leader Mahmoud al-Zahar.
