Washington, DC - The Department of State has designated ‘Abdallah al-Ashqar as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, which targets terrorists and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism. The consequences of this designation include a prohibition against U.S. persons engaging in transactions with ‘Abdallah al-Ashqar, and the freezing of all property and interests of ‘Abdallah al-Ashqar that are in the United States, or come within the United States or the possession or control of U.S. persons.

‘Abdallah al-Ashqar is a Palestinian national reported to be a leader of the Mujahidin Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem (MSC), a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity under E.O. 13224, and serves on their military committee. Al-Ashqar also serves as a foreign relations official for the group. In addition to his leadership activity, al-Ashqar has sought missiles and other materials with which to attack Israel.

An umbrella group composed of several terrorist sub-groups based in Gaza, MSC has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks on Israel since the group’s founding in 2012. For example, in August 2013, MSC claimed responsibility for a rocket attack targeting the southern Israeli city of Eilat. Previous attacks have also included improvised explosive devices, claiming civilian lives.