Bashar Masri, a prominent Palestinian billionaire and Harvard Kennedy School advisor, has stepped down from his position following a lawsuit accusing him of aiding Hamas by funnelling funds toward its tunnel and rocket infrastructure. The lawsuit, filed in Washington, D.C., represents 200 relatives of victims of the 7 October Hamas attacks, reports The Jerusalem Post.
Masri, who served on the Dean’s Council at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, allegedly used his corporations and USAID-backed infrastructure projects—including the Gaza Industrial Estate (GIE)—to assist Hamas operations. The GIE, reportedly rebuilt with USAID funds after Operation Guardian of the Walls in 2021, has allegedly played a role in the group’s logistical capabilities. The Kennedy School acknowledged the lawsuit, noting that it raises “serious allegations that should be vetted and addressed through the legal process.”
Masri denies the claims, calling them “baseless,” and stated that he has never supported violence or engaged in illegal activity. However, his past collaborations with Hamas-linked officials, including a 2022 meeting with Hamas economy minister Abd al-Fattah al-Zari’i (killed in an Israeli airstrike), have drawn renewed scrutiny. Zari’i was accused of diverting humanitarian aid and facilitating Hamas logistics.
Masri, who also leads the Palestine Development and Investment Company (PADICO) and Massar International, was sued in the U.S., where he owns a home. PADICO board member Dr. Dalal Iriqat attracted controversy by describing the 7 October massacre as “just a normal human struggle.” Plaintiffs claim that two luxury hotels owned by PADICO were involved in supporting Hamas tunnel and rocket operations.
Masri has been an influential figure in Palestinian development projects and was previously involved in the Trump administration’s plans for post-war Gaza reconstruction. He is also the mastermind behind Rawabi, the first planned Palestinian city in the West Bank.
Born in Nablus, Masri has previously acknowledged participating in anti-Israel protests in his youth. His resignation and the lawsuit mark a significant development amid growing international scrutiny over ties between private sector actors and proscribed terror groups such as Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organisation by the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, and others.
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