Republican Senators Urge IRS to Revoke Tax-Exempt Status of Groups Involved in Campus Protests

Senators Request IRS Investigation

A group of fifteen Republican Senators are urging the IRS to investigate whether organizations involved in recent anti-Israel protests on college campuses have violated their tax-exempt status by supporting Hamas, a designated terrorist group.

Letter Spearheaded by Sen. Joni Ernst

The letter, led by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), was sent to IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. It named several organizations, including the National Students for Justice in Palestine (NSJP), the AJP Educational Foundation (AJP), the Tides Foundation, and the Westchester Peace Action Committee Foundation (WESPAC Foundation). The senators want to know if these groups have "engaged in conduct warranting revocation of their tax-exempt statuses on the basis of their financial support of NSJP," as reported by Just the News.

Allegations Against AJP and NSJP

The letter highlights that AJP and NSJP are being sued by victims of the Oct. 7 attack in Israel. The plaintiffs accuse these organizations of being a propaganda division of Hamas. The letter also suggests that these organizations exert "control" over Students for Justice in Palestine chapters, which have been heavily involved in campus protests.

George Soros' Funding

It is noteworthy that Students for Justice in Palestine (NSJP) has received funding from George Soros through a network of nonprofits leading back to the billionaire. At three colleges, protests are being encouraged by paid radicals who are “fellows” of a Soros-funded group called the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights (USCPR). USCPR provides up to $7,800 for its community-based fellows and between $2,880 and $3,660 for its campus-based “fellows” in return for spending eight hours a week organizing “campaigns led by Palestinian organizations.”

Revoking Tax-Exempt Status

According to the Ernst letter, "It is long-established precedent that when 501(c)(3) organizations have ‘planned activities that violate laws’ or engage in activities designed ‘to induce the commission of a crime or if the accomplishment of the purpose is otherwise against public policy,’ the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has grounds to revoke their tax-exempt status."

Supporting Hamas

The letter also emphasizes that these organizations and the protests are supporting Hamas, a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). The senators are calling for an investigation into whether the financial supporters of NSJP, including but not limited to AJP, the WESPAC Foundation, and the Tides Foundation, have engaged in conduct warranting their tax-exempt status to be stripped.

Groups Defend Themselves

The groups have defended themselves. For instance, in a recent post, NSJP stated that its members "are developing a generation of disciplined, politicized young leaders who will carry the torch of our struggle," adding "Long live the Student Intifada."

Ernst's Pro-Israel Stance

However, it is worth noting that Ernst is a significant recipient of pro-Israel campaign donations and has attended AIPAC events. This raises questions about whether using the IRS against Israel's enemies on this very sensitive issue is done in 'good faith.'

Read the Letter Below:

Tyler Durden

Sun, 05/12/2024 - 08:00

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