Arab Bank says it never supported Hamas
A lawyer for Arab Bank Plc urged US jurors to find that it never provided material support for Hamas, as closing arguments began on Thursday in a closely-watched terrorism financing trial.
The Jordan-based bank is accused of providing financial services to Hamas by almost 300 US citizens who were the victims or family members of victims of 24 attacks the Islamic militant group allegedly carried out in Israel and the Palestinian territories between 2001 and 2004.
Shand Stephens, a lawyer for the bank, said most people and organizations the plaintiffs claim were affiliated with Hamas who received banking services from Arab Bank were not designated as terrorists during the period in question.
"The bank does not figure out who the criminals are," Stephens said in Brooklyn federal court. "The government is supposed to designate people, and the banks react."
