Issa urges FBI and Treasury to probe ActBlue’s anti-Israel fundraising.

Republican⁢ Congressman Calls for Investigation​ into ActBlue’s Collaboration with Anti-Israel Group

Rep. Darrell⁤ Issa ⁢(R-CA) has demanded that the FBI and Treasury Department launch an investigation into ActBlue, a top Democratic ⁢software, over its previous collaboration with an anti-Israel group accused of having ties to Palestinian terrorism.‍ The charity‌ platform, ActBlue, recently‍ removed‌ the ‌Palestinian Campaign for‌ the ⁢Academic‍ and Cultural Boycott‍ of Israel (PACBI) ⁣from its platform for violating its policies.

In a ‌letter to Treasury’s Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Undersecretary Brian E. Nelson and FBI Director‌ Christopher ‍Wray, Issa ​requested significant information and urged the officials to ⁢review⁢ whether ActBlue or PACBI violated⁤ federal law. Issa expressed serious​ concerns about⁣ the collaboration between the two entities, suggesting that it may​ enable terror-related activity and potentially constitute money laundering crimes and violations of international law.

Issa’s letter cited ⁤the Zachor Legal Institute, a pro-Israel watchdog, which claimed that ActBlue may have‌ provided⁤ material support to terrorism through its association with PACBI. PACBI, a founding member of‌ the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions​ National Committee,‌ has connections to U.S.-designated terror groups, according to the ⁢Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs.

The Washington Examiner reported that PACBI is a‍ project of the Alliance for Global Justice, an Arizona charity linked ​to ⁢Palestinian terrorism. Sens.​ Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) have raised concerns about ⁣PayPal’s ties to the Alliance for Global Justice, and House ⁤GOP investigators are also ‌looking into the matter.

ActBlue’s Policies and Questions Raised

ActBlue has not⁢ specified⁤ which⁢ policies⁤ PACBI violated before being removed from⁤ its platform. However, ActBlue’s policies state​ that it does not‍ work with groups​ that oppose social equality,⁣ women’s rights, LGBTQIA2S+ rights, racial justice, diversity, freedom of⁢ speech, disability rights, and respect for⁢ scientific ‍inquiry, discovery, and data.

In his letter, Issa criticized the BDS movement as fundamentally antisemitic and questioned ​the extent to⁣ which ActBlue’s coalition building activities are aiding attacks on Israel⁣ and targeting the ⁣Jewish people worldwide.

Issa posed several questions to Nelson and Wray, including whether the FBI or Treasury Department are aware ‌of the longstanding ‍association between ActBlue Charities and⁣ PACBI, and if they have reviewed the relationship to determine ‌if funds are flowing ⁣from Americans to​ terrorist organizations. He ‌also ‌asked if the ​FBI‌ is‌ aware of any ​other ‍material support provided by PACBI or the BDS National Committee to terror⁣ groups.

The Treasury ⁤Department ⁣and FBI⁤ declined to‌ comment on the matter. Issa also ⁣inquired ⁣about​ the foreign banks that have handled funds raised ‌by PACBI through ActBlue and whether ‌any suspicious activity reports have⁢ been filed with the ​Financial​ Crimes Enforcement Network.

Issa emphasized the importance of obtaining answers‍ to these questions to‍ determine whether ActBlue Charities has raised funds ⁢for international terrorism through its collaboration ⁢with PACBI. ActBlue and​ PACBI did not‍ respond to requests for comment.

How did ActBlue overlook the potential ⁢risks associated with collaborating with an⁢ organization⁤ like PACBI?

⁢Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs has alleged‌ that PACBI has links to Hamas, an internationally recognized terrorist organization. Furthermore, the Zioness Movement, a pro-Israel progressive organization, has also accused PACBI of promoting anti-Semitism, extremism, and intolerance. These allegations have raised concerns about ActBlue’s collaboration with PACBI and the potential implications it may have on national security and international relations.

ActBlue,⁣ a widely used fundraising platform, has been instrumental in raising millions of dollars for Democratic candidates and causes. Its partnership with PACBI, therefore, raises questions about the vetting process and due diligence conducted ​by ActBlue before associating with ‌an organization that has alleged ties to​ terrorism. Critics argue that the collaboration undermines the​ platform’s⁣ credibility and its commitment to supporting democratic values.

In response to Issa’s request, ActBlue has taken action⁢ by severing⁢ its ties with PACBI. This move demonstrates ActBlue’s commitment to maintaining ethical standards and ensuring that it operates within the boundaries of the ​law. However, it also raises questions‌ about how ActBlue overlooked the potential risks associated with collaborating ⁤with an‍ organization like PACBI in the first place.

The call for ‍an investigation by Congressman ‌Issa highlights the need‍ for‌ greater scrutiny⁢ and accountability in terms of organizations and platforms that are involved ⁤in ​political fundraising. It also underscores the importance of upholding the principles of transparency and accountability, especially when it ⁤comes to⁢ tackling issues as sensitive and complex as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

This investigation, if initiated, should⁣ aim to determine the extent of ActBlue’s ⁢collaboration with PACBI, the nature of their financial transactions,‌ and whether any laws or regulations have ⁣been violated. Additionally, it should assess ActBlue’s internal policies‍ and processes for vetting‌ potential partners and ⁣organizations to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

This matter transcends partisan politics and should⁣ be approached with seriousness and impartiality by law enforcement agencies. The focus should not⁣ be on attacking a political party or fundraising platform but rather on ensuring that ‍all organizations involved ⁢in political fundraising adhere to legal and ethical standards.

The investigation, ​if it does take place, will shed light on ‌the⁣ potential risks associated with political fundraising platforms and the importance of due ⁣diligence in partnering with nonprofit organizations. It⁤ will ‍also serve as a reminder⁣ that organizations involved in political activities ‌must ‍prioritize the integrity of their partnerships and be‍ mindful of the potential⁤ ramifications they may have ⁤on national security and foreign‍ policy.

Overall, Congressman Issa’s call for an‌ investigation ‌into ActBlue’s collaboration with PACBI raises important questions about the integrity and transparency of political fundraising platforms.‌ It emphasizes the need for accountability, due diligence, and adherence to legal and ethical standards. As investigations proceed, it is crucial that the findings are shared‍ with the⁢ public to restore trust and ensure that similar incidents can be prevented in the⁢ future.