Israel Matzav

Cambridge Savings Bank collecting money for terror funders?

The next time I'm in Boston, which is likely to be fairly soon, someone please remind me to stop in at Cambridge Savings Bank and give them a piece of my mind. In fact, you should go give them a piece of your mind too if you are in the Boston area. Cambridge Savings Bank is raising money for a 'Palestinian' Arab charity that has refused to sign a USAID-mandated pledge that its funds will not go to finance terror activities.

In 2004, USAID adopted a new guideline that all organizations wishing to receive a US grant must sign off on. Signatories must not "not to promote or engage in violence, terrorism, bigotry or the destruction of any state." Palestinian NGO's refused to sign on in a revealing look at their priorities.

Along comes Mazin Qumsiyeh (full-time anti-Israel activist who's recently moved back to the West Bank, and whom we've met here many times before.), and his Palestinian Center for Rapprochement Between People (PCR) -- another turnspeak-named Qumsiyeh effort aimed at dismantling the Jewish state. In a widely circulated email, he explains all:

...In this belated message we focus on the Palestinian Center for Rapprochement between People (PCR, a pioneer in bridging cultural differences, empowering Palestinians, and bringing people to support Palestine, actions that led to formation of the International Solidarity Movement). I also would like to tell you about the biggest projects we are involved in now and seek your support (material and otherwise). Below are the mission, the goals, a call to join us for Nights of the Shepherds (and/or support in other ways), a history of previous activities of PCR, and a list of current activities. The exciting new project Nights of the Shepherds is cosponsored by PCR and the Joint Advocacy Initiative of the YMCA/YWCA and will bring community and visitors together to protect the land and the people of the Shepherds field (the Bethlehem rural areas) that are under threat by colonial settlers. Last week and unsolicited, USAID offered to fund the project with $20,000 from but the aid was unanimously rejected on principle (USAID requires groups to adhere to a US policy made and produced in Tel Aviv). Instead, we rely on people of good will (like you) to support our functions. Please read the following and consider making a donation (or provide other kind of support)...

The 'US policy made and produced in Tel Aviv' is of course, the anti-terror pledge -- and yes, YMCA is involved (another subject).

The USAID policy seems quite toothless. I don't see why this 'charity' is allowed to open a bank account in the US without signing the pledge. Why should this be any different than the "know your customer" rules with which all banks opening new accounts must comply?

Anyway, read the whole thing and see how terror is financed in the 21st century. They don't call Cambridge "Gaza on the Charles" for nothing.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 1:02 AM