All around the country, Islamic groups have been trying to convince federal law enforcement that organizations like Hamas are Freedom Fighters, not terrorist organizations. They also say the money they donate goes for food and education, not terrorism. Regardless, the State Department has put Hamas on the terrorist list and the result in this case has been some serious prison time.
By JASON TRAHAN
The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS — The five defendants in the Holy Land Foundation case were defiant Wednesday while being sentenced for their roles in funneling money to overseas terrorists, expressing disbelief that American law could criminalize the feeding of needy Palestinian people.
Three maintained their steadfast innocence.
The judge in the largest terrorism financing case in U.S. history disagreed, handing down sentences to two that will likely mean they’ll spend the rest of their lives behind bars for financing the terrorist group Hamas. The others were given sentences ranging from 15 to 20 years.
“Your function in life was raising money to support Hamas,” U.S. District Judge Jorge Solis told one of them in words that were repeated in some fashion as each defendant learned his fate.
“You stated it was to help people, but the motive was to support Hamas,” the judge said. “You state that you are innocent, but the evidence shows the opposite.
