President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu Join Forces Against Iran and Hamas
Former Vice President and National Security Adviser Steve Yates discussed the rising tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela along with the alliance between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump. Their focus is primarily on disarming Hamas and addressing the influence of Iran.
In recent developments, the Trump administration has intensified its pressure on UK leader Sir Keir Starmer by sanctioning Zaher Bilawi, a UK-based activist whom U.S. intelligence accuses of supporting Hamas.
The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced on January 21 its actions against Hamas’s covert connections to nonprofit organizations, naming six organizations based in Gaza and the People’s Congress of Palestinians Abroad (PCPA).
U.S. officials have indicated that the PCPA operates as a cover for Hamas’s activities outside of the region. OFAC has specifically cited Zaher Bilawi, 64, claiming he holds a significant position within Hamas through his leadership in the PCPA.
The Treasury Department described Bilawi as a founding member of the organization, asserting it was used to secretly expand Hamas’s international influence and funding. One such initiative was a fleet trying to breach the blockade on Gaza, which has had backing from various high-profile activists.
John K. Hawley, U.S. deputy secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, stated, “Hamas shows a blatant disregard for the well-being of the Palestinian people.” He emphasized that the administration will not ignore the financial operations that support terrorist actions.
The recent sanctions have put pressure on the UK government, which has been considering counter-terrorism measures against Bilawi for some time. Chris Phillip, the shadow home secretary, remarked that it’s encouraging the U.S. is taking action, stressing that the UK shouldn’t serve as a haven for those linked to terrorist organizations.
Concerns have also been voiced by others, such as Alex Hearn from the Anti-Semitic Labor Party, highlighting that despite U.S. sanctions, Bilawi continues his activities from London. Lord Austen of Dudley has called for a thorough investigation of the information surrounding his case.
Bilawi, a resident of Barnet for over 30 years, is known for leading the British Palestine Forum and organizing pro-Palestinian demonstrations. He has been labeled a security risk by Congress, and Israel officially recognized him as a Hamas member in 2013—a claim he has persistently denied.
In 2023, Bilawi argued that he is simply a “law-abiding British citizen” and insisted his work is aimed at defending the rights of Palestinians living under occupation. Attempts to reach out to Bilawi and Sir Keir Starmer’s office for comments have been made.
