GOP lawmakers urge Stripe to sever ties with terrorist-linked fundraiser, accusing them of aiding Hamas
Exclusive: Stripe Faces Backlash for Supporting Fundraiser Linked to Palestinian Terrorism
The financial services company Stripe is facing criticism from Republican senators and House members for allowing a fundraiser associated with an Israeli-designated terrorist group to accept credit card donations. Legal experts have expressed concerns that Stripe may be providing ”material support” to terrorism. The fundraiser in question is the “#StopGazaStarvation Gaza Relief Campaign” organized by the Spanish Bizilur Association for Cooperation and Development of Peoples in partnership with the Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC). Israel has identified UAWC as an “arm” of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a U.S.-designated terror faction.
Lawmakers Call for Action
Republican lawmakers, including Sen. Ted Cruz and Sen. Marco Rubio, are urging Stripe to sever ties with the fundraiser and stand with Israel. They argue that Stripe, like other big tech companies, should not be exempt from laws prohibiting support for terrorism. The House committees on Foreign Affairs, Financial Services, and Ways and Means are also considering investigations into Stripe and other payment processors that may be indirectly supporting terrorism.
Background on UAWC and PFLP
The UAWC, based in the West Bank, is considered the “agricultural organization” of the PFLP, according to a 1993 report by Middle East expert Glenn Robinson. In 2018, major credit card companies such as Visa, Mastercard, and American Express barred UAWC from using their services due to its ties to the PFLP. UAWC staffers have been charged for their involvement in PFLP terror activities, including a roadside bombing that killed an Israeli teenager. Despite these connections, UAWC continues to receive grants from various countries and international organizations.
Pressure Mounts on Stripe
Stripe is facing increasing pressure to cut ties with the Gaza fundraiser. Rep. Mike Lawler, who sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has called on Stripe to follow PayPal’s example and drop the account. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito and Rep. Greg Murphy have also expressed their concerns about terrorist activities being funded under their noses and the need for aggressive action to combat it.
Concerns Over Terrorist Financing
The House Ways and Means Committee recently held a hearing on foreign terrorist financing through U.S. charities. Testimony from experts highlighted how terrorist organizations like Hamas have exploited the U.S. financial system to send millions of dollars overseas. Lawmakers are calling for private organizations to reject any association with groups promoting hate speech and violence.
UAWC’s Fundraiser and Accusations Against Israel
The UAWC and Bizilur fundraiser website accuses Israel of “genocide” and an “ethnic cleansing campaign in the West Bank.” Despite claiming to be politically neutral, UAWC has strong ties to the PFLP, which controls the organization. The Dutch government has suspended funding to UAWC due to these ties, and other countries and international organizations have provided substantial grants to UAWC in recent years.
Stripe has not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter.
“Anyone who is knowingly helping Hamas is aiding terrorists who have committed unspeakable acts against innocent civilians,” said Rep. Tim Burchett, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
What are the goals of the PFLP?
It combines Arab nationalism with Marxist-Leninist ideology, viewing the destruction of Israel as integral to the struggle to remove Western capitalism from the Middle East and ultimately establish a Communist Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. Ed transactions to UAWC due to its involvement with terrorism. The PFLP, designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, Canada, and Israel, has been responsible for numerous attacks targeting civilians, including airplane hijackings and bombings, since its formation in the late 1960s.
According to the Israeli Ministry of Defense, UAWC has been involved in providing financial support and aid to families of terrorists, as well as promoting and glorifying acts of violence against Israelis. In addition, the organization has been accused of using its agricultural activities as a cover for furthering the objectives of the PFLP.
Stripe’s Response
In response to the backlash, Stripe has stated that it relies on third-party sanctions lists, such as those provided by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), to determine whether an organization or individual is subject to sanctions. As UAWC is not currently listed by OFAC, Stripe argues that it is not in violation of any laws by processing transactions for the fundraiser.
However, legal experts have highlighted the potential risks associated with Stripe’s approach. The material support statute in the United States defines material support to include “expert advice or assistance.” By providing a platform for the fundraising campaign, Stripe may be seen as providing assistance to an organization linked to terrorism, thereby potentially falling within the boundaries of the law.
Implications for Tech Companies
This controversy raises broader questions about the responsibility of tech companies, particularly payment processors, in preventing support for terrorism. While companies like Stripe have policies in place to prevent transactions related to illegal activities, there may be a need for a more proactive approach to identify and address instances where funds are being funneled to terrorist organizations or their affiliates.
As technology continues to advance, so do the methods used by terrorist groups to finance their activities. It is crucial for tech companies to adapt their compliance and due diligence measures to effectively mitigate these risks. Failure to do so could expose these companies to legal and reputational consequences, in addition to facilitating the financing of terrorism.
The Way Forward
In light of the concerns raised, it is imperative for Stripe and other payment processors to reevaluate their processes and ensure they are not inadvertently supporting terrorism. This includes conducting robust and ongoing due diligence on the organizations they partner with, as well as enhancing their monitoring capabilities to detect and prevent transactions associated with terrorism or other illegal activities.
Furthermore, there is a need for clearer guidelines and regulations from governments and international bodies to assist tech companies in navigating this complex issue. Collaboration between governments, law enforcement agencies, and private sector entities is vital to effectively combat the financing of terrorism while preserving privacy and security.
In conclusion, the current controversy surrounding Stripe’s support for the Gaza Relief Campaign organized by the UAWC highlights the challenges faced by tech companies in preventing support for terrorism. It calls for a comprehensive and proactive approach, balancing the need to prevent terrorist financing with the respect for privacy and security. The outcome of this debate will have wider implications for the tech industry and its role in the global fight against terrorism.
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