Pro-Palestinian group may have raised money for Hamas, broke donation laws: state AG

Pro-Palestinian group may have raised money for Hamas, broke donation laws: state AG

Virginia's top lawyer is opening an investigation into a Muslim charity, saying his office has "reason to believe" the group could be operating illegally and unlawfully benefiting terrorist organizations.

GOP Attorney General Jason Miyares announced he is opening a probe into AJP Educational Foundation, Inc., which does business under the name American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), a group that purports to educate the public on "how the people of Palestine have been living under occupation for decades."

"We believe once Americans know the truth that their tax dollars support the longest-lasting and the last military occupation in modern history they won’t stand for it and will demand that Congress change our foreign policy in the Middle East to one that is more balanced and just for everyone living in the Holy Land," the group's website states. 

Miyares says his office's Consumer Protection Section has reason to believe the organization, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, may be soliciting contributions in the commonwealth without first having registered with the commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

The AG will also investigate allegations the group may have used funds raised for illegal purposes under state law, including benefiting or providing support to terrorist organizations.

Those allegations stem from a decades-old legal battle against the group waged by Stanley and Joyce Boim, whose 17-year-old son David was killed by Hamas in 1996.