Senate Republicans are calling for an investigation into the tax-exempt status of organizations that support anti-Israel and antisemitic protests on college campuses. Sen. Joni Ernst wrote to the IRS Commissioner, Danny Werfel, asking for an investigation into the Americans for Justice in Palestine Educational Foundation (AJP), the Tides Foundation, and the Westchester Peace Action Committee Foundation (WESPAC), alleging that they support anti-Israel demonstrations. American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), which is fiscally sponsored by AJP, denied directing student groups’ activities but admitted to issuing small grants for events that further their educational mission. The Tides Foundation and WESPAC did not comment on the matter.
A lawsuit filed in Virginia against AJP and National Students for Justice in Palestine (NSJP) claimed that AJP is a propaganda division for Hamas and controls hundreds of NSJP chapters in the U.S. Ernst, along with 15 other Republicans, cited this lawsuit as grounds for an investigation into the tax-exempt status of these organizations. The Republicans also referenced the Virginia Attorney General’s investigation into whether AJP used funds for impermissible purposes, including supporting terrorist organizations. Anti-Israel protests on college campuses have included illegal activities and antisemitic language, leading to the call for an investigation.
The Republicans highlighted the alleged ties between AJP and NSJP and Hamas, pointing to a manifesto disseminated by the groups following a terrorist attack by Hamas in Israel. The manifesto was claimed to have been prepared before the attack, raising suspicions about the groups’ intentions. The letter to the IRS Commissioner called for an investigation into whether these organizations are operating within the law and for legally protected purposes in the United States. The Republicans emphasized the importance of protecting freedom of assembly, speech, and association while ensuring that organizations are not supporting terrorist activities.
Neither the Tides Foundation nor WESPAC responded to requests for comment on the matter. The Republicans emphasized the need for the IRS to conduct its own investigation into the tax-exempt status of these organizations, considering the allegations made against them. The letter from Senate Republicans comes in the context of increasing tensions surrounding anti-Israel protests on college campuses, with concerns about the legality and implications of such demonstrations. The Republicans also noted the involvement of Virginia Attorney General in investigating whether AJP used funds for impermissible purposes under state law.
The call for an investigation into the tax-exempt status of organizations supporting anti-Israel and antisemitic protests reflects concerns about the legality and potential ties to terrorist activities. The letter highlights the alleged connections between American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) and Hamas, raising suspicions about the organizations’ activities on college campuses. The Republicans have called on the IRS to investigate these organizations further to ensure they are operating within the law and not supporting illegal or terrorist activities that could have harmful implications. The letter comes in the context of increasing tensions surrounding anti-Israel protests on college campuses, with concerns about illegal activities and antisemitic language being used in demonstrations.
