NEW YORK — A woman from New York State was arrested on Tuesday for sending funds to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist group, the latest in a string of alleged terror offenses by anti-Zionist activists in the US.

Catherine Washburn, 37, sent more than $30,000 in funds she had raised for purported humanitarian purposes to a member of the terror group, according to a federal criminal complaint.

Washburn, a resident of Irondequoit, near the city of Rochester in western New York State, is an organizer with Direction Action Movement for Palestinian Liberation, the complaint said.

The group is an extremist anti-Israel organization that rejects peaceful protests in favor of “direct action,” an activist term for illegal acts such as sabotage and property destruction.

The complaint, filed by an FBI agent investigating the case, said Washburn had raised funds for a man in Gaza, identified by the initials H.H., starting in November 2024.

The man told Washburn in February 2025 that he was a member of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and had attacked IDF troops, but she continued transferring him funds until April, the investigator said.

Washburn said in a February message to H.H., “If I lived in Gaza, I would fight alongside the resistance.”

H.H. told her he was a member of PIJ’s military wing, the Al Quds Brigades, and that he had joined the October 7, 2023, terrorist invasion of Israel. Washburn thanked him for partaking in the attack and praised his bravery.

The alleged terrorist added that he had taken IDF equipment from Israel’s Erez Crossing “after attacking and killing them,” and sent her a video of himself holding an anti-tank rocket launcher with Hebrew writing on the side.

“Oh yes, good job,” Washburn said. “I wish every day were October 7.”

“I hate the Jews very much,” she said.

She also told him, “I wish Israel would disappear,” “Every inch of Palestine must be returned,” and, “Only one state: Palestine.”

H.H. also sent her photos of himself brandishing pistols and assault rifles and the pair discussed “missions” he had been carrying out in northern Gaza, an apparent euphemism for terror operations.

Washburn said she was “proud” to have earned the terrorist’s trust, and he told her, “Catherine, you really were fighting alongside me, my love.”

After H.H. said he had seen a deadly ambush against Israeli troops, Washburn said, “I feel excited........

© The Times of Israel