In a recent interview with MSNBC anchor Andrea Mitchell, former chief of staff for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Bennett, expressed strong criticism towards a proposed three-day pause, deeming it a “very bad idea.” Meanwhile, Republican Representative Greg Murphy is pushing for a federal investigation into whether American citizens unknowingly donate money to pro-Palestinian charities that ultimately fund Hamas. Murphy’s concerns lie in the fact that these terrorist organizations receive millions of dollars from well-intentioned Americans who believe their donations are helping people in need.
In a letter addressed to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Murphy expressed grave concern about fraudulent charitable organizations being used to finance Hamas and other affiliated terrorist groups. He called on Yellen to outline any plans she has in place to ensure that charitable dollars from Americans do not end up in the hands of these organizations. Murphy also highlighted the potential role of social media platforms in amplifying these alleged charity groups that funnel funds to Hamas.
The rise of social media has made it easier for these organizations to crowdsource funds from ordinary American citizens, who may not be aware of Hamas’ use of fraudulent charities to finance their war against Israel. Murphy specifically mentioned TikTok as a platform that potentially amplifies pro-Palestinian messages over pro-Israel content. He raised concerns about TikTok’s ties to China, as the parent company, ByteDance, is based in Beijing, suggesting that foreign powers such as Russia, China, and Iran collaborate to spread American resources thinly.
Investigations are already underway, with the Virginia attorney general probing American Muslims for Palestine for potential violations of the state’s charitable solicitation laws. The attorney general aims to determine whether the organization has used funds raised for impermissible purposes, including supporting terrorist organizations. Murphy has urged Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to look into this matter as well.
This call for investigation comes in the aftermath of the brutal attack by Hamas militants on southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,400 people, mostly civilians. Israel responded swiftly and intensely, leading to the deaths of over 10,000 Palestinians, the majority of whom were also civilians, according to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry.
It is crucial to ensure that charitable donations intended for humanitarian causes do not inadvertently end up financing terrorist activities. Representative Greg Murphy’s push for a federal investigation highlights the need for transparency and accountability in the realm of charitable giving to prevent funds from reaching the wrong hands.
Elizabeth Elkind, a reporter for Digital, specializing in Congress and the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and politics, contributed to this report. Her previous work can be found at Daily Mail and CBS News. For updates, follow her on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send any tips to [email protected].
