Bashar Masri, a billionaire developer, has resigned from his advisory position at Harvard's Kennedy School following serious allegations.
According to the New York Post, Bashar Masri faced a lawsuit accusing him of assisting Hamas in constructing terror facilities, prompting his resignation from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government.
The legal action against the Palestinian-American entrepreneur was initiated by almost 200 families, who are relatives of the victims of the October 7, 2023, attack in Israel. These families claim that Masri played a crucial role in enabling Hamas to build infrastructure used in terrorism.
The lawsuit specifically accuses Bashar Masri of helping construct tunnels and rocket launch sites that enabled terrorist activities in Gaza. It alleges that Masri used properties in Gaza, including an industrial park and two hotels, to support these militant operations.
The civil complaint claims that Masri and his companies provided services that shielded Hamas from Israeli and U.S. military actions. According to the complaint, this support allowed Hamas to maintain control over Gaza and continue launching terrorist attacks.
Attorneys from Willkie Farr and Gallagher LLP filed the complaint, stating that Mr. Masri’s business dealings in the region enabled Hamas to build an extensive underground network used for attacks against Israel. The filing lays out these allegations in detail, emphasizing their seriousness and complexity.
A spokesperson from Harvard Kennedy School said, "Mr. Masri has resigned from the Dean’s Council. The lawsuit raises serious allegations that should be vetted and addressed through the legal process." This statement underscores the school's commitment to maintaining integrity during ongoing legal proceedings.
Additionally, reports have linked properties connected to Masri—such as the Gaza Industrial Estate and the Blue Beach Resort—to support for Hamas' military activities, adding another layer of complexity to the accusations against him. Bashar Masri has not limited his efforts to real estate; he has played a significant role in various development projects across the region. He envisioned a new city in the West Bank designed to serve as a model for future Palestinian statehood.
In response to these serious allegations, a statement from Masri’s office declared: "Neither he nor those entities have ever engaged in unlawful activity or provided support for violence and militancy. Bashar Masri has been involved in development and humanitarian work for the past decades." They emphasized his long-standing commitment to development and aid.
Additionally, Masri's financial support for his projects includes significant funding from international organizations such as the UN, EU, the World Bank, and USAID. This underscores the complexity of the financial and operational aspects of his endeavors.
All of this assistance was beneficial to Hamas in sustaining its iron-fisted rule in Gaza and in committing acts of international terrorism.
This ongoing legal battle highlights the intricate connections between international development in conflict zones and potential unintended consequences. The lawsuit accuses Masri of violating the Anti-Terrorism Act by allegedly aiding Hamas in the lead-up to the catastrophic terror attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in unprecedented loss and trauma.
His advocacy for building a democratic, secular future in the West Bank contrasts sharply with the allegations brought against him. In a 2019 interview on CBS News’ “60 Minutes,” Masri mentioned, “If we can build a city—a—futuristic city, a secular city, a democratic city—then we can build a state.”
As this story unfolds, it will likely have significant implications on international views on developmental finance in geopolitical hot zones and the responsibilities of influential diaspora members in conflict settings. The lawsuit maintains that beneath Masri's public veneer of a progressive developer, he engaged with terrorist groups to the detriment of regional stability. These developments in the legal sphere continue to unfold, with extensive repercussions for all parties involved. The case illustrates a complex intersection of international law, development ethics, and counterterrorism efforts.
