Captured documents: Saudi Arabia finances terror activities

IDF Spokesperson Website 10 May 2002

Large sums of money transferred by Saudi Arabia to the Palestinians are used
for financing terror organizations (particularly the Hamas) and terrorist
activities (including suicide attacks inside Israel).

[IMRA: For some reason the extremely interesting appendices that accompany
this report appear as images rather than text. Unfortunately due to time
constraints, IMRA is not converting the images to text.]
http://www.idf.il/saudi_arabia/site/english/main_index.stm

Introduction #1
1. During Operation Defensive Shield Saudi Arabian and Palestinian documents
were captured, which indicate the systematic and ongoing transfer of large
sums of money to the Palestinians by official Saudi institutions for
"supporting the Intifada". Among the various institutions, "the Saudi
Committee for Support of the Intifada Al Quds" headed by the Saudi Interior
Minister stands out.

2. The captured documents demonstrate that the Saudi support was not only of
a humanitarian religious nature, as Saudi spokesmen in the U.S. claim. The
documents clearly reveal that Saudi Arabia transferred, inter alia, large
sums of money in a systematic and ongoing manner to families of suicide
terrorists, to the Hamas Organization (on the U.S. list of terror
organizations) and to persons and entities identified with the Hamas.
According to the captured documents, the Saudi Committee for Support of the
Intifada was aware that the funds it transferred were paid to families of
terrorists who perpetrated murderous attacks in Israeli cities, in which
hundreds of Israelis were killed and wounded. An American woman was also
killed in one of these attacks.
3. There are three main implications of the transfer of funds by Saudi
Arabia to the Palestinians.
a. The encouragement of terror attacks, including suicide attacks. The
family of a dead terrorist receives a one-time grant from Iraq and Saudi
Arabia (the two Arab states leading the effort to support the families of
dead terrorists) and from other Arab states, amounting, in our assessment,
to a sum earned in about 6 years of work. In addition, the Saudis provide
aid to families of imprisoned and wounded terrorists. All this considerably
increases the motivation to perpetrate terror attacks, including suicide
attacks.
b. Strengthening of the Hamas terror-attack apparatus. From the perspective
of the Hamas movement, the contributions received from Saudi Arabia and the
Gulf States constitute the main part of its budget, including the budget of
its operational apparatus. It can be assumed that some of the money
transferred to Hamas (and to charity institutions affiliated with the Hamas)
have "trickled" into the Hamas military operational apparatus ("Iz Al-Din Al
Qassam") and were used to finance its terrorist activities. It is of note
that various documents regarding the Hamas operational disposition
(including posters of suicide terrorists) were found on the premises of the
Tulkarm "Charity Committee" (where the Saudi aid committee documents were
found).
c. Strengthening the Hamas' status among the Palestinian population and
weakening the Palestinian Authority. The aid funds that were transferred by
Saudi Arabia and by Islamic institutions from around the world (including
those identified with radical Islam) were in many instances funneled to the
Hamas and entities supporting it. The local Palestinian population
identified these funds with the Hamas movement and with the widespread
system of welfare and charity institutions under its control. The captured
documents point to the fact that attempts by Arafat and the PA in the first
months of the "Intifada" to change this problematic situation (including by
a personal request of Arafat to senior Saudi Arabian officials who supervise
money transfers) were in vain.

Introduction #2
1. During Operation Defensive Shield captured documents were found of Saudi
Arabian and Palestinian origin which describe the systematic and ongoing
transfer of large sums of money to the PA areas by Saudi Arabian
institutions and associations for "support of the Intifada". These sums are
transferred for various purposes: support for families of those killed in
the Intifada, including to families of suicide terrorists killed during
attacks; support for families of imprisoned terrorists; aid for medical care
of wounded terrorists; various projects, occasionally of a political nature
such as renovation of the Cave of the Patriarchs and nearby houses, or
rehabilitation of houses in the old city of Jerusalem.
2. On the face of it, this looks like Saudi Arabian aid of a religious
humanitarian nature, as Saudi Arabian spokesmen in the US claim. However,
the captured documents reveal another side to the Saudi aid: from the
documents it is clear that these funds served, inter alia, for supporting
terrorist organizations and for encouraging the violence carried out in the
PA areas since September 2000. In this framework the Saudis transferred
funds to the Hamas Organization (on the US list of terror organizations), to
entities and persons identified with it, to other radical groups in the PA
areas and to families of suicide terrorists who carried out murderous
attacks in Israeli densely populated areas.

3. Among the Saudi Arabian institutions and organizations involved in
transferring funds for "aid to the Intifada", of note is the place of the
"Saudi Arabian Committee for Support of the Intifada al Quds", headed by
Saudi Interior Minister, the Emir Naif Ibn Abed al Aziz. This committee,
according to the captured documents, transferred large sums of money to
families of Palestinians who died in violent events, including notorious
terrorists who masterminded and directed murderous attacks in Israel or who
carried out attacks in which hundreds of Israelis were killed and wounded.
The captured documents reveal that the Saudi committee was well aware of
which families received the aid funds, and in some cases also of the
circumstances under which the suicide terrorists met their death. This, in
our assessment according to the information they received from Islamic
entities in the PA areas, including from the "Charity Committee" of Tulkarm,
which is identified with the Hamas (where the Saudi documents were found,
including tables of the Saudi Arabian committee with details of the money
transfer cycles to the families of those killed in the Intifada).

The main implications of the transfer of large sums of money with no
effective supervision to terrorist organizations, the persons and entities
affiliated with these organizations, and to families of terrorists are
threefold:

1. Encouragement of terror attacks

Terror activities, including suicide attacks engender handsome rewards for
the dead terrorists' families, from Arab states who compete between them in
this regard. Of note among these states is Iraq (first place) and Saudi
Arabia (second place). According to our calculations, the family of a
Palestinian killed in the Intifada receives a lump sum in aid from Arab
states and the PA which is the equivalent of 6 years average salary (see
Appendix F). It is known that in addition to the lump sum, the Saudis also
give the families of killed terrorists ongoing financial aid, and they also
help families of the imprisoned and wounded (for example, in captured
documents appears a list of 500 prisoners bearing the logo of the Saudi
Committee for Support of Intifada al Quds). A terrorist who sets out to
carry out attacks knows that his family will receive large sums of money in
the event of his death, injury or detention. This undoubtedly increases the
motivation of terrorists sent to carry out terror attacks and encourages the
suicide attacks phenomenon.

2. Strengthening the Hamas' attacks apparatus

It can be assumed that some of the funds that were transferred to the Hamas
or entities linked to it also "trickled" to the Hamas operational-military
apparatus ("Iz Al-Din Al-Qassam Battalions") and were used for funding
military activity and terrorist attacks. It is of note in this connection
that during Operation Defensive Shield, large quantities of documents
belonging to the Hamas and its operational wing, the "Iz Al-Din Al-Qassam
Battalions" were found in the Tulkarm "Charity Committee" which has ties
with the Saudi committee. These documents included incitement to carry out
Jihad and terrorism, encouragement of suicide attacks and photos of suicide
terrorists (for example, a leaflet of the "Iz Al-Din Al-Qassam Battalions"
claiming responsibility for the murder of Israeli civilians at the Park
Hotel, Netanya on Passover Eve; or an excerpt from the will of Dr. Abdallah
Azam, the spiritual mentor and good friend of Usama Bin Laden, who preaches
for Jihad and whose goal is to destroy all the "idol worshippers, heretics
and wicked".

3. Strengthening the Hamas' status among the Palestinian population and
weakening the Palestinian Authority

The aid funds that were transferred by the Saudi committee and by Islamic
institutions from around the world (including those identified with radical
Islam) were in many instances funneled to institutions and persons
identified with the Hamas (including the Tulkarm "Charity Committee"). The
local Palestinian population identified these aid funds with the Hamas
movement and with the widespread system of welfare and charity institutions
under its control. This increased the popular support for the Hamas
movement, weakened the political and popular power and status of the PA and
created a socio-economic infrastructure for the Hamas upon which it built
its operational attacks apparatus.

Appendix A
The tenth payment cycle transferred by the Saudi Committee for Support of
Intifada Al Quds

1. In the "Tulkarm Charity Committee" (identified with the Hamas) were found
tables listing four payment cycles made by "the Saudi Committee for Support
of Intifada al Quds" for the Intifada victims: first (50 names); second (132
names); third (we have one page containing 22 names - there may be more
pages) and tenth (102 names).

2. The table pertaining to the 10th cycle includes the names of 102 people
who died in the Intifada during 2000-2001 (most in 2001), arranged in the
following columns: serial number; the beneficiary's form number; name of the
victim; age; date of death; address; area of residence; manner of death; the
bank [via which the Saudi money is transferred]; name of the beneficiary; ID
[of the beneficiary]; the payment cycle [10th cycle in all rows]; sum
[20,000 Riyal in each row, 2,040,000 Riyal total].

3. Of the names appearing in these payment cycles, the 10th cycle - found in
the computer of the "Tulkarm Charity Committee" (17 March 2002) - was
examined.

4. Of the 102 names included in the table, we chose to describe 36 notorious
terrorists, in two groups: first, 8 terrorists which Saudi table explicitly
mentions that they were killed while carrying out suicide operations
("Amaliah Istishadiah" in the original) and in several cases citing the
place where the suicide attack was carried out ("the suicide attack in
Afula", for instance). This is of importance since it proves that the Saudis
were well aware to which families their aid money was transferred. The
second group is of 28 terrorists, including notorious activists who took
part in directing and perpetrating terror and murder attacks.

5. The following 8 terrorists were mentioned in the Saudi table as
perpetrators of "suicide operations (marked yellow in the Arabic original):
1) Abd al Fatah Muhammad Muslah Rashed (number 15 in the table). Born in
Tulkarm, served as a police officer in the Palestinian Authority. At the end
of the 1980s he was a Fatah activist who participated in attacks against
Palestinian collaborators and in the kidnapping of a Jew in Tulkarm. He
later joined the PIJ. On 9 September 2001, he carried out a suicide attack
in Bet Lid Junction, where a car bomb wounded 8 Israelis. The PIJ claimed
responsibility for the attack.
2) Abd al Karim Omar Muhammad Abu Na'asah (number 17 in the table, cited in
the table as perpetrator of "a suicide operation in Afula"). Born in Jenin,
in the past served as a Policeman in the Palestinian Police in Jenin. An
activist of Fatah / Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, directed by the Fatah senior
leadership (Abd al Karim Aweis). He was recruited for the Afula suicide
attack by Haj Ali Safuri, commander of the PIJ military-security apparatus
in Jenin. (Note: according to captured documents, the expenses of this
suicide attack were paid for by the PIJ Secretary, Dr. Ramadan Shalah, who
resides in Damascus, from where he directs his organization's terrorist
attacks against Israel). The attack was carried out in the city market in
Afula on 27 November 2001. 2 Israeli civilians were killed in the attack and
50 were wounded, 9 severely. Responsibility for the attack was claimed
jointly by the PIJ and the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades.
3) Mustafa Faisal Mustafa Abu Sariah (number 77 in the table, perpetrated "a
suicide operation in Afula" according to the table). Served in the General
Intelligence Apparatus in Jenin. A PIJ activist. He carried out the suicide
attack in the Afula market on 27 November 2001 along with Abd al Karim Abu
Muhammad Abu Na'asah (above).
4) Ali Ibrahim Abd Al Rahman Al Julani (number 26 in the table). Resident of
Qalandiya. A Fatah activist; he carried out a drive-by shooting attack in
the heart of Tel Aviv, near the IDF GHQ, on 5 August 2001. In the attack, 10
Israeli soldiers were wounded. Responsibility was claimed jointly by the "Al
Aqsa Martyrs Brigades" and "Battalions of the Return" (identified with the
Fatah).
5) Mued Mahmud Ayadah Salah al Din (number 49 in the table), a Hamas
activist. He was a student at Bir Zeit University and later at Al-Najah
University (institutions where the fundamentalist Islamic movements have
considerable influence). He carried out a suicide attack in Baq'a al
Sharqiya on 8 November 2001. He blew himself up next to a border guard force
approaching to arrest him en route to a suicide attack inside Israel. As a
result, two Israeli border guard policemen were lightly wounded. Hamas
claimed responsibility for the attack.
6) Nidal Thayssir Shhadeh Jibali (number 87 in the table). He used to serve
in the Palestinian National Security Apparatus. He carried out a shooting
attack in Hadera on 28 October 2001 with another terrorist. As a result, 4
Israeli civilians were killed and 31 injured (3 severely). The PIJ claimed
responsibility for the attack.
7) Natir Muhammad Mahmud Hamed (number 91 in the table). A Fatah activist
from Jenin. He carried out a shooting attack at the Afula central bus
station on 4 October 2001 (disguised as an IDF soldier). As a result, 3
Israelis were killed and 14 wounded. Apparently he was a Fatah member,
although the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and Hamas each claimed responsibility
for the attack independently.
8) Nimer Muhammad Yussuf Abu Sayfin (number 92 in the table). He originated
from Yamun (a village in the Jenin area). He perpetrated a suicide attack in
Haifa (Checkpost Junction) on 9 December 2001. As a result 29 Israelis were
wounded. The PIJ claimed responsibility for the attack.

6. The following 28 notorious terrorists were also mentioned in the Saudi
table (marked pink in the Arabic original):
9) Mahmud Muhammad Ahmed Shuli Abu Hunud (number 68 in the table) commander
of the Hamas military wing in the West Bank. Involved in suicide attacks in
which dozens of Israelis were killed and hundreds wounded.
10) 'Atef Ahmed Salem Abayat (number 8 in the table). Senior terror activist
in the Bethlehem area, belonged to the Fatah / Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades. He
was involved in shooting attacks, explosive charges and mortar bomb firing
(against the Gilo neighborhood in Jerusalem) that caused the death of 2
Israelis and wounding of 6.
11) Abd al Rahman Muhammad Said Hmed (number 14 in the table). Senior Hamas
activist from Qalqilya. He was involved in suicide attacks in which 23
Israelis were killed and over 100 wounded, including the suicide attack next
to a discotheque in the Tel Aviv 'Dolphinarium', 1 June 2001 (21 Israelis
killed).
12) Amer Mansur Hassan al Hudairi (number 9 in the table). Senior Hamas
activist from Tulkarm. He was involved in terror attacks in which 8 Israelis
were killed and over 100 wounded.
13) Ma'amun Rashid Mahmud Hasha'ika (number 48 in the table). Senior Hamas
operational activist from the Nablus area. Assisted senior terrorists
including Mahmud Abu Hanud. Apparently involved in shooting and explosive
charge attacks in the Nablus area.
14) Muhammad Ahmed Mahmad Basharat (number 53 in the table), PIJ activist.
Among the heads of the PIJ operational infrastructure in the Jenin area.
15) Muhammad Yousef Muhammad Hmed Rayhan (number 66 in the table),
operational Hamas activist in the Nablus area. Involved in the terrorist
attack in Emmanuel (12 December 2001) in which 11 Israelis were killed.
16) Muhaned Raja'a Mahmud Abu al Hijaa (number 83 in the table). Operational
Hamas activist and explosive charge manufacturer from Jenin. Killed by an
explosive charge in a working accident.
17) Yasser Ahmed Ayoub Assidah (number 97 in the table). Operational Hamas
activist from the Nablus area. Killed on his way to a suicide attack in
Israel.
18) Wa'el Mutaleq Muhammad 'Assaf (number 94 in the table). One of the heads
of the PIJ operational infrastructure in northern Samaria. Directed
terrorist attacks inside Israel.
19) 'Isa Hassan al Khatib Abayat (number 35 in the table), Fatah activist,
involved in shooting attacks in the Bethlehem area.
20) Firas Shahadah Salah Hamdan al-Salahat (number 41 in the table), Fatah
activist. Killed during an attempt to fire mortar bombs at the Jerusalem
Gilo neighborhood.
21) Nidal Abd al Karim Ali Sandaq (number 88 in the table). Fatah activist,
involved in the production of explosive charges for a Fatah cell in
Bethlehem. Killed during the production of an explosive charge.
22) Nidal Muhammad Sabhi Rashdi al-Fakhuri (number 89 in the table).
Activist in both the Fatah and the PA Preventive Security Apparatus,
involved in shooting attacks.
23) Wa'al Dif Allah 'Ismail al-Abayat (al-Nabahin) (number 93 in the table).
Fatah activist, killed during an attempt to place an explosive charge
directed against IDF forces in the Paradise Hotel, Bethlehem.
24) Ubeir Tawfiq Abdallah Hamdan (number 22 in the table). Fatah activist,
planned to place an explosive charge in a restaurant in Netanya.
25) Akramah Muhammad Hadr Astiti (number 24 in the table). senior military
activist in the Fatah cell in Jenin, involved in numerous explosive charge
laying operations in the Jenin area.
26) Firas Sabri Fa'iz Ja'aber (number 42 in the table). Senior activist in
the Fatah Tulkarm terror infrastructure. Participated in the murder of two
Israeli restaurant owners in Tulkarm.
27) Majdi Musa Tayb Jaradat (number 51 in the table). Senior activist in the
Fatah terror infrastructure in Jenin, involved in directing numerous
shooting and explosive charge attacks in the Jenin area and Israel,
including the murder of an Israeli in Wadi 'Ara.
28) Muhammad Sa'id Hanun Ghanem (number 59 in the table), Fatah activist.
29) Muhammad Marwah Ta'eh Ghanem (number 65 in the table), Fatah activist,
served in the Palestinian Police.
30) Mamud Nawaf Hussein al Jilad (number 69 in the table), Fatah activist.
31) Mustafa 'Ahed Hassan 'Anbatz (number 74 in the table). Fatah activist,
member in the squad of Ra'ad Karmi, senior terrorist in the Tulkarm Fatah
cell.
32) Yasser Jumah Abd al Rahim Badwi (number 99 in the table). Senior Fatah
activist from Nablus. Arms dealer.
33) Ya'aqub Fathi Rabi'a ad-Dakidak (number 100 in the table), senior Hamas
operational activist from Hebron.
34) Yussef Muhammad Ahmed Abayat (number 102 in the table). PIJ activist,
attempted to penetrate IDF position in Bethlehem.
35) Sufian Ahmed Tawfiq 'Aradah (number 1 in the table). PIJ activist in
northern Samaria.
36) Mustafa Ali al-Ali al-Zubairi (number 76 in the table), the General
Secretary of the PFLP / Habash.

7. It is of note that the table includes the names of Israeli Arabs (marked
blue in the Arabic original): number 54 is an Israeli Arab citizen from Umm
al-Fahm (Muhammad Ahmed Mahmud Eiq); number 32 is an Israeli Arab citizen
from Nazareth (Omar Muhammad Ibrahim Akawi). They both died in the October
2000 violence. Their families, according to the Saudi document, therefore
received an allowance from the Saudi committee which was part of the
appropriations to the Intifada fatalities.