Trump Administration Sanctions UK-Based Activist Alleged to Be Hamas Senior Official
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Trump administration has intensified pressure on the United Kingdom by sanctioning Zaher Birawi, a Britain-based activist accused of serving as a senior Hamas official through his leadership of the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA). On January 21, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions against Birawi, alleging that the PCPA operates as a front to expand Hamas’s international influence and fundraising efforts.
The OFAC statement detailed actions taken against several Gaza-based groups alongside the PCPA, underscoring the U.S. government’s commitment to disrupting Hamas’s covert networks. At 64 years old, Birawi’s designation marks a significant move in the Trump administration’s broader strategy to counter terrorism financing and foreign extremist influence on Western soil.
U.S. intelligence agencies flagged Birawi’s activities as a potential terror threat, prompting calls for the UK government, led by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, to take decisive action. The administration’s sanctions come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and increased scrutiny of nonprofit organizations suspected of facilitating terror operations.
According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Birawi’s role in the PCPA enables Hamas to expand its reach beyond Gaza, leveraging charitable fronts to funnel resources and support. This designation freezes any U.S.-based assets and prohibits American persons from engaging in transactions with Birawi or the PCPA.
The move has drawn attention to the challenges Western governments face in balancing civil liberties with national security. The United Kingdom has faced criticism for its perceived leniency in addressing individuals linked to terrorist organizations operating within its borders. The Trump administration’s public pressure on the UK reflects a growing impatience with allies who are seen as insufficiently proactive.
Experts note that Birawi’s sanctioning fits into a broader U.S. campaign targeting Hamas’s global infrastructure. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and other intelligence agencies have long monitored the use of nonprofit organizations as conduits for terror financing. The Treasury’s action is part of a coordinated effort to disrupt these networks ahead of potential threats.
In response to the sanctions, British officials have yet to announce any immediate measures against Birawi or the PCPA. However, the U.S. government’s move is expected to catalyze diplomatic discussions aimed at tightening counterterrorism cooperation.
President Trump has also emphasized the importance of global partnerships in combating terrorism, recently highlighting the need for allies to align more closely with U.S. security priorities. The White House’s stance signals a willingness to leverage economic sanctions as a tool to compel action from international partners.
For more information on U.S. sanctions and counterterrorism efforts, visit the Treasury’s terrorism sanctions page and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Counterterrorism. These agencies continue to monitor and respond to evolving threats posed by terrorist organizations worldwide.
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