CONGRESSWOMAN RASHIDA TALIB POSING WITH HEZBOLLAH, HAMAS SUPPORTER AND PFLP AFFILIATED ACTIVIST JOE CATRON ON CAPITOL HILL
March 2, 2021, 2:28 pm

CONGRESSWOMAN RASHIDA TALIB POSING WITH HEZBOLLAH, HAMAS SUPPORTER AND PFLP AFFILIATED ACTIVIST JOE CATRON ON CAPITOL HILL

On April 10, 2019 American Muslims for Palestine (AMP)<1> – New Jersey Chapter uploaded a post on Facebook where Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib is photographed with yet another extremist, terror-affiliated, Hezbollah and Hamas supporter, anti-Israel activistJoe Catron and other AMP members.<2>In the last decade, Catron praised Iranian-backed Hezbollah and its leader Hassan Nasrallah – urging him to strike Israel with missiles, celebrated terror organization Hamas violent resistance against Israel, and described terror attacks by Palestinians as “heroic” actions.

<1> The American Muslims for Palestine was founded in 2006, headed by Hatem Bazian, is publicly a lobby organization for Palestine affairs in the United States. However, some of its top leaders were caught in statements against Israel’s existence, Jews, and in support of terror

<2> Facebook, American Muslims for Palestine – NJ Chapter, published 04/19, accessed 04/19

published04/10/2019

<1> Facebook, American Muslims for Palestine – NJ Chapter, published 04/19, accessed 04/19

<1> Facebook, American Muslims for Palestine, published 04/19, accessed 04/19

The meeting with Congresswoman Tlaib took place on the sidelines of American Muslims for Palestine Advocacy Day and Training event<1> that was held on Capitol Hill between April 5-8, 2019.<2>

Joe Catron is a long-time extremist anti-Israel activist. He belongs to the circle of those in the U.S. who are openly and publicly support terror actions against Israel and terror organizations – much like Abbas Hamideh, who also met Rashida Tlaib following her election to office.<3>

Catron is affiliated with many Palestine solidarity groups and BDS organizations. For the past years Catron has been working as the U.S. coordinator of Samidoun,<4>an affiliated arm of the PFLP terror organization. In 2012, Catron was photographed with former Palestinian terrorist Leila Khaled (PFLP),<5> and shared on his personal social media statements by the PFLP.<6>Last week, Israel has designated Samidoun as part of the Terror organization PFLP (their arm abroad)<7>.

In June 2014, Catron participated in a press meeting in Gaza together withTawfeek Abu Naim,<8> Hamas' Chief of Security – in support for Palestinian prisoners.<9>In 2016, Catron celebrated the existence of a terror group Hamas in Gaza, and its murderous attacks on Israel, legitimizing it.

<1> Facebook, American Muslims for Palestine, published 04/19, accessed 04/19

<2> American Muslims for Palestine, Palestine Advocacy Day & Training 2019, accessed 04/19

<3>Clarion Project, Rep. Rashida Tlaib Fetes Hezbollah Supporter, published 01/19, accessed 04/19

<4>Samidoun, Video: Joe Catron on hunger strike of 25 Palestinian political prisoners held in Etzion jail, published 12/15, accessed 04/19

<5> Facebook, Joe Catron, published 12/12, accessed 04/19

<6> Twitter, Joe Catron, published 05/17, accessed 4/19; Twitter, Joe Catron, published 06/17, accessed 04/19; Twitter, Joe Catron, published 11/17, accessed 04/19

<7>https://nbctf.mod.gov.il/en/Pages/SamidounEN.aspx

<8>Tawfeek Abu Naim – Hamas' Chief of Security, who was released from Israeli jail in the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange. He was injured in an assassination attempt, probably by Israeli forces.

<9> Gaza Scoop, Internationals hold press conference in Gaza, express solidarity with Palestinian prisoners, published 06/14, accessed 04/19

<1> Facebook, American Muslims for Palestine, published 04/19, accessed 04/19

<1> American Muslims for Palestine, Palestine Advocacy Day & Training 2019, accessed 04/19

<1>Clarion Project, Rep. Rashida Tlaib Fetes Hezbollah Supporter, published 01/19, accessed 04/19

<1>Samidoun, Video: Joe Catron on hunger strike of 25 Palestinian political prisoners held in Etzion jail, published 12/15, accessed 04/19

<1> Facebook, Joe Catron, published 12/12, accessed 04/19

<1> Twitter, Joe Catron, published 05/17, accessed 4/19; Twitter, Joe Catron, published 06/17, accessed 04/19; Twitter, Joe Catron, published 11/17, accessed 04/19

<1>https://nbctf.mod.gov.il/en/Pages/SamidounEN.aspx

<1>Tawfeek Abu Naim – Hamas' Chief of Security, who was released from Israeli jail in the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange. He was injured in an assassination attempt, probably by Israeli forces.

<1> Gaza Scoop, Internationals hold press conference in Gaza, express solidarity with Palestinian prisoners, published 06/14, accessed 04/19

<1> Facebook, Joe Catron, published 04/19, accessed 04/19; The Palestinian Information Center, Mohammed Def’s Messages to Israel

Catron’s cover photo on Facebook from April 2019 contains the official PFLP logo, rockets that are being used against innocent Israeli citizens, a target on Israel’s map, and threat slogans against Israel associated with Mohammed Def, the supreme military commander of Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s military wing.<1>

<1> Facebook, Joe Catron, published 04/19, accessed 04/19; The Palestinian Information Center, Mohammed Def’s Messages to Israel, published 12/18, accessed 04/19

“If you do we will do , hell is waiting for you”, attributed to toMohammad Def, supreme military commander of Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s military wing, posted on Catron’s cover photo, Facebook, published 04/07/2019, accessed 04/16/2019

Palestinians

Palestinians (above) casting Molotov cocktails on Israelis is considered “heroic” operation, Twitter, published 06/17/2017, accessed 04/16/2019

<1> Facebook, Joe Catron, published 04/19, accessed 04/19; The Palestinian Information Center, Mohammed Def’s Messages to Israel, published 12/18, accessed 04/19

Joe Catron found his way to the corridors of Capitol Hill to engage elected representatives several times.Last time was during AMP’s 2015 Advocacy Day.<1>The photo of Tlaib, Catron, and AMP members represents the “blind eye” in front of radical and violent agenda against Israel that not only finds its way to Capitol Hill but is listened and embraced by elected officials.

This is not the first time Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib meets with Hezbollah supporters. Following her swearing-in ceremony in January 2019Tlaib hosted a private dinner. One of her guests was Abbas Hamideh<2> – a known supporter of Hezbollah terror organization and its leader Hassan Nasrallah.<3>

<1> Facebook, American Muslims for Palestine, published 04/15, accessed 04/19

<2> Twitter, Abbas Hamideh, published 01/19, accessed 04/19

<3> Twitter, Abbas Hamideh, published 01/15, accessed 04/19; Twitter, Abbas Hamideh, published 05/17, accessed 04/19

(Love to Nasrallah, Instagram, published 08/31/2015, accessed 04/16/2019)

Tory minister who backed FOBTs takes over review of gambling laws Earthquake of magnitude 6.3 strikes Greece

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.