NY4Palestine Coalition confronts Schumer, tax-exempt settler organizations

The NY4Palestine Coalition demonstrated outside the offices of the “Friends of Ir David,” one of the notorious U.S.-based tax-exempt organizations funding the colonization of Palestine through illegal Jewish-only settlements, on Friday, July 2. The Friends of Ir David is especially involved in the Zionist project in Silwan, a Palestinian neighborhood in occupied Jerusalem; it is fundraising to forcibly displace over 1,500 Palestinians from their homes and lands in order to construct a religious theme park, the so-called “City of David,” atop their destroyed homes.

Despite the blatant illegality of their actions under international law, organizations like the Friends of Ir David continue to enjoy tax-exempt status in the United States, raising funds to further enable these colonial projects, on top of the $3.8 billion in direct aid given to the Israeli regime by the U.S. government every year. In New York, Attorney General Letitia James is responsible for regulating these organizations, yet they continue to enjoy tax-exempt status and free range to fundraise for violations of international law.

The NY4Palestine Coalition includes member organizations Al-Awda NY, the Palestine Right to Return Coalition; American Muslims for Palestine – New Jersey; Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network and Within Our Lifetime – United for Palestine. A strong contingent of the Neturei Karta, Orthodox Jews against Zionism, joined the demonstration. “It is right to rebel! Israel, go to hell!” “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” and “There is only one solution – Intifada, Revolution!” rang out through the Manhattan streets.

The protesters then marched to the office of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, demanding an end to U.S. aid to Israel and ongoing support for Israeli war crimes and crimes against humanity. “Senator Schumer must stop supporting and cheering on the Israeli government’s ongoing human rights violations against the Palestinian people. He needs to immediately and publicly demand the Israeli government stop committing these crimes…Not another nickel, not another dime, no more money for Zionist crimes!” demonstrators affirmed.