By عباد ديرانية – Own work, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Members of Congress are pushing for the U.S. government to take action against campus organizations with ties to Hamas. Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith called on the IRS to revoke the tax-exempt status of several groups accused of links to terrorism, political violence, and antisemitic activity on college campuses. The request coincided with the anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel and follows earlier efforts urging the IRS to act against organizations suspected of supporting Hamas or fueling unrest.
Smith’s letter argues that tax-exempt groups must operate strictly within their stated purpose and raises concerns about entities that may be channeling resources toward Hamas or enabling antisemitic activism. The organizations cited include Americans for Justice in Palestine Educational Foundation, American Muslims for Palestine, Islamic Relief USA, Alliance for Global Justice, WESPAC Foundation, Tides Foundation, Peoples Media Project (The Palestine Chronicle), and The People’s Forum.
Senator Bill Cassidy, chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, launched an investigation into American Muslims for Palestine after reports that the group helped organize violent, antisemitic demonstrations on U.S. campuses.
He announced the inquiry during a hearing on campus antisemitism, noting that Students for Justice in Palestine chapters linked to AMP have been suspended or banned at multiple universities, and cited reports that at least nine individuals connected to AMP or its partner organization have past or present ties to Hamas.
Students for Justice in Palestine is an anti-Zionist student organization active on U.S. campuses and known for leading Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions campaigns. After Hamas’ October 7, 2023 terror attack, many SJP chapters held demonstrations praising Hamas and the killings of Israeli civilians, while participants harassed Jewish and pro-Israel students. SJP has also been linked to harassment of Jewish students, mock “apartheid walls” and “checkpoints,” eviction notices on dorm-room doors, and efforts to disrupt pro-Israel speakers.
Universities report that the group’s presence correlates with a more hostile climate for Jewish students, and research shows that nearly 75 percent of Jewish college students witnessed or experienced antisemitism during the current school year. Founded by Hatem Bazian, SJP operates nationwide and promotes BDS and anti-Israel activism.
Congressional reports and watchdog organizations describe SJP as closely connected to American Muslims for Palestine, which they identify as a successor to earlier Hamas-affiliated entities such as the Islamic Association for Palestine and the Holy Land Foundation. AMP denies these allegations, though several of its leaders previously worked within the Palestine Committee network.
Hamas supporters have operated in the United States since the 1980s. FBI wiretaps and internal Hamas documents introduced in federal cases revealed a nationwide network involved in fundraising, lobbying, education, and propaganda. In 1988, this network formalized itself as the Palestine Committee, which created several public-facing groups, including the Islamic Association for Palestine, the Occupied Land Fund (later the Holy Land Foundation), and the United Association for Studies and Research.
A 1993 FBI wiretap of Hamas activists in Philadelphia captured discussions on concealing ties to Hamas and avoiding terrorism designations. Despite later prosecutions and the shutdown of several front organizations, most notably the Holy Land Foundation—whose leaders received long prison sentences for sending over $12 million to Hamas—many core activists continued political support activities in the U.S.
Federal action also dismantled additional organizations tied to the original Hamas-support network, including the Islamic Association for Palestine and the United Association for Studies and Research. Since October 2023, multiple universities have suspended Students for Justice in Palestine.
Florida ordered state campuses to deactivate SJP chapters, and Brandeis University became the first private institution to ban the group. Columbia, George Washington, and Rutgers later issued their own suspensions, citing policy violations and threats to campus safety.
Cassidy has requested documents detailing AMP’s relationship with SJP, its operations on college campuses, and its connections to individuals involved with Hamas-linked organizations. He also sent similar requests to the Department of Justice, the FBI, and several universities.
His letter outlines allegations that AMP figures have worked with student demonstrators and supported Hamas-linked charities and describes how AMP has provided training, speakers, materials, and financial support to SJP chapters and national conferences for more than a decade.
Cassidy argues that campuses should support free speech but cannot allow organizations with alleged terrorist connections to influence students or incite conflict.
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