Washington, February 3 (RHC)-- The U.S. State Department has designated Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the Palestinian political party and militant group Hamas, as a terrorist.  The move comes as the Donald Trump administration continues to face worldwide protest over its decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, and as the U.S. slashes funding to United Nations agencies helping Palestinian refugees.

Hamas spokesperson Ismail Radwan told reporters: "It is clear that putting the name of Ismail Haniyeh on the terrorism list by the Americans came at a time that the U.S. administration is targeting Jerusalem, putting sanctions on and preventing aid to the U.N. refugee agency UNRWA.  This is a continuation of the crimes against the Palestinian people.  The U.S. administration has cast itself as an enemy of the Palestinian people.  It’s taking the side of the Zionist occupation.  This shows that the U.S. administration is working against the aspirations of free Palestinian people in liberation and achieving independence.”