Pro-Israeli organizations fund anti-Muslim hate groups in US
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Hate crimes in the United States could not only be a matter of ideology but funding and planning as well.
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Hate groups in the US are many - with time, their funders are being exposed.
Charities enjoying ties with Jewish families and unions, according to a report on the flow of tax-deducted donations to organizations, have been funding anti-Muslim groups as identified by a Muslim civil rights lobby.
“Islamophobia in the Mainstream” is the title of the report which was published on Tuesday by the Council on American-Islamic Relations - a civil rights group and political lobby critical of "Israel".
1000+ anti-Muslim financiers
CAIR analyzed 50 charities that were at the top of the list of some 1,100 anti-Muslim financiers identified in a report in 2021 to find out that 35 foundations hold responsibility for nearly $106 million funneled to 26 anti-Muslim groups between 2017 to 2019.
Although the number is lower than in previous years, it is indicative of how Islamophobia continues to enjoy funding in the US, according to CAIR.
No less than 5 funders of the list provided are outspoken Jews, while many other foundations are private family foundations notorious for their support for "Israel".
Support for pro-"Israel" extremist groups
CAIR confirmed that the propagation of funders tied to Jews also has links to some extremist and right-wing groups with pro-Israeli agenda, which promotes Islamophobia.
Some of the groups funded were mentioned by name, including the Committee for Accuracy in Reporting the Middle East in America (CAMERA), which received more than $4 million in grants. CAMERA identifies itself as a media watchdog fighting anti-Israeli bias.
Another name was David Horowitz Freedom Center, which, according to CAIR, engages in media lobbying and anti-Muslim disinformation, and the American Freedom Defense Initiative, which is led by Pamela Geller. The AFDI is notorious for its "racist advertising campaigns."
Under scrutiny
The flow of funding in the nonprofit world has come under intense scrutiny in recent years.
CAIR, in a press release, called for tighter control on where donations can go, noting that the charitable community must establish clear policies to prevent money from going to hate groups and implement educational initiatives to help people understand the extent of intolerance against Muslims.
