The Richmond City Circuit Court held the AJP Educational Foundation, which operates as American Muslims for Palestine, in civil contempt on Monday for the Falls Church, Va., group’s failure to comply with a state investigation.
“The attorney general’s office has the duty to ensure charitable organizations operating in Virginia adhere to the law,” stated Jason Miyares, Virginia attorney general. “The court’s authority must be respected and upheld.”
Devika Davis, a judge on the court, ordered the group to pay $8,000 for the state’s reasonable costs and attorneys’ fees and ruled that American Muslims for Palestine will be fined $1,000 daily if it fails to comply after Oct. 3.
The civil contempt follows what the court and the state attorney general say is the group’s failure to respond to a court order in May, which the judge ordered the group to adhere to on June 13.
The Anti-Defamation League says American Muslims for Palestine is “at the core of the anti-Israel and anti-Zionist movement in the United States” and that its leadership “frequently engages in rhetoric that promotes antisemitic tropes and support for violence against Israel, such as praising Hamas for the Oct. 7, 2023, attack.”
Leaders of the nonprofit “have spread antisemitism, expressed support for Hamas terrorists and praised the Muslim Brotherhood and its spiritual leader,” according to Canary Mission. “At least one AMP national board member reportedly personally raised money for Hamas, while another two board members have been linked to alleged Hamas financiers.”
Virginia told American Muslims for Palestine on Oct. 27, 2023, that it must cooperate with a state investigation of its alleged noncompliance with Virginia’s charitable solicitation law and alleged illegal use of funds.
The judge ordered the group to comply with the June 13 court order by Oct. 3 and to appear in court, with the state attorney general’s office determining on Oct. 28 whether it has complied with the order or if sanctions are necessary.
