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Hamas was said to have employed the U.S. banking system for finances and donations.
A trial in U.S. court heard allegations that the Arab Bank funneled millions of dollars through the American banking system and to Hamas. Attorneys for the plaintiffs said Arab Bank, with headquarters in Amman, Jordan, required their employees to donate five percent to Hamas and the Palestinian revolt against Israel.
“Millions, literally millions flowed right down the middle of Madison Avenue,” Tab Turner, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said.
The allegations began the trial of Arab Bank on Aug. 14. The plaintiffs said the Arab Bank, with branches in 30 countries, transferred money to Hamas, including the families of suicide bombers, via Saudi Arabia. Recipients of bank transfers were said to have included Hamas deputy chief Ismail Haniyeh, the late military commander Ahmed Jabari and founding members Salah Shehada and Ibrahim Muqadama.
“You will see bank records in black and white that say ‘Hamas,'” lead attorney for the plaintiffs, Mark Werbner, said.
The Arab Bank was also said to have used Hizbullah’s Al Shahid Foundation to transfer money to Hamas.
The attorneys cited photographs, bank records, correspondence and memorandums that linked the bank with Hamas and the financing of attacks against Israel more than a decade ago.
Attorneys for the Arab Bank denied knowledge that Hamas was the recipient of money transfers. In April 2013, the U.S. District Court in New York orders sanctions on the Arab Bank for refusing to release documents to the plaintiffs.
“Our hearts go out to the victims,” defense attorney Shand Stephens said. “[But] we’re not here with Hamas as a defendant.”
