Fox’s first appearance: Senate Republicans on Thursday night called for an investigation into the tax-exempt status of several organizations that have supported various anti-Israel and anti-Semitic protests at universities across the country.
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), in a letter to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Danny Wuerffel, wrote to the Educational Foundation for Palestine (AJP), the Tides Foundation, and the Westchester Peace Action Committee Foundation (WESPAC). called for an investigation into Americans seeking justice. over support for anti-Israel demonstrations at dozens of universities.
American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) (501(c)(3)), which is financially sponsored by AJP, “denies any corporate relationship with any student organization. AMP is not a financial sponsor.” of any student group. However, AMP’s legal representatives told Fox News Digital that AMP “is issuing small grants averaging just under $500 each for costs related to already planned events that further AMP’s educational mission.” “I’m working on it,” he said.
Sen. Joni Ernst wrote a letter to several organizations asking for an investigation by the IRS. (Getty Images/File)
“AMP has been subject to previous scrutiny and we have full confidence that we can once again demonstrate that we are lawfully operating within the United States for legally protected purposes.” said the representative.
“AMP also supports the right of every American to exercise the First Amendment protections of freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, and freedom of association,” they added.
Neither the Tides Foundation nor WESPAC provided comment to Fox News Digital.
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He referred to a recent lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia by victims of the October 7 terrorist attack by Israel’s Hamas against AJP and National Students for Palestinian Justice (NSJP). They claimed that AJP is effectively Hamas’ “propaganda arm in the United States” and that the organization created NSJP to “control hundreds of chapters” in schools across the country.
The letter was signed by 15 other people, including Senate Republican John Thune (R.S.D.), who is running to replace Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) in November. Republican senators also signed. Additional signatories included Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R.C.), and Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah).
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NSJP is participating in protests across the country. (Getty Images)
Mr. Ernst pointed to the plaintiff’s claim that AJP and NSJP “prepared and responded to Hamas’s ‘call for mass mobilization’ by disseminating a manifesto and attack plan” on October 8, the day after the attack. . The manifesto contained “material that appears to have been created prior to the attack,” according to the complaint.
“This basis is sufficient basis to initiate an independent investigation into the tax-exempt status of these entities,” the letter said.
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The complaint suggests these groups had advance knowledge of the October 7 attack. (Alice Messinis/AFP via Getty Images)
Republicans also cited the fact that Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares launched an investigation last year into whether AJP “used funds raised for purposes not permitted under state law.” You are not alone.” [benefiting] or provide support to a terrorist organization. ”
Fox News Digital has reached out to the IRS and NSJP for comment.
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Recently, a building at Columbia University was occupied by anti-Israel demonstrators. (Rashid Umar Abbasi, Fox News Digital)
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The letter was issued after 2,200 people were arrested or detained during protests on at least 49 college campuses in 26 states between April 18 and May 3.
In some cases, anti-Israel protests included illegal activities such as setting up encampments and occupying buildings. Anti-Semitic language and threats were also used at some demonstrations.
