ISTANBUL, Nov 30 (Reuters) - The U.S. Treasury’s top terrorism financing official said on Thursday he had discussed with Turkish government officials his deep concerns about Palestinian militant group Hamas raising funds in Turkey and potentially breaking local laws.
Turkey is “prominent” in Hamas fundraising schemes and the group is likely to take advantage of that as it seeks more cash amid its war with Israel, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said.
“We are profoundly concerned with Hamas’s ability to continue to fund raise and find financial support (here in Turkey) for potential future terrorist attacks,” Nelson told reporters in Istanbul between meetings with Turkish government officials and financial and business groups.
Turkey’s foreign ministry was not immediately available to comment.
This is the best summary I could come up with:
Turkey is “prominent” in Hamas fundraising schemes and the group is likely to take advantage of that as it seeks more cash amid its war with Israel, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said.
President Tayyip Erdogan has called Hamas “freedom fighters” and criticised Israel as a “terror state” over its bombardment of Gaza in recent weeks.
Nelson said Turkey was connected to Hamas’ past efforts to raise funds from donors, investment portfolios, charities and non-profit organisations.
Nelson said Turkish officials had reminded him that Hamas was not a designated terrorist organisation in the country but also that Turkey would not tolerate violations of domestic laws including money laundering and direct funding of violent acts.
Washington says a Hamas portfolio of investments, estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars, includes companies operating in Turkey, Sudan, Algeria, the United Arab Emirates and elsewhere.
Ankara has told Washington to provide proof of its claims given it opposes the sanctions on principle, and maintains good ties with both Moscow and Kyiv even as it condemns the invasion.
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