Français
Español
English
Portuguese
Under the proposed legislation, any synagogue or Jewish organization found to have donated to qualifying charities could face fines of at least $1 million.
By Shula Rosen
Aber Kawas, the Palestinian-American winner of a New York State Senate Democratic primary, co-launched a campaign supporting legislation that would impose multimillion-dollar penalties on synagogues and nonprofits that donate to certain Israeli charities, including emergency response organizations ZAKA and United Hatzalah.
The “Not On Our Dime” campaign backs legislation that would allow civil lawsuits against religious corporations and nonprofit organizations providing financial support to charities operating in what the proposal describes as “occupied territory,” including Judea and Samaria and the Gaza Strip.
Under the proposed legislation, any synagogue or Jewish organization found to have donated to qualifying charities could face fines of at least $1 million.
The proposal also states that providing such financial support would constitute a violation of a charity’s nonprofit status, potentially exposing the organization to dissolution.
The campaign says the measure is intended to stop an estimated $60 million in annual funding from New York nonprofit organizations to Israeli settlements and related groups.
Kawas, the first Palestinian Muslim woman to win a major-party nomination for the New York State Senate, received strong backing from Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who originally introduced the legislation in the State Assembly.
Her campaign website accuses Israel of employing “strategies of genocide” in Judea and Samaria and Gaza and refers to what it describes as “egregious horrors” committed by Israel.
The website does not mention the Oct. 7 attack while discussing the number of Palestinians killed since October 2023.
Kawas’ primary victory follows a series of major primary wins by Mamdani as he seeks to reshape the Democratic Party into a democratic socialist force.
Supporters of the proposal say it is intended to halt funding connected to Israeli settlements and related organizations, while the bill outlines financial penalties and potential nonprofit consequences for organizations found to be in violation of its provisions.
Do You Love Israel? Make a Donation - Show Your Support!
Donate to vital charities that help protect Israeli citizens and inspire millions around the world to support Israel too!
Now more than ever, Israel needs your help to fight and win the war -- including on the battlefield of public opinion.
Antisemitism, anti-Israel bias and boycotts are out of control. Israel's enemies are inciting terror and violence against innocent Israelis and Jews around the world. Help us fight back!
