On Monday, American victims of the deadly Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, filed a lawsuit against billionaire Bashar Masri. The lawsuit claims that Masri, who lives in Washington D.C., played a role in supporting Hamas during the attack that killed over 1,200 people in Israel. Masri is accused of using his image as a peace advocate to gain funding while secretly aiding the terrorist group.
The lawsuit, filed by attorney Marina Medvin, highlights Masri’s alleged connections to Hamas and his involvement in the First Intifada. It states that his companies, including Palestine Development & Investment Company (PADICO) and Palestine Real Estate Investment Company (PRICO), were not only legitimate businesses but also helped build Hamas’s infrastructure, including attack tunnels and rocket launch sites.
According to the lawsuit, just before the October 7 attack, Masri appointed someone closely linked to Hamas as the chairman of one of his companies, PIEDCO. The lawsuit claims that properties developed by Masri’s companies were used to conceal Hamas operations, including training facilities for fighters and command centers.
The lawsuit also mentions the Al Mashtal Hotel, which allegedly hosted a network of tunnels used by Hamas during previous conflicts. It states that Masri’s companies worked with Hamas to renovate the hotel, enhancing its facilities to support terrorist activities.
At the same time, Adam Boehler, who was the Trump administration’s envoy for hostages and had been negotiating with Hamas, made controversial comments about the group. He suggested that members of Hamas could be "nice guys" and expressed a belief that they might eventually lay down their weapons.
Boehler later withdrew his nomination for a special position related to hostage affairs but remains involved in negotiations. The lawsuit against Masri raises serious questions about the connections between business, politics, and terrorism in the ongoing conflict. As this legal battle unfolds, it could shed more light on the complex relationships that exist in the region.