Hamas spokesman caught smuggling cash

[Scurrilous]

Sami Abu Zuhri caught in Rafah with belt containing hundreds of thousands of Euros. Money confiscated by Palestinian security officials Abu Zahari refusing to leave without cash, while Hamas gunmen gathering around crossing, demanding money is returned

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3252756,00.html

<snip>

"Hamas' spokesman in Gaza, Sami Abu Zuhri, has been caught Friday morning in the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza with a large quantity of money he attempted to smuggle into Gaza.

According to one report, Abu Zuhri, who is one of the senior leaders of Hamas in Gaza, had Euro 640,000 on his person. Another report claimed he held a larger sum of Euro 900,000 Euro.

The money was discovered by European monitors on the border and confiscated by Palestinian security officials. The cash was hidden in a special belt worn by Abu Zuhri, and while trying to cross the border, the belt fell, and the money was uncovered by the monitors.

Abu Zahri left the Rafat junction without money he attempted to smuggle.

Other Hamas senior officials are continuing to negotiation with Palestinian security officials in an attempt to convince them to hand over the money taken.

Earlier, Abu Zuhri refused to leave the crossing without the money."

[Nederland]

1. A special belt?

Can you really hide 640,000 or 900,000 euros in a money belt? What's the largest denomination euro bill out there? Anyone know?

[Englander]

3. It's €500.

http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/euro/faqs/faqs_main_en.htm

On a side issue, it's good to see that the € is the favoured currency, I wish it was the currency
here in the Uk, really. It's already in use in Belgium, Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Ireland,
Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal and Finland.

[bemildred]

2. So, you aren't allowed to bring money into Gaza?

The elected government can't bring money into Gaza?
Why can't he "smuggle" money into Gaza?

[Phx_Dem]

4. interesting point

I know that in the US you have to fill out a form to transport that amount of money. I don't know about Gaza or Israel.

[bemildred]

5. True, we private citizens must report, but the government does not.

The government shovels cash around with gay abandon when it feels like it.
The government is who we report TO.

[barb162]

6. limit of $2000

Travellers crossing through Rafah must normally declare all sums over $2,000 and explain the origin of the cash. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4996990.stm

[bemildred]

8. Thank you.

That clarifies the situation.

[barb162]

7. President orders Hamas cash probe

The Palestinian Authority president has ordered an investigation after border guards caught a senior Hamas official bringing 600,000 euros into Gaza.
snip
PA President Mahmoud Abbas asked the attorney general to investigate the border incident, which comes at a time of heightened tension between Hamas and supporters of Mr Abbas
snip
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4996990.stm