Catherine Beth Washburn, a 37-year-old mother from upstate New York, has been charged with providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization after federal prosecutors accused her of transferring $30,000 in cryptocurrency to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). Authorities say Washburn also led a radical anti-Israel group that promotes sabotage and rejects peaceful protest.
Washburn, who resides near Rochester, allegedly exchanged messages with a PIJ militant in Gaza, expressing violent sentiments and support for attacks against Israel. Prosecutors highlight her remarks including wishing every day was the date of a major militant attack and declaring hatred toward Jews. She also reportedly indicated that, if she lived in Gaza, she would personally join the resistance.
According to court documents, Washburn ran the Direct Action Movement for Palestinian Liberation, an extremist faction that emerged following the 2023 Hamas assault on Israel. This group advocates sabotage and property destruction rather than peaceful demonstrations. Social media posts linked to Washburn depict her wearing a hijab, sharing anti-Israel rhetoric, and even revealing home addresses of individuals identified as “Zionists.”
Despite her radicalization, Washburn’s past life contrasts sharply with her current activities. Photos show a middle-class family life with her husband and children, celebrating holidays and living in a modest three-bedroom home. Yet her recent online activity includes images of herself posing in front of a Hamas flag alongside hand grenades, underscoring her deepening extremist involvement.
Federal authorities state she sent the cryptocurrency donations across 80 separate transactions. In correspondence with the PIJ fighter, she acknowledged expecting significant prison time for her actions, even joking about it. Washburn faces a potential sentence of up to 20 years if convicted.
She made her initial federal court appearance in Buffalo, where a judge denied bail. The case highlights ongoing concerns about domestic individuals supporting designated terrorist groups abroad and financing violent operations through digital currencies.