TOO MANY PRINCES

Surprising Saudi message to Israel: Give us proof that we are funding Hamas (Ellis Shuman, August 19, 2003, Israeli Insider)

In a surprising message received by Israeli diplomats in Washington, Saudi Arabia asked for evidence of its financial support of the Hamas terrorist organization. Saudi officials have stated repeatedly that they do not fund Hamas, but Israeli documents provide evidence to refute this claim. Israeli officials said the direct Saudi request was made in order to improve the kingdom's standing in the United States.

According to a report today in Maariv, the Saudi request was relayed to the Israeli Embassy in Washington in the past few days. The Saudis asked for evidence tying government officials and/or Saudi businessmen to financial support for Hamas in order that they could act against the funding, the report said.

Israeli officials said the message they received was only an "initial signal" and tied it to the growing wave of investigations and reports in the United States suggesting a Saudi connection to global terrorism.

What's most surprising is the implicit admission of the Sauds that they need the help of Israeli intelligence to rein in their own family. Posted by Orrin Judd at August 21, 2003 12:53 PM