Jason Miyares, the Virginia attorney general, filed a petition against American Muslims for Palestine, amid allegations that the group has raised money for terror groups. The anti-Israel nonprofit has refused to comply with a Civil Investigative Demand, which the state filed on Oct. 27, 2023, Miyares stated on Jan. 14.
The demand “requested records relating to AMP’s noncompliance with the state’s charitable solicitation law and an investigation into allegations that the organization may have used raised funds for impermissible purposes, such as benefiting or providing support to terrorist organizations,” Miyares’s office said. (JNS sought comment from the Virginia attorney general’s office.)
“Despite the court denying AMP’s previous efforts to halt my investigation, they continue refusing to comply,” he stated. “This action is necessary to ensure accountability and uphold the law.”
The Falls Church, Va.-based nonprofit describes itself as a “grassroots organization” that is “dedicated to advancing the movement for justice in Palestine.”
The Anti-Defamation League describes the group as “the leading organization providing anti-Zionist training and education to students and Muslim community organizations in the country.”
Miyares has previously told JNS that he was “pleased” with a Richmond, Va. circuit court’s decision that the group must disclose its funders.
Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, sought funding documents from National Students for Justice in Palestine in late May.
He stated at the time that SJP “is founded and controlled by American Muslims for Palestine,” a nonprofit that has “substantial ties to Hamas via its financial sponsor, Americans for Justice in Palestine Educational Foundation.”
“The committee is particularly concerned that organizations promulgating pro-Hamas propaganda and engaging in illegal activities at institutions of higher education might be receiving funding or other support from foreign or domestic sources which support the aims of Hamas or other foreign terrorist organizations,” he wrote at the time.
