U.S. official visits Turkey to prevent Hamas fundraising

ANKARA — The U.S. efforts are still continuing to stop supporting the Palestinian Hamas Movement, including imposing sanctions on Turkish companies and individuals.

U.S. Treasury Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nielsen confirmed during a visit to Turkey that he discussed with Turkish officials the U.S. deep concern about Hamas fundraising in Turkey to carry out terrorist attacks in the future.

Nielsen added that Turkey is “prominent” in Hamas ‘ plans to raise funds, pointing out that this helps it to get more cash, amid its war with Israel.

He declared that even if Turkey sees Hamas as legitimate, the Movement could still violate domestic laws, though he gave no specific example of this happening.

“There is sufficient opportunity for Turkey to address this problem under its own domestic legal authorities irrespective of U.S. sanctions,” he said.

The U.S. says a Hamas portfolio of investments, estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars, includes companies operating in Turkey, Sudan, Algeria, the United Arab Emirates and elsewhere.