Pro-Palestine Philanthropist Faces Extradition Battle in Spain Amidst Accusations of Hamas Financing

James 'Fergie' Chambers, a prominent US donor to Palestinian causes, is currently embroiled in an extradition hearing in Spain, facing accusations of financing Hamas. Chambers vehemently denies these charges.

His wife, Stella Schnabel, an actress, has made a public plea to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, urging him to grant Chambers political asylum to prevent his extradition to the United States. Chambers is reportedly the first US citizen to face extradition to his own country.

The allegations against Chambers are linked to a money laundering charge and donations made to support Palestinians in Gaza. "I am pleading with [Spanish Prime Minister Pedro] Sanchez to use his powers to ensure Fergie’s political asylum claim is expedited for urgent consideration by the panel of ministers. This is within his gift. If he chooses not to act, he risks enabling [US President Donald] Trump to establish a precedent in Spain and across Europe which criminalises solidarity with the Palestinian people," Schnabel stated.

Spain’s National Court is scheduled to review evidence from US authorities on Thursday, with a final decision expected later. Chambers, described as a left-wing activist with an estimated net worth of $250m, also faces charges of riot and conspiracy to riot in the US, related to a 2023 protest against an Israeli arms company. These charges could result in a sentence of up to 30 years imprisonment.

Chambers, who identifies as an anti-imperialist, denies all wrongdoing. He was arrested in Ibiza in July while searching for a school for his son with Schnabel, following an Interpol Red Notice. Since his arrest, he has sought asylum, claiming political persecution.

His extradition is on hold pending the resolution of his asylum claim; if successful, he cannot be extradited.

The US government's case alleges Chambers laundered $7.5m, transferred from a US bank account to Tunisia several years ago, purportedly to support Hamas. Schnabel, however, stated in a previous interview that the funds were intended for Club Africain, a Tunisian football club, to cover debts, salaries, and to fund the reconstruction of a training center and youth pitches.

Chambers's legal team has highlighted alleged mistranslations between the US criminal charge and its Spanish version, which they argue inflate the seriousness of the allegations. These alleged mistranslations pertain to protests in 2003 targeting Elbit Systems, an Israeli weapons manufacturer. For instance,