House asks IRS to pull tax

A House committee is investigating the tax-exempt status of several organizations linked to Palestinian terrorism following the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2022. The committee, led by Republican lawmaker Smith, argues that these organizations have incited antisemitic riots and have connections to terrorist groups such as Hamas and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). Smith's letters to the IRS specifically target groups in states like New York, Virginia, Arizona, California, and Texas, citing their activities as contrary to their stated exempt purposes. Among the organizations under scrutiny is the Alliance for Global Justice (AFGJ), which is associated with the Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, designated as a terrorist group. Smith contends that tax-exempt funds are improperly flowing to these organizations, undermining their legitimacy. The investigation has prompted significant backlash, including withdrawal of support from payment processors and left-wing donors. Additionally, the People's Forum, a New York-based charity, is being investigated for its involvement in violent anti-Israel protests and alleged ties to a Chinese propaganda operation. The IRS is also urged to revoke the tax-exempt status of the Americans for Justice in Palestine Educational Foundation, which has connections to Hamas and the Holy Land Foundation, a group previously shut down for funding terrorism. Smith emphasizes that tax-exempt status is a privilege that requires organizations to operate within legal and ethical boundaries. The committee's actions reflect a broader effort to hold organizations accountable for their affiliations and activities, particularly in light of rising antisemitism and concerns over terrorism funding in the U.S.