Pro-Palestine philanthropist faces US extradition hearing in Spain

Madrid, Spain – The wife of a pro-Palestine philanthropist who faces extradition to the United States has urged the Spanish prime minister to grant asylum, to save him from being sent to his own country. James “Fergie” Chambers is the first US citizen to face extradition to their own country. He is accused of supporting Hamas, an allegation apparently linked to a money laundering charge and donations that he 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,” Stella Schnabel told Al Jazeera.

Chambers was arrested in July in Ibiza as he and his partner, Schnabel, an actress, searched for a school for their son, after Interpol issued a Red Notice for his detention.