TERRORIST FINANCE: SUCCESSORS TO AL AQSA

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 002593 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR EB/ESC/TFC, S/CT, INR/EC, EUR/ERA, EUR/UBI TREASURY FOR ZARATE FBI FOR LORMEL JUSTICE FOR OIA/FRIEDMAN BRUSSELS ALSO FOR LEGATT E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/06/2013 TAGS: ETTC PTER NL EUN SUBJECT: TERRORIST FINANCE: SUCCESSORS TO AL AQSA FOUNDATION NETHERLANDS REF: THE HAGUE 1421 Classified By: DCM Daniel R. Russel. Reasons 1.5(b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Several Dutch organizations have been identified as assuming the tasks carried out by Al Aqsa Foundation (NL) in providing support for Hamas. Dutch authorities are investigating and trying to build a case for legal action or further asset freeze orders. End Summary. ¶2. (U) The Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reported on September 30 that several Dutch non-profits (further details below) have taken over the activities previously carried out by Al Aqsa Foundation (Netherlands) in supporting Hamas-related "social" activities. One of these organizations -- The Jerusalem Foundation (established 7/03) -- is headquartered at the same address as Al Aqsa Foundation Netherlands and indicates providing support for the families of suicide bombers as one of its activities. The Secretary of the Jerusalem Foundation is Martine van den Ooever, a Dutch convert to Islam who studied in Islamic schools in Syria and dresses in traditional Moslem style. The two other officers of the Jerusalem Foundation -- Ali Atilla Sonlu and Rashad Abdil-Rahman Al-Baz -- were also officers of the Al Aqsa Foundation (Netherlands). ¶3. (C) Dutch authorities have told us that they have been investigating the Jerusalem Foundation with the aim of building a case against it for providing support for Hamas and/or freezing its assets/financial transactions on the grounds that it is an alias for Al Aqsa Foundation. They believe they do not currently have enough evidence to ensure a victory in a domestic court case. The investigation continues. ¶4. (U) Also mentioned by De Telegraaf as having taken over many of Al Aqsa Foundation's activities is the Al Maktabah Foundation (details reftel) (located at the former address of the Al Aqsa Foundation bookshop),the Kifaia Foundation, and the Israa Foundation (details reftel). Israa Foundation Treasurer Maurice Raymondo van Ettinger is said to be the person who influenced van den Ooever to convert to Islam. ¶5. (SBU) Detailed Information on Jerusalem Foundation -------------- -------------- Jerusalem Foundation (Stichting Jerusalem),Gerrit van de Lindestraat 103E, 3022TH Rotterdam, tel. 31-(0)61-338-8653, established July 24, 2003. Note that the telephone number listed is a cellphone. Secretary: Martine van den Oever, DPOB: November 21, 1978, SIPDIS Delft, The Netherlands. Address: Verhoeffweg 19D, 2671HT, Naaldwijk, The Netherlands. Chairman: Ali Atilla Sonlu, DPOB: January 10, 1959, Polatli, Turkey. Address: Carboonstraat 121, 6412PB Herleen, The Netherlands tel. 31-(0)641838640 Treasurer: Rashad Abdil-Rahman Al-Baz, DPON: January 17, 1965, Madaba, Jordan. Address: Blois van Treslongstraat 79, 3132XB, Vlaardingen, The Netherlands. The telephone book lists his address as Blois van Treslongstraat 75, tel. 31-(0)10-434-1866 SOBEL