THE US Undersecretary of the Treasury, responsible for terrorism and financial intelligencesaid today that he had discussed with Turkish government officials the his concerns that Hamas is raising resources in Turkey and may be violating the laws of the Turkish state.

Turkey is “prominent” in Hamas’ fund-raising programs and the group may take advantage of that fact as it seeks more cash amid its war with Israel, Brian Nelson told reporters in Istanbul.

“We are deeply concerned about the possibility of Hamas continuing to raise funds and find financial support (in Turkey) for possible future terrorist attacks,” the US official said in remarks between meetings with Turkish government officials and businessmen.

Unlike most Western countries and some Gulf states, Turkey does not consider Hamas a terrorist organization and hosts some of its members. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has described its members as “freedom fighters” and called Israel a “terrorist state”, criticizing the bombing of Gaza. The US, Israel’s closest ally, has imposed sanctions on Turkish entities and individuals in an effort to cut funding to Hamas following the October 7 attacks on Israel.

Nelson said Turkey is linked to Hamas’ past efforts to raise funds from donors, investment portfolios, charities and non-profit organizations. Even if Turkey considers Hamas legitimate, he said the Palestinian organization may be violating local law, without giving a specific example. “There is sufficient scope for Turkey to address this problem with its own legal services, regardless of US sanctions,” he noted.

According to Nelson, Turkish officials reminded him that Hamas is not designated as a terrorist organization by Ankara, but Turkey will not tolerate violations of the law, but money laundering and direct funding of violence.

Referring to Russia, Nelson left open the possibility of sanctions against Turkish entities suspected of helping Moscow continue to trade in banned goods.