Investigating and Prosecuting Hamas in America

In the wake of the October 7^th attacks in Israel, Western governments have increased their focus on Hamas support networks and activities on their soil. In particular, Western-based individuals and organizations have long-operated charities and other financial networks that collect funds for the Palestinian terrorist organization. Identifying and disrupting these entities has proven arduous, due largely to investigative and prosecutorial challenges. The US has long taken the lead in the Western world in tackling Hamas funding and has achieved some important successes that could yield relevant lessons for future efforts.

To discuss these matters, on December 12th, 2023 at 2 PM ET, the Program on Extremism at the George Washington University hosted four senior US government officials with extensive experience in investigating Hamas in America. All four played a key role in the 2008 prosecution of the Holy Land Foundation, the Texas-based charity whose officials were convicted of funneling more than $12 million to Hamas in what is, to date, the largest terrorism financing case in US history. This event was not recorded, but a brief summary of the discussion is provided below. 

This event was moderated by Program Director Lorenzo Vidino and featured insights from:

• Barry Jonas, Assistant United States Attorney
• Elizabeth Shapiro, Deputy Director in the Department of Justice’s Civil Division, Federal Programs Branch
• Jeffrey Breinholt, Assistant Professor at the National War College