SHOWDOWN IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Diplomats and intelligence agencies told Reuters that Hamas receives funding from Iran and Egypt‘s Muslim Brotherhood, but that funding had dropped off over the past two months as Tehran showed displeasure at Hamas’s failure to hold public rallies in support of President Assad and the Muslim Brotherhood diverted funds to support Arab Spring revolts.

Sunni Hamas has been realigning interests with the Sunni Muslim Brotherhood in place of Shia Iran.

The Hamas has an extensive network of financial sources, operating within the framework of Dawa activity, with a total value of tens of millions of dollars a year.

1. Gulf States – A considerable proportion of the aforementioned funds originate from various sources in the Gulf States (The Gulf Cooperation Council States). Most of the funding is from Saudi Arabian sources, with a total value of $12 million a year.
2. Iran – Its contribution is estimated at $3 million a year.
3. Charitable associations in the Territories – Funds are raised for the Hamas through the mosques (a convenient domain for fundraising and recruitment of members) and through charity associations and foundations.
4. Charity associations overseas
5. Fundraising abroad and in the territories

Iran punishes Hamas for not backing Al-Assad

Related articles

• Report: Iran cuts Hamas funds over Syria – Jewish Telegraphic Agency (news.google.com)
• Foreign funds for Hamas hit by Syria unrest-diplomats – Reuters (news.google.com)