US Pushes Spain to Extradite Gaza Philanthropist Amid Claims of Political Persecution

US prosecutors have filed an extradition request with Spain for James “Fergie” Chambers, a wealthy American who funds Gaza humanitarian projects and is alleged to have transferred $7.5 million to Tunisia that was later used to support Hamas, though the sealed indictment provides no details. Chambers was seized on Ibiza in July while searching for a school for his five-year-old son with his wife, actress Stella Schnabel, and has spent six weeks in a Madrid jail awaiting a decision.

Schnabel claims the move reflects political persecution by the Trump administration and cautions that it could create a chilling precedent for the broader free-Palestine movement in Europe. His legal team, led by human-rights lawyer Baltasar Garzon, argues the extradition request is motivated by his outspoken criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza and his charitable work. Spanish authorities must assess whether the case qualifies as political persecution before ruling on the US request. The case marks the first known US attempt to extradite a citizen on Hamas-support charges.