The UK Government Bans Entry of Two Hamas and Hezbollah Supporters

On Thursday, September 8, the UK government announced that Mustafa Ayash, who had previously been sanctioned for 'promoting terrorism', and Nazem Ahmad, accused of financially supporting Hezbollah, are now subject to a travel ban to the country. Both Hamas and Hezbollah are proxy groups of the Islamic Republic. Ayash and Ahmad are also subject to asset freezes under UK anti-terrorism laws. The UK government stated: 'The travel ban is part of ongoing efforts to protect the integrity of the UK economy against threats related to terrorist financing.' Ayash was identified in April of this year in a joint action by the US and the UK as one of those collecting financial support for Hamas. He is a director of the 'In Gaza News Network'. The UK fully listed Hamas as a terrorist group in December 2021, and anyone who supports this group, raises its flag, or holds meetings for this organization violates the country's anti-terrorism laws. On April 29 of this year, Nazem Ahmad was also placed on the UK sanctions list. He is an art collector in the UK and deals with several artists, galleries, and auction houses in the country. Ahmad was also sanctioned by the US in 2019, with the US Treasury Department identifying him as someone who provides 'financial support and technological services and goods' to Hezbollah. Ahmad owned a very large art collection worth tens of millions of dollars, including works by Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol. He is also a diamond dealer and is considered a major financial supplier to Hezbollah through money laundering. The 'terrorist financing' network is under scrutiny by the US and the UK; three entities and two individuals were identified as 'collectors of financial support for Hamas'. A Lebanese-Belgian citizen was extradited to the US on charges of financing Hezbollah. The UK has sanctioned an individual suspected of financing Hezbollah.