Trump orders blacklisting Muslim Brotherhood branches as ‘terrorist’ groups

In response to their alleged support for the Palestinian group Hamas, US President Donald Trump has ordered his aides to launch a search for “terrorist” organizations in Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan.

Trump signed the decree on Monday as Washington continued to impose sanctions on Israel’s allies in the region.

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In the decree, Muslim Brotherhood leaders in Jordan were accused of supporting Hamas and the Lebanese branch of the organization by offering “material support” to Hamas and Hezbollah in their conflict with Israel.

During Israel’s conflict with Gaza, it was also claimed that a member of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood “called for violent attacks against American partners and interests.” However, it wasn’t immediately clear what the White House was talking about. In Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood has been outlawed and largely driven underground.

The White House stated that “President Trump is confronting the Muslim Brotherhood’s transnational network,” which contributes to US-sponsored terrorism and destabilization efforts.

The secretary of state and the secretary of state are required to consult with the US intelligence chief within 30 days and prepare a report on the appointment in Trump’s order.

Within 45 days of the report, the Muslim Brotherhood branches would be officially labeled as “foreign terrorist organizations.”

The designation may be made sooner, but the procedure is typically formal. Additionally, the decree allows for the blacklisting of additional Muslim Brotherhood branches.

The White House is also pushing for the designation of the organizations as “designated global terrorists.”

It would be unlawful to give the group material support as a result of the designations. Additionally, it would primarily prevent their current and former members from entering the US and would stifle their revenue sources due to economic sanctions.

a steadfast need for right-wing activists

The Muslim Brotherhood, which was founded in 1928 by the scholar Hassan al-Banna from Egypt, has branches in the Middle East through political parties and social organizations.

Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated parties claim to be committed to peaceful political participation in elections across the Middle East.

However, several nations in the area have outlawed the group.

Right-wing activists in the US have long demanded that right-wing activists blacklist the Muslim Brotherhood.

However, critics claim that the move will increase authoritarianism and the Middle East’s stricter restrictions on free political expression.

On the basis of allegations of ties to the Muslim Brotherhood or contributions to organizations connected to the organization, the decree could also be used to target activists in Muslim America.

With false accusations of having ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, right-wing organizations have long advocated for the overthrow of Muslim American organizations.

The designation shouldn’t have an impact on Muslim American organizations and organizations, according to Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).

Awad told Al Jazeera, “The American Muslim organizations are strong. They have a US presence, they claim. Millions of people are served by the relief organizations abroad. I’m hoping that their work is not affected by this.

He noted that anti-Muslim activists have been attempting to “prove the myth that every US Muslim organization serves as a front for the Muslim Brotherhood.”

The Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR were recently referred to as “foreign terrorist organizations and transnational criminal organizations” by Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott.