A New York woman has been arrested and charged with attempting to provide material support to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization.
Catherine Beth Washburn, 37, of Irondequoit, a suburb of Rochester, was the leader of the Direct Action Movement for Palestinian Liberation, known as DAMPL, according to the Justice Department. The organization was formed in the wake of the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel. DAMPL rejects peaceful protests and instead pursues what it calls direct action, including property destruction and acts of sabotage against entities it associates with Israel.
Financial records show Washburn sent roughly 80 cryptocurrency transfers totaling more than $30,000 to an account used by a person claiming to be an active PIJ fighter in Gaza.
Communications recovered by the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force included messages to that person in which Washburn allegedly said she hated Jewish people "very much" and wished Israel "would disappear." In one exchange, she allegedly wrote, "I wish every day were October 7th." She also allegedly wrote, "If I lived in Gaza, I would fight alongside the resistance," and later said she felt "excited every time I see news of the killing of an occupation soldier."
In a November 2025 message, she allegedly wrote about the activities with a joking tone: "Based on my passed [sic] fundraising and posting Im [sic] gonna get put away for a few life times," followed by a laughing emoji.
Fox News reported the charges first. U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo said Washburn went to "great lengths" to finance violence, driven by "her self-described hate of Israel and Jewish people."
FBI Counterterrorism Division Acting Assistant Director Coult Markovsky said the bureau will continue to pursue those who fund violent groups. "This individual, as alleged in the criminal complaint, provided money to a foreign terrorist organization engaged in acts of violence," Markovsky said. "The FBI is committed to cutting off funding to terrorist groups and will continue to work side-by-side with our Justice Department partners to make sure anyone who engages in terrorism or provides assistance to such organizations is held fully accountable in our justice system."
If convicted, Washburn faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.
