Upstate New York Woman Arrested for Allegedly Attempting to Provide Material Support to Palestinian Islamic Jihad

Photo: Catherine Beth Washburn, US Justice Department | Jihad Watch

The U.S. Department of Justice has announced the arrest of 37-year-old Catherine Beth Washburn of Irondequoit, New York, on charges of attempting to provide material support to the designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ), also known as the Al-Quds Brigades. According to the criminal complaint, Washburn allegedly attempted to send cryptocurrency to support the group. If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Federal investigators allege that Washburn is a leader of the Direct Action Movement for Palestinian Liberation (DAMPL), an extremist organization established after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. Prosecutors claim the group rejects peaceful demonstrations and instead advocates "direct action," including sabotage and property destruction, in support of the Palestinian cause and against entities it associates with Israel.

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg stated that Washburn allegedly expressed repeated support for violence against Israeli civilians and sought to provide material assistance to PIJ by transferring cryptocurrency to an individual who claimed to be involved in the group's attacks. He emphasized that individuals who support foreign terrorist organizations will face prosecution under U.S. law.

U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo for the Western District of New York alleged that Washburn, motivated by what prosecutors describe as hatred toward Israel and Jewish people, made extensive efforts to provide financial support to terrorist organizations that employ violence to achieve their objectives. He noted that her alleged communications with an individual involved in attacks abroad were ultimately intercepted, preventing any support from reaching the organization.

Acting Assistant Director Coult Markovsky of the FBI's Counterterrorism Division said the case highlights the agency's ongoing efforts to disrupt terrorist financing. He stated that the FBI remains committed to identifying and prosecuting individuals who provide financial or other forms of support to foreign terrorist organizations.

According to the complaint, the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force executed search warrants in February and March 2026, recovering electronic communications between Washburn and an individual who identified himself as a PIJ fighter in Gaza and claimed to have participated in attacks against Israel. Investigators allege that in one exchange, Washburn wrote that if she lived in Gaza, she would "fight alongside the resistance." She also allegedly praised the individual's actions, stated that she wished "every day were October 7th," expressed strong anti-Jewish sentiments, and said she wished Israel "would disappear." Additional messages reportedly included discussions about PIJ attacks, weapons, ammunition, and expressions of approval over the reported killing of Israeli soldiers.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)