An Israeli court has sentenced a Palestinian citizen of Israel to five years in prison over money transfers that prosecutors said were linked to Hamas figures in Turkey.
The Central District Court also fined Adham Dolani 270,000 shekels ($90,000), according to Israeli media reports on the ruling.
Israeli prosecutors said Dolani took part in seven funds transfers totaling about 2.2 million shekels ($738,000). They alleged the money came from figures in Turkey whom Israeli authorities linked to Hamas and was intended to support activity in the West Bank.
The case is part of a larger Israeli prosecution of several Palestinian citizens of Israel accused of moving money through intermediaries inside Israel. Israeli authorities have alleged that the network transferred millions of shekels from Turkey to the West Bank and Gaza.
Dolani’s defense team asked for leniency, saying he acted under financial pressure and that his family depended on welfare and housing assistance.
Dolani told the court he regretted his actions, saying he did not understand their implications at first and was motivated by financial hardship.
The court accepted a plea deal, citing Dolani’s early cooperation and the absence of prior security convictions.
Turkey is among many countries that do not designate Hamas as a terrorist organization, a position also held by countries including Norway, Brazil, Russia, China, Iran, Qatar, Algeria and Egypt. Israel, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the European Union have designated Hamas as such
Israel has long accused Turkey of allowing Hamas figures to operate from its territory, while Ankara says its contacts with Hamas are part of its support for the Palestinian cause and its role in regional diplomacy.
The ruling comes as Israel’s military campaign in Gaza remains the focus of genocide accusations by rights groups and United Nations experts.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has for years cast himself as a defender of Palestinians, though critics say he has often used the Palestinian cause for domestic politics while maintaining trade and other ties with Israel.