Treasury Sanctions Hamas-Controlled Charities

The U.S. Treasury Department said Thursday it slapped sanctions on two Lebanon-based charities controlled by Hamas.

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A Palestinian man shows the entrance of a charity foundation and sports center in east Jerusalem on Jan. 29, 2012, where Israeli police temporarily shut down for being suspected of serving as fronts for Hamas activity.

Al-Waqfiya and Al-Quds, both based in Beirut, exist to support the families of Hamas fighters and prisoners, and to raise money for programs and projects in the Palestinian territories intended to spread Hamas’s influence and control, Treasury said.
“The Treasury Department will continue to work to disrupt Hamas’s efforts to radicalize vulnerable communities and undermine regional stability,” said David Cohen, undersecretary of Treasury for terrorism and financial intelligence, in a statement.
Al-Waqfiya was previously slapped with sanctions in November 2008 for supporting Hamas. It was created by Hamas in 2000 to financially support the families of Hamas members, has been run by senior Hamas leadership for year and several top players in Hamas play a dominant role in the organization, Treasury said.
When delivering money to Gaza, Al-Waqfiya obscures the source of funds so donations appear as charity, Treasury said. However, Treasury said, portions of the funds sent by the charity have been used by Hamas military operatives and have financed the group’s infrastructure.
Al Quds was created in 2001 in Beirut by members of Hamas to raise funds for projects in Jerusalem through the cover of charity, and the entire operation is run by Hamas leaders, according to the Treasury Department. Several members of the Al Quds board of trustees are already under U.S. sanctions.