Washington Designates 'Hurras al-Din' Leader as Global Terrorist

From a previous operation targeting a leader from Hurras al-Din (File Photo)
From a previous operation targeting a leader from Hurras al-Din (File Photo)
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Washington Designates 'Hurras al-Din' Leader as Global Terrorist

From a previous operation targeting a leader from Hurras al-Din (File Photo)
From a previous operation targeting a leader from Hurras al-Din (File Photo)

The US State Department designated Hurras al-Din leader Sami al-Uraydi as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reported the designation in a tweet on his official twitter account, noting that "terrorist designations expose the malign activity of and isolate al-Qaeda affiliates who exploit under-governed spaces and conflict zones."

The Department’s Rewards for Justice also announced a reward of up to $5 million for information on the identification or location of al-Uraydi.

" Groups like Hurras al-Din are responsible for killings, kidnappings, and violence targeting of members of religious minority groups," the US State Department said in its official statement.



Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich to Meet US Treasury Secretary Next Week

Israeli Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich arrives to attend a weekly cabinet meeting at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem March 5, 2023. (Reuters)
Israeli Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich arrives to attend a weekly cabinet meeting at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem March 5, 2023. (Reuters)
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Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich to Meet US Treasury Secretary Next Week

Israeli Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich arrives to attend a weekly cabinet meeting at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem March 5, 2023. (Reuters)
Israeli Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich arrives to attend a weekly cabinet meeting at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem March 5, 2023. (Reuters)

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a right-winger kept at arms length by Washington under former President Joe Biden, will meet US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington next Wednesday, Smotrich's spokesman said on Thursday.

Smotrich went to Washington in March 2023 to meet with leaders of Israel's US-based government bonds program but did not meet any officials from Biden's administration.

The pro-settler Smotrich had clashed with Biden officials, including then-Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, over aid and banking arrangements for the Palestinian territories.

Smotrich has praised President Donald Trump, including over a decision to lift sanctions imposed under Biden against Israeli settler groups and individuals accused of being involved in violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.