What is the lifestyle of a billionaire terrorist? Hamas billionares are an example of how wealth and power can be used to Evil ends. Hamas is a Palestinian terrorist organization that is often accused of using violence and terror tactics to advance its cause. Despite widespread public condemnation, its members have amassed enormous fortunes and some of them are now amongst the richest people in the Middle East.
The individuals behind the millions of Hamas dollars come from a variety of backgrounds. Many are businessmen who enjoy monopolistic control over an industry. For example, Yusuf al-Qaradawi is believed to have received sizeable sums from a blackmarket trading network that he established in Gaza. Others like the late Bashir Nafaa and his brother Mohamed al-Masri have been identified as major financiers and benefactors to the group.
Most of the Hamas wealth is derived from smuggling and extortion activities taking place in the Gaza Strip. While these operations are often carried out under the guise of helping the local population, in reality these funds often finance terrorist activities. Some have also identified Hamas as a beneficiary of so-called “charity donations” from wealthy Gulf states and Iran.
Traditionally, Hamas members have kept their fortunes secret. However, the recent surge in wealth has led to increased public scrutiny. Hamas financiers have been utilizing their wealth in order to not only help their organization but to provide a lavish lifestyle for themselves and their families.
Many of the Hamas billionaires live in luxurious villas and have frequent vacations in foreign cities. Yusuf al-Qaradawi is known to drive around Gaza in his own private Ferrari and in 2016 one of his sons was arrested in London upon suspicion of corruption.
At the same time, many of the Hamas billionaires are also generous philanthropists and donate large sums of money to the organization’s support network. Some financiers have even helped finance reconstruction activities in the aftermath of several wars in recent years. This no doubt helps increase Hamas’s popularity yet only contributes to their funds, allowing them to continue to carry out their terrorist activities.
The lifestyles of Hamas’s billionaires are a reminder of the power of money and the influence it can have. For better or for worse, these individuals have been able to use their wealth to further an organization’s pursuit of violence and terror.