Catherine Beth Washburn, 37, from the Irondequoit suburb of New York, was arrested on charges of attempting to provide material support to the terrorist organization Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).
According to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice, Washburn was the leader of the Direct Action Movement for the Liberation of Palestine (DAMPL), founded after Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which rejects peaceful protests and advocates property destruction and sabotage under the guise of 'direct action.'
Communication records seized by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force stated that Washburn wrote to a person claiming to be a PIJ fighter in Gaza that she 'hates Jews a lot,' wished for the 'destruction' of Israel, and said 'I wish every day was October 7.' In another message, she allegedly said 'I get excited every time I see news that an occupation soldier has been killed.'
Photographs of the suspect posing with grenades in front of a Hamas flag were included in the investigation file. In a message allegedly sent by Washburn in November 2025, she reportedly said of her illegal activities, 'Based on my past fundraising and posts, I'll be locked up for several lifetimes,' and sent a laughing emoji.
Financial records revealed that Washburn transferred over $30,000 in total through approximately 80 cryptocurrency transactions to an account used by a PIJ fighter.
Michael DiGiacomo, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York, stated that Washburn went to great lengths to finance violence 'with her self-described hatred of Israel and Jews.' FBI Acting Deputy Assistant Director for Counterterrorism Coult Markovsky said the suspect provided money to a foreign terrorist organization involved in acts of violence, as stated in the indictment, and that they are committed to cutting off funding to terror groups.
Washburn faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.
