According to 18 U.S.C. 2339B, what is required for support to terrorist organizations?

The requirement under 18 U.S.C. 2339B focuses on the necessity of knowledge and intent when providing support to foreign terrorist organizations. To be guilty of a violation under this law, an individual must knowingly provide material support or resources to a designated terrorist organization with the intent to further the organization's illegal activities. This means that the individual must be aware of the organization's status and their actions and must possess the intention to support those actions.

Understanding this requirement is crucial because it highlights the legal standards surrounding what constitutes material support. Simply providing support based on a belief in ideological alignment, or under the guise of humanitarian efforts, does not exempt someone from the law if the knowledge and intent are present regarding the organization's activities. Therefore, the emphasis on "knowing and intending" establishes a clear threshold that must be met for legal repercussions to apply in relation to aiding terrorist groups.