An alleged Hamas financier on trial in the Netherlands for funneling funds to the Palestinian terrorist organization told an undercover investigator that his job was to take down Israel, according to the NGO Ad Kan.
The Rotterdam Court is expected on Wednesday to rule on the accusation that Amin Abu Rashid transferred approximately €8 million to Hamas networks between 2010 and 2023, in cooperation with the Rotterdam-based Israa Charitable Foundation Netherlands.
Ad Kan said that evidence provided by a plant in Abu Rashid’s circle and other activist organizations helped secure aspects of the prosecution, with undercover footage showing the motive behind his actions.
“My job is Israel down,” Abu Rashid said in a video filmed by the Ad Kan undercover agent. “That’s my job.”
The footage of the 58-year-old alleged Hamas financier was part of a multi-year undercover operation by an agent who infiltrated groups such as the International Solidarity Movement.
“Ad Kan has been working for years to strike at the leaders of global antisemitism,” said Ad Kan founder Gilad Ach.
The suspect misled financial institutions about Hamas ties
“Our long reach will get to anyone who harms Israel; we will ensure the downfall of Hamas in Europe and bring its senior officials to justice. Even if the State of Israel does not act in this arena, we will not stop!”
Activists on the opposing side announced protests outside the Rotterdam Court on Wednesday, with the Palestinian Community in the Netherlands (PGNL) asserting on social media that the trial was based on evidence from Israeli sources as part of an effort of the “Zionist lobby” to “silence critical voices and solidarity with Palestine.”
“This is not just about one person, but about the right to speak out against injustice, occupation, and oppression. The criminalization of solidarity must never become normalized,” PGNL said on Instagram, urging supporters to attend the demonstration.
Abu Rashid has long been accused by the Israeli government of being a leading Hamas official in Europe, and was sanctioned by the US in June, along with his daughter, for their role in financing the terrorist organization.
Both Abu Rashid and his daughter were arrested in 2023, and in April, the Netherlands Public Prosecution Service (PPS) announced that it was seeking a three-year prison sentence against him.
The Leidschendam resident played “a leading and decisive role in the collection and the ultimate destination of the funds” and knowingly evaded sanctions, “using intermediary structures to channel money to Hamas,” said PPS.
Continued terrorism finance activities
Alongside the Israa foundation, which was also sanctioned by the US Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in June for Hamas ties, the suspect had allegedly misled financial institutions by acting as if he had no involvement with the foundation.
The PPS said that the suspect had continued the terrorism finance activities of another sanctioned foundation, Al Aqsa Foundation, through Israa. They continued Al Aqsa’s activities from 2003, the year OFAC sanctioned that group.
Abu Rishad also worked closely with factions of the Gaza flotilla movement. In 2010, he participated in the MV Mavi Marmara flotilla.
