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In this photo published by the U.S. Justice Department, Catherine Beth Washburn is pictured with two hand grenades in front of Hamas flag. Credit: U.S. Department of Justice
In this photo published by the U.S. Justice Department, Catherine Beth Washburn is pictured with two hand grenades in front of Hamas flag. Credit: U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. authorities announced charges against a 37-year-old woman in upstate New York, charging her with attempting to provide material support and resources to Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
According to the Justice Department, Catherine Beth Washburn is a leader of the Direct Action Movement for Palestinian Liberation (DAMPL), formed after October 7, 2023 aimed at engaging in “direct action – including acts of sabotage and property destruction – in support of the Palestinian cause and against entities that it associates with Israel.”
An analysis of financial records determined that Washburn was sending cryptocurrency to a Gaza-based individual affiliated with PIJ, making approximately 80 transfers of cryptocurrency totaling approximately 30,116 USDC (equivalent of $30,116) to an account he used. In a November 2025 message, Washburn stated, “[b]ased on my passed [sic] fundraising and posting Im [sic] gonna get put away for a few life times,” and included what appears to be a laughing emoji.
The charges come months after FBI officials recovered electronic messages between Washburn and an identified PIJ fighter in Gaza. “[i]f I lived in Gaza, I would fight alongside the resistance,” read one of her messages, adding “I wish every day were October 7th.”
“As alleged, Washburn repeatedly voiced support for violence against Israeli civilians and attempted to provide material support to the Palestine Islamic Jihad by sending cryptocurrency to an individual who claimed to participate in its attacks,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “Those who aid foreign terrorist groups will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo said that Washburn was stopped from providing financial support to terrorist groups, including Palestine Islamic Jihad, an effort he alleged was driven by her hatred of Israel and Jewish people. He added that her attempts included encrypted communications with a militant involved in violent attacks thousands of miles away.