New York Woman Charged With Funding Palestinian Islamic Jihad Via Crypto
The Justice Department charged Catherine Beth Washburn, 37, of Irondequoit, New York, on June 30, 2026, with attempting to provide material support to Palestinian Islamic Jihad.[1]
The federal complaint says she sent about 80 cryptocurrency transfers totaling more than $30,000 to an account used by someone claiming to be a PIJ fighter in Gaza.[1] Prosecutors allege she led the Direct Action Movement for Palestinian Liberation, a group that rejects peaceful protest in favor of sabotage.[1] Alleged messages attributed to Washburn praised the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks and said she hated Jewish people and wished Israel "would disappear." Fox News
The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force investigated the transfers and arrested Washburn on Tuesday, according to the complaint.[1] The complaint lays out communications and transaction records that prosecutors say form the basis for the material-support charge.[1]
If convicted, Washburn faces a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.[1]
The mainstream summary does not mention the broader context of cryptocurrency use in funding terrorist organizations, which has been a growing concern. Between 2020 and 2023, wallets linked to Palestinian Islamic Jihad received over $93 million in cryptocurrency transactions, highlighting a significant trend that goes beyond Washburn's individual case. This data underscores the scale of financial support for PIJ and the challenges law enforcement faces in tracking such transactions effectively.[2]
Furthermore, the summary does not address the implications of Washburn's alleged actions within the larger phenomenon of radicalization among pro-Palestinian activists in Western countries, particularly following the October 7 attacks. Reports indicate that anti-Israel activism has been correlated with increased antisemitic incidents, suggesting that her case may reflect a troubling trend rather than an isolated incident. This context is crucial for understanding the motivations behind such actions and the potential for broader societal impacts.[2]
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📊 Relevant Data
Wallets linked to PIJ received cryptocurrency transactions totaling over $93 million between 2020 and 2023, per Israeli defense ministry seizure orders analyzed by blockchain firms.
Israel Seizes Crypto Wallets Worth $94 Million Linked to Palestinian Islamic Jihad — Elliptic
📌 Key Facts
- On June 30, 2026, DOJ charged Catherine Beth Washburn, 37, of Irondequoit, New York, with attempting to provide material support to Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
- The federal complaint alleges she sent about 80 cryptocurrency transfers totaling more than $30,000 to an account used by an individual claiming to be a PIJ fighter in Gaza.
- Prosecutors say she led the Direct Action Movement for Palestinian Liberation, a group that rejects peaceful protest in favor of "direct action" including sabotage.
- Alleged messages show her praising the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attacks and stating she hates Jewish people and wishes Israel "would disappear."
- If convicted, she faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
📰 Source Timeline (1)
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