OFAC provides further clarity on Gaza assistance
US companies CAN provide goods and services to NGOs conducting humanitarian activities in Gaza or the West Bank – but should be cautious not to supply goods or services to NGOs that are blocked persons. But OFAC general licences DO NOT authorize funds transfers ‘made with knowledge or reason to know that the intended beneficiary of such transfers is a blocked person, with the exception of payments for taxes, fees, or import duties,’ and some other authorized activities.
So says a ‘compliance communique’ issued by the Office on ‘Guidance for the Provision of Humanitarian Assistance’, published 14 November.
Following on from previous guidance, the document notes that OFAC ‘remains committed to denying Hamas access to funds following its heinous terrorist attacks against the people of Israel, while also ensuring legitimate humanitarian aid can continue to flow to the Palestinian people in Gaza.’
As noted in recent WorldECR Premium News reporting, the US has tightened sanctions on Hamas and related entities and individuals in recent weeks, whilst facing internal dissent (e.g., from within the US State Department) and external pressure vis-a-vis its position on Israel’s response to the atrocities of 7 October.
On 14 October, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian E. Nelson convened a third roundtable with ‘representatives of non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and U.S. government implementers to discuss the facilitation of legitimate humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza,’ and stressed the US government’s intention that sanctions should not stand in the way of humanitarian assistance.
