Hamas refuses claims it is financially corrupt

Reports that there financial corruption in Hamas are “lies for the purpose of abusing the movement in an attempt to tarnish its known stance,” the movement said in a statement yesterday.

The statement came in response to a TV report by Al-Arabiya Al-Hadath on Friday which accused the movement of financial corruption and involvement with Hezbollah and Al-Houthi

Hamas said the report’s goal was to “negatively impact Hamas-Arab relations.”

The movement continued that the report does not present facts, but rather pure lies and fabrications, adding that “we regret that Al-Arabiya Al-Hadath makes the mistake of broadcasting reports that are based on lies and fabrications rather than facts, which is contrary to professionalism and credibility.”

Hamas called on the satellite channel to “correct this mistake and not repeat it again.”

The movement reaffirmed its policy “not to interfere in the internal affairs of other states at all.”

Al-Arabiya Al-Hadath’s report accused Hamas of financial corruption and involvement with the Houthis in Yemen. It quoted some unnamed leaders of Hamas as saying that the movement’s leadership ordered the reduction in the expenses and salaries of the movement’s workers in Yemen to half, and is looking to do the same in Lebanon in order to reduce expenses.

The channel claimed in its report that it is better for the movement to control corruption rather than to reduce expenses.

The TV report alleged that the movement wants to curb its role in Yemen which included “cooperating with al-Houthi in exchange for Iranian support, which is the opposite of what Hamas leadership wants these days.”