Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — A U.S. federal appeals court has determined that Hamas
employed the United States to derail an Israeli peace initiative with the
Palestinians.

The federal appeals court in Texas ruled that Hamas invested heavily in
its presence in the United States during the 1990s. The 5th Circuit court,
in a Dec. 7 decision that upheld the conviction of five Hamas-aligned
Muslims, said the Palestinian Islamic movement raised money for and drafted
strategy to torpedo the Israeli-Palestine Liberation Organization agreement
in 1993.

“By supporting such entities, the defendants facilitated Hamas’ activity by furthering its popularity among Palestinians and by providing a funding resource.” Judge Carolyn King wrote in the unanimous decision by the three-judge panel. “This, in turn, allowed Hamas to concentrate its efforts on violent activity.”

The court said the Texas-based Holy Land Foundation represented Hamas interests in the United States and raised millions of dollars for operations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The foundation, shut down by federal authorities in late 2001, coordinated with Hamas leaders, including Mussa
Abu Marzouk, said to have operated from his home in Virginia.

Hamas convened in Philadelphia soon after the Israel-PLO accord and planned to “derail the peace process,” the court said. Islamist operatives drafted code-words, including calling Hamas “Sister Samah,” and set requirements for funding for Hamas activities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The foundation, based on evidence presented by Israel, was deemed by the
court as the “financing arm for Hamas” in the United States. The government
said that from 1995 through 2001 the foundation sent $12.4 million from the
United States to Hamas.

Abu Marzouk, deputy chief of the Hamas political bureau, is said to
have received tens of thousands of dollars through the foundation. Abu
Marzouk was also alleged to have sent hundreds of thousands of dollars to
other Islamic groups through Khari Al Agha, identified as a Hamas financier.

  Court rules Hamas arm in U.S. tried to derail Israel-Palestinian peace effort, Holy Land Foundation, Khari Al Agha, Mussa Abu Marzouk, Palestinian Liberation Organization, Sister Samah