NY Post: “Palestinian-American billionaire quits Harvard post after lawsuit claims he helped build Hamas terror tunnels, rocket launch sites”
Bashar Masri, a Palestinian-American billionaire and developer, has resigned from the Dean’s Council at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
His resignation comes days after nearly 200 families of Oct. 7 attack victims filed a civil lawsuit in Washington, D.C., accusing him of “aiding and abetting” Hamas.
The lawsuit alleges Masri’s companies aided construction of tunnels and rocket launchers in Gaza, including at luxury hotels and an industrial estate near the Israeli border.
The Kennedy School acknowledged the lawsuit, stating it “raises serious allegations” that should be vetted through the legal process.
Masri chairs Massar International and PADICO and has been praised for building Rawabi, a modern city in the West Bank.
Plaintiffs claim U.S. and international funding intended for development projects was used to conceal Hamas terror infrastructure, including underground tunnels and rocket launch sites.
The complaint describes weapons facilities beneath or adjacent to Masri’s properties, including the Gaza Industrial Estate and Blue Beach Resort.
Photos in the complaint show Masri signing agreements with Hamas officials, including a 2022 solar project deal with Hamas’ Deputy Minister of Economy.
Al Mashtal (Ayan) Hotel and Blue Beach Resort allegedly had Hamas tunnel shafts directly under guest roomsand were visited by former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
The lawsuit asserts that Masri’s operations provided cover and legitimacy for Hamas, violating the U.S. Anti-Terrorism Act.
Masri’s spokesperson called the lawsuit “baseless,” denying any support for violence or militancy.
Plaintiffs include families of slain hostages and victims, such as Hersh Goldberg-Polin and Itay Chen, and Israeli figures like Ambassador Yechiel Leiter and Eyal Waldman.
Masri had previously advised U.S. officials on postwar Gaza plans and received funding from the U.S., UN, EU, and World Bank for development initiatives.
Despite a public image as a peacemaker, the lawsuit cites Masri’s 1980s involvement in the First Intifada and claims his companies worked with Hamas on subterranean military infrastructure.