PHILADELPHIA – November 15, 2023 – A Middle East Forum investigation, published at Focus on Western Islamism, uncovered over $260 million sent through 501(c)s to Hamas-aligned "charities" operating in the United States. Donors include corporate foundations, employee-giving schemes, community organizations, and private foundations.
Donors include the foundation arms of household companies such as PayPal, Fidelity, Shell, J.P. Morgan, Bank of America, Schwab, along with major philanthropic charities such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
FWI's in-depth research also uncovered over 17 Islamist-run "charities" seemingly belonging to Hamas' infrastructure, along with evidence of links to terrorism, and instances of violently antisemitic rhetoric among their officials. Some charities are even funded by American taxpayers, with over $100 million going to these charities via the federal government over the past decade.
Evidence of misuse of the American nonprofit system includes a registered 501(c)'s public collaboration with Kuwait's Islamic Heritage Revival Society (RIHS), despite its designation by the State Department as a terrorist organization in 2008.
Other findings uncovered include evidence of charities directly funding Hamas's "Ministry of Health," as well as senior officials of charities praising Hamas leaders and praising Nazism.
The Middle East Forum has published the raw data underpinning the report, including full details of the $260 million of grants given to these Hamas-aligned nonprofits in the United States.
Sam Westrop, author of the report, notes: "The federal government has once again failed to stop hostile foreign entities misusing the 501(c) nonprofit system. Major 'charities' have grown and operated with impunity. It is a disgrace that the federal government and charitable foundations finance these radical groups' activities."
Gregg Roman, director of the Middle East Forum, adds: "A recent Israeli report found that at least $500 million of Hamas's income relies on its network of charities around' the world. There is no doubt that the Islamist 'charities' identified by the Middle East Forum contribute to these sums, using partnerships with Hamas's proxies in Gaza to appear lawful at first glance. Dig a little deeper, and it is clear that many are ideologically committed to Hamas. It's time for the federal government to act. And Congress should make sure that it does."
The Middle East Forum, a non-profit organization, promotes American interests in the Middle East and protects Western civilization from Islamism. It does so through a combination of original ideas, focused activism, and funding allies. For more information, visit www.meforum.org.
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Gregg Roman
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