Amin Abu Rashid
Encyclopedia
Amin Abu Rashid, nicknamed "Amin Abu-Ibrahim" (born ), is a Palestinian Dutch national. He has lived in Amsterdam
and in Rotterdam
, in The Netherlands.
According to a U.S. government exhibit and other sources, Rashid was a member of the Al-Aqsa Foundation
in Rotterdam. The al-Aqsa Foundation has been described by the United States as a "critical part of Hamas' transnational terrorist support infrastructure" which "uses humanitarian relief as cover to provide support to the Hamas terrorist organization". In May 2003 the al-Aqsa Foundation was designated by the United States Department of the Treasury
as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) entity. As a result of this designation, all assets of the al-Aqsa Foundation have been blocked. Other nations, including the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, the United Kingdom
, Luxembourg
and Switzerland
, have also banned the al-Aqsa Foundation..
In 2009, the Palestine News Network
reported that Rashid was the Secretary General of the Popular Forum in the Netherlands.
In December 2009, Middle East Monitor described him as the head of a delegation from the Conference of Palestinians in Europe.
reported in June 2011 that Rashid, who the paper described as the "brain" behind the flotilla, helped arrange the purchase of a Dutch ship for use in the flotilla, allegedly organized the majority of the funding for the flotilla, and had been seen training with the flotilla crew in Greece.
As a second flotilla
was being formed in June 2011, Israeli Public Affairs and Diplomacy Minister Yuli Edelstein said that:
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
and in Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
, in The Netherlands.
According to a U.S. government exhibit and other sources, Rashid was a member of the Al-Aqsa Foundation
Al-Aqsa Foundation
The al-Aqsa Foundation is an international charity with alleged ties to the Palestinian militant organisation Hamas. The head office of the foundation was located in Germany until it was closed by the German authorities in July 2002...
in Rotterdam. The al-Aqsa Foundation has been described by the United States as a "critical part of Hamas' transnational terrorist support infrastructure" which "uses humanitarian relief as cover to provide support to the Hamas terrorist organization". In May 2003 the al-Aqsa Foundation was designated by the United States Department of the Treasury
United States Department of the Treasury
The Department of the Treasury is an executive department and the treasury of the United States federal government. It was established by an Act of Congress in 1789 to manage government revenue...
as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) entity. As a result of this designation, all assets of the al-Aqsa Foundation have been blocked. Other nations, including the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
and Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, have also banned the al-Aqsa Foundation..
In 2009, the Palestine News Network
Palestine News Network
The Palestine News Network is an Arabic language media network run by Palestinians in the Palestinian Territories . It operates under the charitable organization the Holy Land Trust and is based in Bethlehem in the West Bank. It reports on all Palestine related news both abroad and domestic...
reported that Rashid was the Secretary General of the Popular Forum in the Netherlands.
In December 2009, Middle East Monitor described him as the head of a delegation from the Conference of Palestinians in Europe.
Role in Gaza-bound flotillas
De TelegraafDe Telegraaf
De Telegraaf is the largest Dutch daily morning newspaper, with a daily circulation of approximately . De Telegraaf is based in Amsterdam...
reported in June 2011 that Rashid, who the paper described as the "brain" behind the flotilla, helped arrange the purchase of a Dutch ship for use in the flotilla, allegedly organized the majority of the funding for the flotilla, and had been seen training with the flotilla crew in Greece.
As a second flotilla
Freedom Flotilla II
"Freedom Flotilla II – Stay Human" was a flotilla that planned to break the maritime blockade of the Gaza Strip by Israel by sailing to Gaza on 5 July 2011. Ultimately, the sailing did not take place....
was being formed in June 2011, Israeli Public Affairs and Diplomacy Minister Yuli Edelstein said that:
The participation of Hamas member Amin Abu Rashid in the flotilla, who is known for fundraising money for Hamas terror operations, is clear proof that this is not a humanitarian flotilla, but a provocation and a terror operation in disguise of a flotilla. In the previous flotilla, Abu Rashid expressed his intentions to clash with IDFIsrael Defense ForcesThe Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
soldiers and we must take into account that this will be his intention in the current flotilla.