NY Woman Arrested for Funding Palestinian Islamic Jihad with Crypto Payments

A New York woman has been arrested for allegedly funding Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) with cryptocurrency payments. Catherine Beth Washburn, 37, is a leader of the Direct Action Movement for Palestinian Liberation (DAMPL), an extremist organization founded after the October 7 massacre.

The US Justice Department stated that Washburn celebrated acts of terror against Israel and praised the bravery of PIJ terrorists in messages recovered by the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force. She also expressed her hatred for Jews and wished for Israel to disappear.

The DOJ alleged that Washburn made approximately 80 cryptocurrency transfers totaling about $30,116 to an account used by a suspected PIJ member. The funds were allegedly used to support violent extremism.