The National Jewish Assembly (NJA) urgently calls upon the United Kingdom government to take decisive action and proscribe the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation. This vital step is necessary to deal a strong blow against the IRGC’s ability to operate, fundraise, recruit, and propagandise within the UK.
The IRGC, designated as a terrorist organisation by several countries and international entities, including the United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council, is a major threat to regional stability and global security. Its involvement in supporting and financing terrorist activities across the Middle East, including in Gaza, the West Bank, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen, is well-documented.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been linked to several terrorist attacks in the West. One of the most prominent incidents was the 1994 bombing of the Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which killed 85 people and injured hundreds. The attack was carried out by Hezbollah, a proxy group supported by the IRGC. In 2018, an IRGC-linked Iranian diplomat based in Austria was arrested for planning to bomb a rally of Iranian dissidents in France.
NJA Chairman Gary Mond commented, “Iran has been calling for Israel’s destruction since the Islamic Revolution in 1979. Banning the IRGC would be at least a step in showing the UK’s disgust with this genocidal attitude.”
By proscribing the IRGC, the UK government would send a clear and unequivocal message that it will not tolerate the activities of a terrorist entity that undermines peace and stability. It would enable law enforcement agencies to take proactive measures to disrupt the IRGC’s networks and prevent it from further exploiting the UK’s open society for its nefarious purposes.
Furthermore, proscribing the IRGC would demonstrate the UK’s unwavering commitment to combatting terrorism and protecting its citizens. It would align with the international consensus on the threat posed by the IRGC and contribute to collective efforts in countering its destabilizing activities.
The NJA urges the UK government to prioritise the safety and security of its citizens and take immediate action to proscribe the IRGC. It is imperative that the UK joins the ranks of other nations in recognsing the true nature of this dangerous organisation and taking concrete steps to dismantle its operations within its borders.
