Israeli NGO sues to take down Hamas crypto donations page

An Israeli civil rights NGO Shurat HaDin (Israel Law Center) contacted the U.S.-based crypto exchange Coinbase with the information Palestinian fundamentalist organisation Hamas is accepting donations via the exchange, the Jerusalem Post reports.

Shurat HaDin also threatened to sue Coinbase if this continues. Hamas is viewed as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S., therefore “knowingly providing material support or resources to Hamas is a violation of U.S. federal criminal law.” The NGO demanded “that Coinbase immediately terminate any and all accounts and services provided to Hamas.”

While Hamas managed to only raise approximately $2,500 in bitcoin, it can be accused of breaching Coinbase’s terms of service, which prohibit the use of Coinbase to promote or encourage “violent acts.” If terrorist financing is suspected the company may reject, block or reverse such transactions.