JERUSALEM, Sept. 7 (Xinhuanet) -- Israel on Sunday formally welcomed the announcement of the EU ministers of foreign affairs toadd the political wing of Hamas to the list of terrorist organizations, saying it is a step towards eventually stopping Hamas's activities.

　　"The branding of the Hamas as a terrorist organization and the blocking of its sources of funding constitute an important contribution to the war against terrorism," Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said in a statement issued on Sunday.

　　The move will do good not only in the region but throughout the world, he added.

　　"This decision represents a clear statement on the part of the foreign ministers of the European Union that whoever chooses to resort to terrorism will have no place in the family of nations," Shalom said.

　　EU foreign ministers denounced the political wing of Hamas as a terrorist organization on Saturday following the group's claim of responsibility for an Aug. 19 suicide bombing which killed 22 people in Jerusalem.

　　The decision, long sought after by both Israel and the United States, opens the way for Europe to freeze the group's assets and place its leaders on a terrorist blacklist.

　　The United States also gave the move a warm welcome.

　　"This is an important step in halting the financing of terroristactivities," US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said, "We look for the EU to carry through ... and to take action against Hamas on an urgent basis."

　　The European Union last year put the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's military wing, on its terrorist blacklist but held back from ostracizing its political wing. France argued at that time that it had a potential role to play in peace efforts. Enditem