A Hamas terror group court ruled that women in Gaza needed permission from a male guardian to travel.

An Islamic court run by the terrorist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip ruled that women need permission from a male guardian to travel., further restricting movement inside and outside the territory blocked by Israel and Egypt since the extremist movement took power.

The ruling by the Sharia Judicial Council, released on Sunday, says a single woman cannot travel without the permission of her “guardian”, who will usually be her father or other older male relative. The permit would have to be registered with the court and the man would not be required to accompany the woman on the trip.

“It is forbidden for an unmarried woman, whether virgin or not, to travel without the authorization of a guardian, who can refuse the trip in case of damage”, indicates the text signed by the President of the Council Hassan Al-Jojo.

The married woman, meanwhile, cannot travel without her husband’s approval, according to the court ruling.

The judicial authorities also ruled that “A parent or grandparent can prohibit a child over 18 from traveling if the trip is detrimental, and this can lead to actions in the competent court. However, they did not specify what is considered “harmful”.

The ruling resembles the so-called guardianship laws that have long existed in Saudi Arabia, where women were treated as minors who needed permission from a husband, father or even a child to apply for a passport and travel abroad. These restrictions were not relaxed by the kingdom until 2019.

Hassan Al-Jojo told the agency The Associated Press that the decision is “balanced” and in accordance with Islamic and civil law. He rejected what he called “artificial and unwarranted noise” on social media about the decree.

The court official justified the court ruling by citing previous cases in which girls had traveled without their parents’ knowledge and men had left their wives and children without support.

The measure provoked strong criticism on social networks, where many accused Hamas of generating a setback for women’s rights. The Palestinian People’s Party, a small leftist group, called on the terror movement to reverse its decision.

Zainab al-Ghunaimi, activist that directs a group con sede in Gaza centrado in los derechos de las mujeres, dijo that the decision contravenes the Ley Básica Palestina, that concedes the igualdad de derechos a los adultos, and signifies that the autoridades están “retrocediendo in the protección of human rights”.

Hamas also imposed an Islamic dress code on female lawyers and high school students.

This setback in women’s rights could spark a backlash in Gaza at a time when Palestinians plan to hold elections later this year. He could also consolidate support for Hamas within his Islamic base as he faces criticism over living conditions in the territory he has ruled since 2007.

Israel and Egypt have largely sealed Gaza’s borders since the terrorist group seized power in the Palestinian enclave. Israel says the restrictions are necessary to isolate the extremist movement, with which it has fought three wars, and prevent it from acquiring weapons.

With AP information

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