Hamas removed from EU terror list

A court has ordered the Palestinian group Hamas to be removed from the EU terrorist list for procedural reasons, but says the Union can maintain asset freezes against Hamas members for now.

The Islamic militant group, which calls for the destruction of Israel, hailed the decision. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged the EU to reverse it.

Hamas was put on the EU terrorist list as part of broader measures to fight terrorism in the wake of the September 11, 2001, attacks. It won elections in 2006 and runs Gaza, and has long contested the classification.