Palestinian terror-linked fundraiser slashed by PayPal amid legal scrutiny

PayPal Shuts Down Gaza Fundraising Account Linked to Terrorist Organization

PayPal has closed ‍a Gaza fundraising ‌account that was benefiting an Israeli-designated terrorist organization, ⁢following ⁣pressure from a legal⁤ watchdog group. The account ⁣was associated with ⁤the Union ‌of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC), which has ties​ to the Popular Front for the Liberation​ of‌ Palestine (PFLP), ⁤a designated ⁢terrorist group. The Spanish Bizilur Association for Cooperation and Development of Peoples partnered with UAWC on⁤ a “#StopGazaStarvation Gaza Relief Campaign.” However, after receiving a ⁢warning from the⁤ Zachor Legal Institute,⁣ PayPal quietly shut down Bizilur’s account. Stripe, another credit card‍ processor, is currently conducting ⁢an internal ​investigation into the ​campaign.

Cracking Down on ⁢Terrorist Financing

The‌ Zachor Legal Institute, a pro-Israel think tank, commended PayPal for taking swift ‌action and called⁢ on Stripe to do the same. The institute has been advocating ⁤against ⁣the use of faux humanitarian groups by designated terror organizations​ for fundraising purposes. The recent​ developments ⁤involving​ major financial services companies highlight the mobilization of‍ Palestinian terrorist-tied groups and anti-Israel activists ⁢to support Gaza in⁣ the​ wake of the Hamas terrorist ⁣attacks in Israel.

Ties to Terrorism

The UAWC, based in the⁢ West Bank, has long been identified as the “agricultural” arm⁤ of ⁣the⁣ PFLP. In 2018,‌ Visa, Mastercard, and American Express barred the UAWC from ⁤using their services due to its ties to⁢ the PFLP. ⁢Two⁤ UAWC staffers were later charged with ‌involvement‌ in a PFLP terrorist cell and a roadside bombing⁤ that resulted in the‍ death of an Israeli teenager. Bizilur, the Spanish group partnering with ‌UAWC, claims to support⁣ the campaign due to restrictions​ imposed⁤ by Israel as an occupying power.

Investigations⁣ and Concerns

Zachor Legal Institute raised‌ concerns with PayPal​ about the potential funding​ of terror groups through the Bizilur account. PayPal ⁤removed the​ profile and disabled⁣ donations to ⁢the‌ fundraiser page.⁢ Stripe, however, is still processing payments for the Gaza fundraiser. The institute sent a letter to Stripe, prompting an ​internal⁣ investigation. Stripe stated that it would take appropriate‌ action⁣ based on the⁤ outcome of the review. Concerns have been raised that Stripe may be providing material​ support to⁤ terrorism.

Call for Action

Lawmakers, including Rep. Darrell Issa, have emphasized the need for‍ action to address the issue of terror funding and⁣ the abuse of payment processing systems. Efforts are being made to block payment processors ‌from inadvertently supporting terrorist​ factions. The‍ comprehensive response to this issue ‍requires the involvement⁢ of Congress.

Source: Washington Examiner

Why is it crucial for financial institutions ‍like Stripe to‍ conduct investigations and take necessary actions when alerted to potential risks associated with‍ fundraising efforts linked to terrorist organizations

Terrorist organizations to raise funds. By shutting down the Gaza fundraising account, PayPal has taken a commendable step in ⁢cracking down‍ on terrorist financing.

The Union ‌of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC), the organization associated with the closed account,‌ has long been known to⁢ have ties to⁢ the Popular Front for ‍the Liberation‌ of‌ Palestine (PFLP), a recognized terrorist group. This raises serious ⁣concerns regarding the ⁣funds being raised and how they could potentially be used to support terrorist activities.

The Spanish Bizilur Association for Cooperation and Development of Peoples partnered with ‍UAWC on the “#StopGazaStarvation Gaza Relief Campaign.” While the campaign⁣ might have appeared to be a humanitarian effort,⁣ the Zachor Legal Institute ⁣successfully uncovered the true nature of the fundraising and alerted PayPal to the potential risks.

PayPal’s quick response in shutting down the account demonstrates their commitment to stopping ⁤the flow of funds to terrorist organizations. It is important for financial institutions to‌ be vigilant in ensuring that they are not inadvertently supporting terrorism or allowing their⁣ platforms to be⁢ misused for such purposes.

However,⁣ the fight against terrorist financing does not end with PayPal’s actions. The Zachor Legal Institute has also called​ on ⁤Stripe, another credit card processor involved in the campaign, to conduct an ‌investigation and take necessary actions. It is crucial for Stripe to carefully examine the partnership and assess the potential risks associated with the fundraising.

By taking a proactive​ approach,‍ financial institutions ‌like PayPal and ​Stripe can play a significant ⁢role in undermining​ terrorist organizations’ funding⁤ sources. This not only disrupts their operations but also sends a⁢ strong message that terrorist activities and their financiers⁣ will not be tolerated.

It is important to note that this incident is ⁣not an isolated case. There have been multiple instances where terrorist organizations have exploited humanitarian causes to raise funds. These organizations have resorted to deceptive tactics, using seemingly legitimate⁣ campaigns to mask their true intentions.

This highlights the need for increased scrutiny and due diligence by​ financial institutions. Platforms like PayPal ​and Stripe must remain vigilant and actively monitor accounts and partnerships to ensure that they are not unwittingly supporting terrorism.

While shutting down a single account is a positive step, it should be‌ part of a broader effort to ⁢combat terrorist financing. Governments, law enforcement agencies, and financial ⁤institutions must work together to share information and intelligence, strengthen regulations, and develop robust mechanisms to identify and freeze​ assets linked to terrorist⁣ organizations.

In conclusion, PayPal’s decision to close the Gaza fundraising account associated with a designated terrorist organization is ‌an important ‌step in the ongoing fight against⁣ terrorist financing. It serves as a reminder that financial institutions have a responsibility to prevent their platforms from being exploited for illicit purposes. However, more needs to ‌be done ‍to ensure that terrorist organizations ‌are deprived of the funds they ⁣require to carry out violent acts. Only through collective and sustained efforts can we effectively disrupt their operations and protect innocent lives.

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