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“GOP Lawmaker Uncovers Financial Connection Between Pro-Palestinian Charities and Hamas

A prominent GOP congressman has recently called on the U.S. Treasury Department to investigate “cash flow between pro-Palestinian charities and Hamas,” prompting new concerns over terrorist financing. Rep. Lee Zeldin of New York called for the investigation to be “timely and accurate” during a hearing he hosted last week with the Treasury department. Zeldin voiced his concern with the cash coming in from certain charities in Europe and the U.S., pointing out that the funds often end up in the hands of Hamas, a recognized foreign terrorist organization. This is not the first time Zeldin has pressed the issue of charity donations and terrorist financing. He also urged the Treasury Department last year to take “all possible steps” to address a similar problem with donations going to other foreign terrorist organizations, such as the Islamic State. The Treasury Department responded by stating that it has taken a number of measures over the years to address terrorist financing, including monitoring transactions to ensure they aren’t benefiting terrorist activities. It added that it is “committed” to working with the private sector to identify and disrupt sources of financial support for terrorists. Still, Zeldin remains critical of the federal government’s efforts, claiming that the Treasury Department has “been pretty quiet” on the matter of donations to Hamas. During the hearing last week, Zeldin also pressed Treasury officials on the specific banks and financial institutions that have been associated with the pro-Palestinian charities, asking if they have taken any action against them. At this time, it is unclear how the Treasury Department plans on responding to Zeldin’s call for an investigation, or if it will take any action at all. What is certain, however, is that the call has raised further questions about the government’s efforts to combat terrorist financing.