The most popular means for terrorist groups to raise and transmit funds in the United States are charitable and nongovernmental organizations. Some charities have been abused by terrorists, who have redirected money meant for humanitarian purposes to terrorism. For example, Hamas, the Palestinian militant organization, used the Holy Land Foundation, a US charity organization, to fund its terrorist activities.
For this assignment, review the subject of terrorism financing. Read the case of Mohammed and Chawki Hamoud, two brothers who lived in North Carolina and raised millions of dollars for Hezbollah.
Mohamad Youssef Hammoud sentenced to 30 years in terrorism financing case
Prepare a report in Microsoft Word that covers the following points.
Describe the mechanics of the Hamoud brothers’ operation. Show specifically how they managed to raise so much money. Identify and explain the specific laws that were broken. Discuss Hezbollah, including their mission and history. What might that group have used the money for? Describe the other ways that Hezbollah receives funding and from whom. Evaluate the efforts being made by counterterrorism authorities to identify and disrupt operations designed to raise money for terror groups.
Full Answer Section
This report will examine the case of Mohammed and Chawki Hamoud, two brothers who lived in North Carolina and raised millions of dollars for Hezbollah. It will also discuss Hezbollah, including its mission and history, as well as the other ways that the group receives funding and from whom. Finally, it will evaluate the efforts being made by counterterrorism authorities to identify and disrupt operations designed to raise money for terror groups.
Mechanics of the Hamoud Brothers' Operation
The Hamoud brothers raised money for Hezbollah through a variety of means, including:
Charitable organizations: The brothers established and controlled a network of charitable organizations that they used to raise money for Hezbollah. These organizations included the Islamic American Relief Agency (IARA), the Islamic Relief Fund (IRF), and the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development (HLF).
Business activities: The brothers also owned and operated a number of businesses, including a car dealership and a restaurant. They used these businesses to generate income that they funneled to Hezbollah.
Personal donations: The brothers also solicited personal donations from individuals and families. They often claimed that the donations would be used for humanitarian purposes, such as providing food and medical supplies to people in need. However, the donations were actually used to fund Hezbollah's terrorist activities.
The Hamoud brothers were able to raise millions of dollars for Hezbollah because they were able to exploit the legitimate US financial system and because they were able to convince people that their organizations were legitimate charities.
Laws Broken by the Hamoud Brothers
The Hamoud brothers violated a number of laws, including:
The Material Support for Terrorism Act: This law prohibits the provision of material support, including financial support, to terrorist organizations.
The International Emergency Economic Powers Act: This law gives the President the authority to impose economic sanctions on countries and organizations that support terrorism.
The Bank Secrecy Act: This law requires financial institutions to report suspicious activity to the government.
Hezbollah
Hezbollah is a Lebanese Shia Muslim political and militaristic non-governmental organization and party founded in 1982. The stated goals of Hezbollah are the establishment of an Islamic government in Lebanon, the destruction of Israel, and the liberation of Palestine.
Hezbollah is considered to be a terrorist organization by the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Israel, Japan, Australia, and other countries.
Hezbollah has been involved in a number of terrorist attacks, including the 1983 Marine barracks bombing in Beirut, the 1992 Israeli embassy bombing in Buenos Aires, and the 2006 Lebanon War.
Hezbollah has also been accused of supporting the Syrian government in the Syrian Civil War and of providing weapons and training to Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups.
Hezbollah receives funding from a variety of sources, including:
Iran: Iran is Hezbollah's primary financial backer. Iran provides Hezbollah with hundreds of millions of dollars in funding each year.
Syria: Syria also provides Hezbollah with financial and military support.
Lebanon: Hezbollah also receives funding from the Lebanese government.
Fundraising activities: Hezbollah also raises money through fundraising activities, such as telethons and charity events.
Efforts to Disrupt Terrorist Financing
Counterterrorism authorities are taking a number of steps to identify and disrupt operations designed to raise money for terror groups. These steps include:
Monitoring financial transactions: Counterterrorism authorities are monitoring financial transactions to identify suspicious activity that may be linked to terrorist financing.
Investigating charities: Counterterrorism authorities are also investigating charities and NGOs to identify those that may be being used to finance terrorism.
Educating the public: Counterterrorism authorities are also educating the public about the dangers of terrorist financing and how to avoid being scammed.
Conclusion
Terrorism financing is a serious crime that can have devastating consequences. It is important to be aware of the different ways that terrorist groups raise money and to take steps to protect yourself from being scammed.
Counterterrorism authorities are taking a number of steps to identify and disrupt operations designed to raise money for terror groups, but more needs to be done. It is important to support the efforts of counter
Sample Answer
Report on Terrorism Financing
Introduction
Terrorism financing is the act of providing financial assistance to terrorist organizations. It is a serious crime that can have devastating consequences. Terrorist groups use the funds they raise to finance their activities, which can include attacks on civilians, the development of weapons of mass destruction, and the recruitment of new members.
One of the most popular means for terrorist groups to raise and transmit funds in the United States is through charitable and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Some charities have been abused by terrorists, who have redirected money meant for humanitarian purposes to terrorism. For example, Hamas, the Palestinian militant organization, used the Holy Land Foundation, a US charity organization, to fund its terrorist activities.