Witnesses tell House panel Turkey is a hub for Hamas financing and urge sanctions
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Summary
A Foundation for Defense of Democracies witness told the Subcommittee on Europe that Turkey has for years provided sanctuary and financial support to Hamas and other extremist groups, and recommended targeted sanctions and extraditions; other witnesses urged using leverage while preserving channels for cooperation on shared interests.
Witnesses before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe strongly criticized Turkey’s relationship with Hamas and other extremist groups and urged U.S. policymakers to consider additional pressure on Ankara.
“Turkey has made headlines… because Turkey is the power broker behind the new government led by the Al Qaeda affiliate known as Hayat Tahrir al Sham or HTS,” said Dr. Jonathan Schanzer, executive director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, in opening testimony. Schanzer accused Ankara of long‑running political and financial support for Islamist groups in Syria and said Turkey remains “a hub for Hamas’s global finances.”
Schanzer said designated Turkish companies and networks have supplied funding channels for Hamas and cited past U.S. sanctions designations. “Trendgyo, a Turkish construction conglomerate, was designated by the U.S. in 2022 for generating revenue for Hamas,” he said in his oral remarks. He urged the committee to press for measures including Treasury sanctions, extradition of operatives, revocation of travel documents and restraint on major arms sales until Ankara severs ties with terrorist actors.
Other witnesses faulted Turkey’s behavior but urged a calibrated approach. Dr. Anna Borshchevskaya noted Turkey’s utility as a regional mediator in some instances, including earlier facilitation of the Black Sea grain initiative, and called for pragmatic engagement. Dr. Celeste Wallander said the U.S. should retain leverage while seeking operational coordination where interests align, particularly on counter‑ISIS and Black Sea security.
Members raised concrete policy options. Representative Phyllis McCormick cited Turkey’s 2024 suspension of trade with Israel and asked witnesses about the likely effects on any Turkish mediation role and on post‑conflict reconstruction assistance in Gaza; witnesses said Turkey’s current posture would complicate collaboration with Israel absent policy changes from Ankara.
Why it matters: Testimony framed Turkey as a NATO ally with significant leverage in regional diplomacy but also as a jurisdiction where U.S. officials see financing and operational space for extremist actors. Witnesses urged Congress to consider targeted economic and diplomatic measures while balancing other strategic imperatives.
Witnesses were asked to supply additional detail for the record, including documented links between named entities and sanctions evidence. The hearing did not include formal votes or policy decisions.