House leaders want investigation into US charity tied to Hamas operative
Pro-Palestinian news outlet, The Palestine Chronicle, is under fire from three House committees who are urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to launch an investigation into its activities. Representatives Jason Smith, James Comer, and Virginia Foxx have penned a joint memo to Attorney General Merrick Garland, expressing concerns that the outlet and its associated U.S. nonprofit may have violated several laws.
The letter to Garland specifically alleges that The Palestine Chronicle and People Media Project have provided material support to a known terrorist organization in violation of U.S. law. It also accuses them of filing false tax returns and failing to submit valid tax documentation and pay estimated taxes accordingly.
This call for investigation comes on the heels of a disturbing incident in which Israeli hostages taken by Hamas during a terror attack were discovered in the home of Abdallah Aljamal, a media contributor to The Palestine Chronicle and a spokesman for the Hamas-run Gaza Labor Ministry. Tragically, Aljamal lost his life during an IDF operation aimed at rescuing the hostages.
The lawmakers behind the memo have pointed out that Aljamal was initially listed as a ‘correspondent’ on The Palestine Chronicle’s website but was later reclassified as a ‘contributor’ once news broke of his involvement in the hostage situation. They have also raised concerns about ties between The Palestine Chronicle, People Media Project, and Iran, noting that the outlet’s founder, Ramzy Baroud, has connections to Iranian-funded media outlets.
According to federal law, individuals providing support or resources to foreign terrorist organizations can face severe penalties, including imprisonment for up to 20 years or life if their actions lead to the death of another person. The letter to Garland suggests that The Palestine Chronicle and People Media Project may be implicated in aiding Hamas, potentially serving as financiers of terrorism.
Furthermore, the House committees have accused People Media Project of misrepresenting its financial status on tax forms, prompting demands for an investigation into potential discrepancies in the group’s revenue over recent years.
Chairman Smith’s Ways & Means Committee initiated a separate investigation into The Palestine Chronicle and its associated nonprofit, advocating for the revocation of People Media Project’s tax-exempt status. Additionally, as of the most recent update, the nonprofit is facing a lawsuit from Almog Meir Jan, one of the Israeli hostages reportedly held at Abdallah Aljamal’s residence.
These developments underscore the growing scrutiny surrounding The Palestine Chronicle and its affiliates, raising pressing questions about their activities, associations, and compliance with U.S. laws. As the investigation unfolds, stakeholders will be closely monitoring the outcomes and potential repercussions for the entities in question.
