On October 7, a terrible attack by Hamas terrorists resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people in a single day. Since then, anti-Israel feelings and antisemitism have been spreading in Europe. In the Netherlands, Jewish people have faced abuse, with strangers shouting slurs like “child murderer” and “dirty Jew.” In the UK, voters elected four politicians who strongly criticize Israel and label its actions against Hamas as “genocide.” One even questioned reports about Hamas raping their female victims.
Recently, a nonprofit group called the European Leadership Network, which supports Israel, published a report revealing the shocking roots of this rising hate. The report, titled “Hamas in Europe,” explains how Hamas has been quietly building a network in Europe using charities and nonprofits to fund their operations.
The report highlights five countries where Hamas is most active outside Gaza: the UK, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Belgium. It contains detailed histories of several individuals with connections to Hamas who live in Europe while fundraising and promoting the terrorist group.
Key Figures Exposed
- Mohammad Hannoun
A 62-year-old man from Jordan, Hannoun has sent at least $4 million to Hamas over the past ten years. He runs an organization called the Charity Association of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, which claims to raise money for humanitarian causes. However, U.S. authorities have stated that this charity actually helps fund Hamas’s military activities. Just three days after the October 7 attack, Hannoun told an Italian journalist that Hamas’s actions were “self-defense.” He actively promotes anti-Israel rallies on social media, calling Israel’s actions a “Nazi Zionist genocide in Palestine.” - Majed Al-Zeer
Al-Zeer is a 62-year-old British-Jordanian citizen who is considered a key figure for Hamas in the UK and Germany. He founded the Palestinian Return Centre in 1996, which lobbies the British Parliament and has a special status at the UN. Despite being labeled an “unlawful association” by Israel in 2010, Al-Zeer continues to organize anti-Israel rallies in Berlin, where he moved in 2014. - Amin Abou Rashed
Abou Rashed was arrested in the Netherlands last year for allegedly sending around $6 million to Hamas. He has a history of hiding behind political causes and humanitarian efforts to promote Hamas’s beliefs. He gained asylum in the Netherlands in 1992 and has been seen with top Hamas leaders.
The Dark Network Uncovered
The report reveals how these individuals and their charities are linked to Hamas, using public information from social media and nonprofit registrations. Mark Sachs, a director at the European Leadership Network, emphasized that most people are unaware of what is happening right under their noses.
According to the report, since early 2024, Hamas has been receiving up to $10 million a month from these organizations, which are mainly located in Europe. The U.S. Treasury Department has warned that Hamas uses the suffering in Gaza to solicit funds through fake charities that claim to help civilians.
The Need for Awareness
Sachs points out that many Americans view Hamas as a local issue in Gaza, but it is actually a sophisticated global network with operatives throughout Europe and the U.S. working against Western interests. Italy has become a hub for fundraising and lobbying for Hamas due to a lack of effective action from European authorities.
Recently, the U.S. has joined European countries in cracking down on Hamas operatives, announcing sanctions against Hannoun, Al-Zeer, and their charity. The report shows how these groups have managed to dissolve when designated as terrorist organizations and reappear under new names with the same leadership.
The European Leadership Network report reveals a troubling reality: Hamas is deeply embedded in Europe, using charities and nonprofits as fronts to fund its operations. These groups may have innocent-sounding names, but they are part of a larger plan that poses a threat to security and stability. It’s crucial for people to become aware of this issue to prevent the further spread of hate and violence.
