As US seeks Gaza donor’s extradition, wife warns of ‘terrifying precedent’

What the report says

James “Fergie” Chambers, a wealthy US donor to Palestinian causes, is facing possible extradition from Spain to the United States over allegations that he helped finance Hamas, according to Al Jazeera. Chambers was arrested in Ibiza in July and has been held in a Madrid jail for about six weeks while Spanish authorities review the request. The US indictment is still sealed, so the specific charges have not been made public. Chambers denies wrongdoing.

Al Jazeera reports that US authorities have tied Chambers to a transfer of $7.5m to Tunisia, saying the funds were ultimately used to support Hamas. His wife, actress Stella Schnabel, and his lawyers reject that account, saying the money was sent for humanitarian and philanthropic projects, including support for a Tunisian football club and aid work linked to Gaza. Schnabel said the arrest and extradition bid amount to political persecution and warned it could set a troubling example for activists and donors supporting Palestinians.

The case may be significant because it appears to be the first US extradition attempt involving an American citizen accused of supporting Hamas, based on the reporting. Spanish courts will now weigh the US request and may consider whether the case amounts to political persecution, which could affect extradition. Chambers is represented by Spanish human-rights lawyer Baltasar Garzon, who is seeking his client’s provisional release.