US House probes use of federal funds in Anti-Netanyahu protests, NGO ties to terror groups

The investigation also points to potential violations of Israeli nonprofit law.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

An investigation by the US House of Representatives has raised concerns that American taxpayer money may have been used to support protests against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s judicial overhaul plan.

According to a report released Thursday, congressional committees are examining whether organizations that received US federal grants under the Biden-Harris administration were involved in efforts to destabilize the Israeli government.

As reported by The Jerusalem Post in March, six nonprofit organizations operating in the United States and Israel have come under scrutiny by the House Judiciary and Foreign Affairs Committees.

Lawmakers are investigating whether funds provided by the administration were funneled into mass demonstrations in 2023 opposing Netanyahu’s controversial judicial reform plan.

The congressional report alleges that the administration awarded grants to several groups that “contributed directly and indirectly” to the anti-reform protests.

Among the recipients cited are Blue and White Future (BWF) and the Movement for the Quality of Government in Israel, both of which reportedly received significant funding.

The investigation also points to potential violations of Israeli nonprofit law. It notes that BWF’s activities during the protests may have gone beyond the organization’s legal mandate, possibly breaching the conditions of its nonprofit registration by “operating outside of its stated goals.”

Beyond the political controversy, the investigation raises further concerns about US funds potentially reaching groups linked to terrorism.

One example cited is the Gaza-based Bayader Association for Environment and Development, which has reportedly received nearly $1 million in US aid since 2016. Despite this support, the NGO has openly collaborated with Hamas officials, the report states, including organizing joint events with Hamas leaders and coordinating with ministries under Hamas control.

The most recent grant to Bayader, according to the report, was issued by USAID on October 1, 2023—just one week before Hamas launched its deadly October 7 attacks.

The investigation remains ongoing and is expected to widen to include other US and Israeli organizations allegedly involved in misusing federal funds either to influence Israeli domestic politics or to support groups connected to terrorism.