Holy Land Foundation (Terrorist Funding?)

Oh no, imagine that. A Muslim charity within the US is charged with funneling money to Hamas among other terrorist organizations.

The investigation into the Holy Land Foundation has been extensive. Do a search of the web and you will find references to this organization that go back many years for example here is one from the ADL.

In 1989 in an IAP and HLF sponsored event, a masked man took the stage to praise Hamas, describing the 'oceans of blood' it would bring on the Israelis. He also thanked the two organizations, singling them for being early allies of Hamas. Other speakers praised Hamas, and a Hamas banner draped the table from which they spoke. According to The Dallas Morning News, HLF's leaders claimed that sharing the stage with Hamas activists is not equal to supporting it.

Here is another:

In 1997, Israel banned the Jerusalem-based Holy Land Foundation as a Hamas front-group. That year, Israel raided the group's headquarters and seized documents that allegedly linked the Jerusalem office with the HLF in the U.S. Israel security also arrested the Jerusalem Holy Land Foundation's director, Mohammed Othman (a.k.a. Rahman Anati), for purportedly distributing monthly stipends to families of Hamas suicide bombers. According to the Israeli authorities most of the money Othman dispensed was raised by the HLF operation in Texas. HLF representatives do not deny the fact that it gives money to the orphans and widows of Hamas activists but claim that the money is given on the basis of need and not the political affiliation of the deceased.

This morning it was announced that the HLF was indicted for their links to terrorism.

Take a look at CNN.com for the latest.

Click continue reading for the full story from CNN.

Now, my take on it. If this organization is in fact funding terrorism, I say we take all parties involved and cage them with swine. Let them spend the rest of their lives caged with pigs in conditions as inhumane as possibly achievable. In our politically correct world we often get so caught up in being "right" or "fair" that we forget the value of fear. If terrorists, within the United States are shown the worst possible scenario of punishment for their actions they just might think twice before supporting terror both abroad and in the US. We need to pull no punches and throw PC to the wind and deal with these evil people in a manner that will shake their brethren to the core.

SlagleRock Out!

For additional information take a look at the ADL and CNN

U.S. authorities planned to announce Tuesday charges against a Texas-based Muslim charity and seven individuals on charges related to financing terrorism, law enforcement sources said.

U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft planned to announce at a news conference later Tuesday the details of the indictment against the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development and the seven individuals.

Officials said the indictments by a Dallas, Texas, grand jury will name as defendants figures associated with the charity, which was virtually shut down by federal authorities who seized the organization's assets two years ago.

According to The Associated Press, the indictment includes a count or counts of conspiracy, providing support to an international terrorist organization, conspiracy to deal in the property of a terrorist, and dealing in the property of a specially designated terrorist.

The indictment also alleges money-laundering, conspiracy to impede an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service and filing false tax returns, the AP reported.

Among the men charged were Shukri Abu Baker, the foundation's former chief executive, according to the AP.

Federal authorities said five of the seven indicted persons were arrested early Tuesday in Texas, New Jersey, and California. The two others are believed to be overseas, but authorities declined to be more specific.

Authorities have accused Holy Land Foundation of operating as a front for Hamas, a Palestinian Islamic fundamentalist organization that the United States and Israel call an international terrorist organization. The group operates an extensive social services network in the Palestinian territories.

Within weeks after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, an FBI investigation identified Holy Land Foundation as the source of financial support for Hamas, and for family members of suicide bombers.

The government then froze the charity's assets, and courts have upheld the action.

On Monday, however, lawyers for Holy Land sent a formal complaint against the FBI to the Justice Department inspector general demanding an investigation into the FBI for distorting facts and falsifying evidence. A spokesman for the inspector general Tuesday confirmed receipt of correspondence from the Holy Land Foundation, but declined comment.

Posted by SlagleRock at July 27, 2004 10:49 AM