In recent weeks, a coalition of Congressional Republicans has been applying increasing pressure to the Treasury Department for a full accounting of the cash flow between pro-Palestinian charities and militant group Hamas.
In a July 23rd letter to Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, led by freshman Republican Congressman Allen B. West (R-Fla.) of the 11th Congressional District, the group of Congressmen raised grave concerns that funding from US-based charitable organizations is being used to bankroll terrorists in the Middle East.
The letter outlined evidence to demonstrate the widespread use of charitable groups and financial institutions to funnel money to Hamas. The document contained a list of transactions between several pro-Palestinian organizations and several US-designated financial entities.
The Center for Near East Policy Research, an independent research organization, found that approximately $200 million was expended over a 20-year period from the late 2000s to the late 2020s through six key organizations that provide care and assistance to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The bulk of this funding went to Hamas-affiliated entities, the group found.
The lawmakers argue that the government must take steps to protect US tax dollars from going to terrorists and terrorist organizations, and in their letter, asked the Treasury Department to investigate and issue harsh sanctions against any US-based charitable organization found to be providing financial or other support to designated terrorists.
In their press release, the group of Congressional Republicans commented that they are “committed to holding those accountable who jeopardize US security, whether they are foreign or domestic entities” and that they must “ensure that our tax dollars are not used to line the pockets of terrorists.”
The tone of the letter has been echoed by several leading members of the Republican party, including House Leader Kevin McCarthy, who commented recently that “in no way can the United States allow its tax dollars to be used to support terrorists who cause hurt and harm.”
At this time, Secretary Mnuchin and other members of the Treasury Department have yet to publicly respond to the letter.