FDD Urges U.S. Action Against Hamas Networks in South Africa
The memo, titled "Hiding in Plain Sight: A Playbook for Combating Hamas in South Africa," warns that the terrorist organization has found crucial support within South Africa's political establishment
The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), an influential Washington D.C.-based think tank, released a detailed policy memo on August 25 outlining a comprehensive strategy for the United States to combat Hamas' expanding operations in South Africa. The research, titled "Hiding in Plain Sight: A Playbook for Combating Hamas in South Africa," warns that the terrorist organization has found crucial support within South Africa's political establishment.
According to the FDD analysis by Max Meizlish, Melissa Sacks, and David May, Hamas has leveraged its relationship with South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) to secure diplomatic cover while raising funds and advancing its ideology across Africa. The authors argue this represents a dramatic departure from the South Africa that once inspired global hope during its peaceful transition from apartheid.
Targeted Sanctions Strategy
The memo's central recommendation calls for targeted economic sanctions against key Hamas enablers operating in South Africa. FDD specifically urges the Treasury Department to designate Hamas representative Emad Saber, whose sanctions would "create greater sanctions risk for Western-linked financial institutions in South Africa and elsewhere on the continent." Saber is Hamas’ international relations director for East, Central, and Southern Africa, who defended the terror group’s October 7th massacre and denied that it targeted Israeli civilians.
The organization also recommends sanctioning the Al-Quds Foundation South Africa (AQFSA) and its director Ebrahim Gabriels. Designating AQFSA as a branch of the already-U.S.-sanctioned Al-Quds International Foundation would "prevent the group from accessing traditional financial channels" and signal serious consequences for Hamas-affiliated organizations.
Beyond sanctions, FDD calls for Treasury investigations into several prominent South African figures and organizations. These include Mandla Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela and ANC member, the Media Review Network and its leadership, and the humanitarian organization Gift of the Givers under Imtiaz Sooliman's direction.
Multilateral Pressure Campaign
The strategy extends beyond bilateral U.S. action. FDD recommends pressuring the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to maintain South Africa on its "grey list" of countries with deficient counterterrorism financing regimes during its October plenary session. This would sustain international scrutiny of South Africa's financial practices.
Most significantly, the memo urges sustained diplomatic pressure—both bilateral and multilateral—to force South Africa to officially designate Hamas as a terrorist organization, closing the legal gap that currently allows the group to operate with impunity.
The comprehensive approach reflects growing concern in Washington about Hamas's expanding influence beyond the Middle East, particularly in regions where anti-Western sentiment and systemic corruption create fertile ground for terrorist financing and operations.