Holy Land case goes to jury

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The case against a group accused of fund raising for Hamas has gone to a Texas jury.

The Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development is accused by the U.S. government of raising millions of dollars for Hamas, helping to promote the terrorist organization through humanitarian aid.

Five foundation officials, all of Palestinian descent and including four American citizens, are on trial and face life in prison if convicted.

Throughout the two-month trial in Dallas, U.S. government attorneys presented evidence from secretly recorded phone calls, financial documents and evidence obtained from the Israeli military.

The defense countered that the men are being prosecuted in part because some are related to Hamas leaders and because of their political position on Israel, according to The New York Times.

The foundation has avoided conviction in similar cases brought by the government in recent years, although some charity leaders were convicted on lesser charges.

Closing arguments took three days; a decision is not expected until next week.

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