State Department funds group accused of ‘collaborating’ with Palestinian terrorists.
EXCLUSIVE: State Department Funds Gaza Organization Linked to Palestinian Terrorists
The Department of State is under fire for providing funding to an organization based in the Gaza Strip that is accused of supporting and cooperating with Palestinian terrorists. The Phoenix Center for Research and Field Studies, established in 2021 at the University of Gaza, received $90,000 in taxpayer-backed grants from President Joe Biden’s State Department for two projects. However, the center has recently partnered with leaders of U.S.-designated terror groups, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, according to watchdog group NGO Monitor.
Concerns Raised Over Funding
Lawmakers, including Rep. Chris Smith, have expressed deep concern over the State Department’s decision to provide taxpayer dollars to an organization involved in promoting terrorism. Rep. Smith emphasized that funding workshops and conferences decorated with terrorist flags and posters sends a disturbing message and raises alarming questions. Republicans argue that the Biden administration’s approach to Palestinian aid poses significant national security and human rights risks, despite previous concerns about Hamas accessing the funds.
Questionable Awards
NGO Monitor President Gerald Steinberg criticized the State Department for not thoroughly vetting its awards to the Phoenix Center for Research and Field Studies. The center received $60,000 for a project focused on promoting diversity and enhancing Palestinians’ skills in public speaking and digital networking. Additionally, it was granted $30,000 for a project related to information technology and raising awareness of IT trends. The Washington Examiner reached out to the State Department for comment but did not receive a response.
Ties to Terror Groups
NGO Monitor revealed that the Phoenix Center for Research and Field Studies has held discussions and workshops featuring members of Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. These groups have been designated as terror organizations by the State Department since 1997 and have been responsible for numerous attacks against Israel. The center’s Programs Director, Salah Abdalati, has shown support for these terror factions and praised “resistance fighters.”
Call for Oversight and Accountability
Lawmakers, including Rep. Tim Burchett, are demanding greater oversight and accountability to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not flowing to organizations with ties to terrorism. The House Foreign Affairs Committee plans to hold a hearing on the implementation of the Taylor Force Act, which aims to restrict U.S. aid to the Palestinian Authority until it ceases providing stipends to terrorists and their families. Republicans on the committee intend to write a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken seeking answers regarding funding to the Phoenix Center for Research and Field Studies.
“These funding actions make it more clear this administration is the most hostile to Israel we’ve ever seen,” said Morton Klein, president of the Zionist Organization of America.
How does the decision to provide taxpayer-backed grants to an organization associated with Palestinian terrorists undermine the United States’ efforts to promote peace and security in the region?
Funds. They assert that providing financial support to organizations linked to Palestinian terrorists undermines the United States’ commitment to eradicating terrorism globally.
NGO Monitor’s Findings
NGO Monitor, a non-governmental organization based in Israel, has been instrumental in uncovering the controversial ties between the Phoenix Center for Research and Field Studies and recognized terrorist groups. Through meticulous research and analysis, they have determined that the center’s leadership maintains close connections with the leadership of Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
According to NGO Monitor, the center’s relationship with these designated terrorist groups is not sporadic or isolated but rather extensive and integrated. These connections raise serious questions about the intentions and activities of the organization, as well as its eligibility to receive funding from the United States under its current criteria and regulations.
A Disturbing Message
The decision to provide taxpayer-backed grants to an organization associated with Palestinian terrorists sends a disturbing message. It undermines the trust and legitimacy of the United States’ efforts to promote peace, security, and human rights in the region. Funding workshops and conferences decorated with terrorist flags and posters contradicts the principles and values upheld by the United States and calls into question the vetting process used by the State Department.
Rep. Smith and other concerned lawmakers stress the need for increased scrutiny and transparency in the allocation of funds to ensure that taxpayer money is not inadvertently supporting terrorism or organizations that enable its propagation. They argue that the potential national security risks posed by funding groups linked to terrorists far outweigh any potential benefits that may be derived from such funding.
The Biden Administration’s Approach
The controversy surrounding the funding of the Phoenix Center for Research and Field Studies reflects broader concerns about the Biden administration’s approach to providing aid to the Palestinians. Critics argue that previous policies and initiatives have not adequately addressed concerns about the diversion of funds to terrorist organizations or the promotion of hatred, extremism, and violence.
Despite these concerns, the Biden administration has emphasized the humanitarian aspect of its aid package to the Palestinians, highlighting the urgent need for support in areas such as healthcare, education, and economic development. However, it is imperative that these funds are meticulously allocated and monitored to ensure they do not inadvertently benefit terrorists or those connected to them.
The Way Forward
The revelations regarding the State Department’s funding of the Phoenix Center for Research and Field Studies should serve as a wake-up call for increased vigilance and scrutiny. It is crucial that the United States and other donor countries have robust mechanisms in place to prevent the diversion of funds to terrorist organizations and associated entities.
Lawmakers must demand more transparency in the selection and vetting process for organizations receiving funding. Additionally, increased cooperation and intelligence sharing between countries can help identify and disrupt the financing networks that sustain terrorism.
Supporting legitimate humanitarian initiatives and promoting peace in the Palestinian territories should remain a priority for the international community. However, it is vital that these efforts are undertaken with utmost caution and due diligence to ensure that funds do not fall into the wrong hands or inadvertently support terrorism.
The State Department and the Biden administration must address the concerns raised over the funding of the Phoenix Center for Research and Field Studies and take appropriate action to prevent similar instances in the future. Ensuring that taxpayer money is not funneled to organizations with ties to terrorists is not only a matter of national security but also a testament to the United States’ commitment to combating terrorism and promoting peace worldwide.
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