The U.S. Pressures Turkey to Prevent Fundraising for Hamas

A senior U.S. Treasury Department official on terrorism financing stated on Thursday, December 9, that he has conveyed deep concerns regarding fundraising for Hamas in Turkey and potential violations of local laws to officials in the country. According to Reuters, Brian Nelson, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, mentioned that Turkey is 'prominent' in fundraising schemes for Hamas, which is likely benefiting from it as it seeks more cash amid the ongoing war with Israel. Nelson, during a meeting with Turkish government officials and financial and business groups, told reporters in Istanbul, 'We are deeply concerned about Hamas's ability to raise funds and find financial support in Turkey for potential future terrorist attacks.' The Turkish Foreign Ministry did not respond to Reuters' request for comment. Unlike most of its Western allies and some Gulf states, Turkey does not consider Hamas a terrorist group and hosts several of its members. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan refers to Hamas as 'freedom fighters' and criticizes Israel for its recent attacks on Gaza as a 'terrorist state.' The U.S., Israel's closest ally, has sanctioned several Turkish entities and individuals in an effort to limit financial support to Hamas following Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7. According to the U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary, even if Turkey considers Hamas a legitimate group, it must address the violations of its own laws by this Palestinian group, although he did not specify any particular examples in this regard. Nelson further added that Turkish officials reminded him that Hamas is not considered a terrorist organization in Turkey, but at the same time, Turkey will not tolerate violations of domestic laws, including money laundering and direct financing for violent actions. Washington states that Hamas's investment portfolio, estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars, includes active companies in Turkey, Sudan, Algeria, the United Arab Emirates, and other countries.