Israel acts against terror financing

Israel has developed advanced methods to combat terror financing and money laundering, a top Israeli official told an international meeting in Tel Aviv. Steps taken include freezing and confiscating assets of those convicted of money laundering and developing legal structures and law enforcement methods, Finance Ministry Director General Guy Rothkopf said. Rothkopf spoke at the opening session of the 10th Experts Meeting on Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Typologies, The Jerusalem Post said Tuesday. Israel joined MONEYVAL, the Council of Europe's expert committee, on evaluating terror funding methods and money laundering as an active observer in 2006. Members from 30 countries attended the conference to discuss specific strategies to be taken to combat terror financing and money laundering. "Those financing terror are creative, and national authorities need to keep one step ahead of them," the Post quoted MONEYVAL Executive Director John Ringguth as saying. He warned of the diverse tactics used by groups funding terror saying they pose legal and practical challenges for governments.