Arab Bank Questions Hamas Links in Terror-Funding Trial
Arab Bank Plc, accused in a U.S. trial of helping finance suicide bombings in and near Israel by processing transactions to benefit Hamas, sought to cast doubt on victims’ claims the attacks were caused by the Palestinian militant group.
Ronni Shaked, an Israeli researcher and journalist who testified that Hamas was likely behind all 24 attacks at issue in the case, faced questions from a lawyer for the bank yesterday about claims of responsibility by other militant groups, such as Islamic Jihad and al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade.
The Jordanian bank, based in Amman and the country’s largest, is facing claims for damages brought on behalf of almost 300 U.S. citizens who were either victims of attacks in the early 2000s or their relatives.
The bank has argued it provided “routine banking services” and “had no intention of providing support to Hamas or any other known terrorist organization.”
In recorded testimony played earlier this week, Bishara and other employees of the bank were asked to explain how the institution came to approve transfers that were made out to Hamas, which was designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S in 1997.
At the time of the transfers, the bank had no knowledge the owner of the account had any connection to the group, Bishara said in recorded testimony. After discovering the account number on what the plaintiffs allege was an official Hamas website, the bank closed the account, he said.
The case is Linde v. Arab Bank Plc, 04-cv-02799, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York (Brooklyn).
Source: bloomberg
