Hamas network survived Holy Land Foundation convictions, former FBI agent says

A retired FBI agent, Lara Burns, who led the Holy Land Foundation (HLF) investigation, testified before the US Senate on Wednesday, stating that Hamas's support network in the United States remained active despite the 2008 HLF convictions. Burns asserted that groups like the Council on Arab and Islamic Relations (CAIR) continue to operate as part of this network. She detailed a 1993 wiretapped meeting where Palestine Committee leaders discussed supporting Hamas and infiltrating American institutions to "normalizing Hamas and Muslim Brotherhood extremist ideology in American society." Burns highlighted that CAIR co-founder Nihad Awad was an active participant in this meeting and remains CAIR's executive director. She also named Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) as part of this network, alleging their recent activities, particularly since October 7, 2023, are consistent with the original conspiracy's goals. Burns urged federal agencies to investigate these organizations for potential violations of material support to terrorism laws, FARA, and tax fraud, and called for enhanced transparency in foreign funding for tax-exempt organizations and schools.