American Jewish Committee Applauds U.S. Action Against Funders of Hamas

American Jewish Committee
Tuesday, 4 December 2001

The American Jewish Committee today applauded the Bush Administration for shutting down a U.S. organization that has raised millions of dollars for the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas.

The full text of the AJC statement follows:

"President Bush has shown steely determination and extraordinary leadership in the war against terrorism, going after groups and individuals that carry out acts of terror, as well as their international supporters – including, in today's case, a support network that has operated for years in our own country.

"The President's order to freeze the assets of the Holy Land Foundation, shut their Texas headquarters and satellite offices in three other states, and seize their records is a bold and welcome step. The Holy Land Foundation since at least the early 1990's has funneled private contributions to Hamas terrorists, masking its activities under the cover of charity but recognized by terrorism experts as a front for extremist Palestinian violence against Israel. Today's move demonstrates both the scope of the problem we face in fighting terror – and the determination of our government to confront this challenge.

"The President's order to cut off this U.S. source of funding for Hamas must be matched by similar steps by European and Arab governments, whose countries have also served as support bases for the suicide bombers and other agents of mayhem against America's democratic ally in the Middle East. Only through concerted action will we realize the destruction of what President Bush has called 'one of the deadliest terrorist groups in the world.' "

For more information, or to contact American Jewish Committee, see their website at: www.ajc.org