Security Cabinet declares 35 groups 'terror organizations'

By JPOST.COM STAFF
The Security Cabinet on Wednesday declared 35 Al Qaida- and Taliban-affiliated groups terrorist organizations. The decision obligates banks and financial institutions to report any activity suspected of being related to these organizations to the Israel Money Laundering and Terror Financing Prohibition Authority. The 35 organizations are active mainly in Pakistan, Afghanistan and North African countries and direct their activities against the West and not necessarily against Israel, said the Prime Minister's Office, adding that the decision also expanded measures against active anti-Israel organizations such as Hizbullah and Hamas. The PMO said the move was significant in the international struggle against the financing of terrorism and was designed to put Israel in line with Western countries, especially the United States, that are using economic means in dealing with terrorism and which also assist Israel in locating funds designated for terrorist organizations in the Middle East.