Melissa Sacks

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Articles

U.S. Professors Flocking to Terrorist-Run Turkish Think Tank

1 month ago | fdd.org | Reagan Easter |Melissa Sacks |David May

The United States banished former University of South Florida professor Sami al-Arian for supporting terrorism. But some U.S. academics have flocked to him, like flies to manure. Since his deportation in 2015, al-Arian has turned his pseudo-academic center in Turkey into a mecca for both terrorists and American academics sympathetic to their viewpoint.
5 Ways South Africa Undermines U.S. Interests - and What Must Change

1 month ago | fdd.org | Max Meizlish |David May |Melissa Sacks

The United States must increase pressure on South Africa to reverse five of its harmful policies. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s arrival in Washington this week to meet with President Donald Trump offers the administration an opportunity to take stock of a bilateral relationship that is increasingly out of line with American interests and values.
Hamas and Turkey: Partners in Terror

Mar 28, 2025 | fdd.org | Jonathan Schanzer |Sinan Ciddi |Melissa Sacks

Turkey’s History of Hamas SupportThousands of people rallied at Istanbul’s iconic Galata Bridge on New Year’s Day 2025 in support of the Palestinian cause and to protest Israel. Bilal Erdogan, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s son, was among its speakers. Bilal spoke of the “martyrs” of Palestine, including Yahya Sinwar, the architect of the October 7, 2023, slaughter of 1,200 Israelis. This is, by now, barely newsworthy given Ankara’s long track record of pro-Hamas rhetoric.
The Fundraising Shortcut Ripe for Abuse

Sep 16, 2024 | fdd.org | David May |Melissa Sacks

Did tax-exempt money help activists release maggots and mealworms on the Israeli prime minister’s delegation to Washington, DC, in late July? The perpetrators reportedly hailed from the Palestinian Youth Movement, which receives tax-exempt donations through WESPAC, a Westchester, NY-based non-profit. Many of the most active and most hostile pro-Palestinian groups operating today are raising money for their activities through an opaque funding typology: fiscal sponsorship.
Hamas’ Enablers in the Turkish Government

Apr 12, 2024 | nationalinterest.org | Sinan Ciddi |Melissa Sacks

Turkey’s patronage of Hamas is well-established and widely known. Ankara has hosted the terrorist organization inside of its borders since 2011. Since Hamas carried out deadly terrorist attacks on October 7, the Turkish government has pursued a duplicitous policy of increasing its public advocacy for Hamas, vilifying Israel in the minds of Turkish citizens, all while profiting from continued trade with Israel.
Turkey: A Sanctuary for Terrorist Entities& Illicit Finance

Mar 4, 2024 | fdd.org | Libby Fern |Sinan Ciddi |Melissa Sacks |Jonathan Schanzer

A livestream of the conversation will begin here at 11:15am ET on Friday, March 8. For questions about FDD events, contact For media inquiries, please contact . In the wake of Hamas’s October 7 terror attacks on Israel, Turkey’s material support for the terrorist organization has come under increased scrutiny by the United States and beyond.
The U.S. Should Sanction Mohammed Mushanish

Feb 27, 2024 | fdd.org | Sinan Ciddi |Melissa Sacks

Turkey is notorious for harboring Hamas terrorists and affiliated entities, and it is unclear why the U.S. government does not take a tougher stance. Following the October 7 terror attacks in Israel, carried out by Hamas, Ankara has increasingly come into focus, for the many ways in which it provides material support to the Gaza-based terror organization.
Dutch Authorities Catch Hamas Financier Red-Handed

Aug 2, 2023 | fdd.org | David May |Melissa Sacks

Amin Abou Rashed, president of the European Palestinians Conference (EPC), was rubbing elbows with Swedish politicians at an EPC event in late May. A month later, Rashed and his daughter were reportedly behind bars in the Netherlands for funneling €5.5 million to Hamas. This is just the latest instance of Hamas and other terrorist groups operating under the guise of charities and non-governmental organizations. According to Dutch law, the names of suspects are not released until after a conviction.
Dutch Authorities Catch Hamas Financier Red-Handed

Aug 1, 2023 | nationalinterest.org | David May |Melissa Sacks

Amin Abou Rashed, president of the European Palestinians Conference (EPC), was rubbing elbows with Swedish politicians at an EPC event in late May. A month later, Rashed and his daughter were reportedly behind bars in the Netherlands for funneling €5.5 million to Hamas. This is just the latest instance of Hamas and other terrorist groups operating under the guise of charities and non-governmental organizations. According to Dutch law, the names of suspects are not released until after a conviction.