“The U.S. has Become One of the Largest Financiers of Global Islamism” - Middle East Forum Report
Middle East Forum revealed that USAID and the State Department approved $164 million in grants to radical organizations, with at least $122 million directed to groups linked to terror groups
When we talk about terrorism funding, Iran and Qatar often take the spotlight for their support of extremist groups. However, according to a recent Multi-year study from Middle Easter Forum, in recent decades, the U.S. has quietly become one of the largest funders of global Islamism, channeling billions of taxpayer dollars through its foreign aid programs. Investigations have shown that they frequently end up supporting groups tied to terrorism, with little accountability or oversight. The State Department and USAID have knowingly funded terrorists and their proxies with hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars.
Over the years, the U.S. government has become one of the largest financial backers of global Islamism, with federal funds flowing to Islamist organizations both domestically and abroad. Violent extremists have thrived under U.S. aid programs, often with the agencies’ knowledge. Despite warnings from internal records and watchdogs, little has been done to address this.
A recent investigation by the Middle East Forum revealed that
$164 million in federal grants: The Middle East Forum's study uncovered that USAID and the State Department approved $164 million in grants to radical organizations, with at least $122 million directed to groups linked to designated terrorists.
Lack of vetting: Billions of taxpayer dollars have been given to major American aid charities that consistently fail to vet their local partners, many of which have links to terrorism.
Hamas funding: USAID has funneled millions directly to organizations in Gaza controlled by Hamas, with U.S. officials even visiting terror proxies' offices and launching joint programs.
Incitement of violence: USAID beneficiaries have called for "cleansing" lands of Jews, with some charity staff openly praising and encouraging violence against Jews.
State Department funding radicals: The State Department has provided funds to radical domestic groups like the Tides Foundation, accused of supporting pro-Hamas, anti-Jewish violence on U.S. college campuses.
Complicit charities: Aid organizations such as World Vision, Catholic Relief Services, and advocacy groups like InterAction have acted as vehicles for terror-tied Islamists, knowingly or unknowingly, both in the U.S. and abroad.
Domestic Islamist funding: Federal funding has subsidized domestic Islamists involved with Hamas, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the Turkish regime, undermining rules designed to combat terror finance in the U.S.
Lack of transparency: Records of federal funding, especially through USAID, are obscured by poor disclosure practices and deliberate attempts to evade transparency, with millions going to anonymous beneficiaries in terrorist-affected regions.
Internal concerns at USAID: USAID’s Office of Inspector General has raised alarms about the agency’s failure to properly vet recipients for links to violent extremism and the risk of abuse by armed groups. If USAID merges with the State Department, it is crucial that these concerns are not lost.
On February 26, 2025 – at the invitation of Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform’s Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency (DOGE), Gregg Roman, executive director of the Middle East Forum (MEF), called on Congress to launch a criminal investigation of federal officials and charity leaders who knowingly dispensed foreign aid to terror-linked organizations. Following Mr. Roman’s testimony, Rep. Greene pledged to consider filing “criminal referrals” to the Department of Justice.
A notable example is Jeremy Konyndyk, a former USAID official, who was involved in directing $125,000 to the Islamic Relief Agency, a Sudanese terrorist group linked to Osama bin Laden. This was revealed by the Middle East Forum in 2017, highlighting U.S. officials facilitating funds to extremists.
Jeremy Weinstein, deputy ambassador to the United Nations under U.N. Ambassador Samantha Powers (later the USAID head under the Biden administration), emailed the director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control in the Treasury Department, requesting Treasury circumvent the usual rules and “review” Islamic Relief Agency’s terrorist designation “without a formal request.”
On May 7, 2015, the license was granted, and USAID began “a one-time transfer of approximately $125,000 to ISRA.”
USAID’s use of "miscellaneous foreign awardees" further complicates accountability, with almost 2,000 grants totaling over $29 billion in this category over 18 years. In November, it was revealed that $9 million in USAID funds ended up with armed groups, including Al-Nusra Front, affiliated with al-Qaeda. This highlights the need for better oversight to ensure U.S. aid doesn’t support terrorism. According to NGO Monitor, in 2024 alone, $200 million were awarded to "miscellaneous foreign awardees" in Gaza and the West Bank.
This systemic failure is fueled by a mix of terror-linked groups and complacent officials. Years of investigation by the Middle East Forum have exposed a vast financial network supporting extremists and terror organizations.
Bayader Association
Since 2016, USAID has given over $900,000 to the Gaza-based Bayader Association, a group linked to Hamas.
The most recent grant was issued just six days before Hamas's October 7 attack.
Bayader openly collaborates with Hamas, hosts events with its leaders, and promotes itself through Hamas media while highlighting U.S. funding.
Bayader officials support terrorism, including the financial director mourning a Palestinian Islamic Jihad commander as a “brother and friend.”
Despite this, USAID funds Bayader through major U.S. nonprofits such as Catholic Relief Services and Global Communities.
USAID officials have visited Bayader’s offices, praised its work, and accepted awards from the terror-linked group.
American Near East Refugee Agency (ANERA)
Hamas Links: ANERA has partnered with Hamas-affiliated groups, such as the Bayader Association and Unlimited Friends Association, both involved in supporting Hamas’ activities.
USAID Funding: ANERA has received tens of millions of dollars from USAID, including a $12.5 million grant in 2024, despite allegations of extremist ties.
Extremist Staff: ANERA staff, including Mousa Shawwa and Ibrahim Zanoun, have expressed support for anti-Semitic violence and Hamas, promoting dangerous ideologies online.
IUG Funding: ANERA funded projects at the Islamic University of Gaza, a key Hamas institution, including raising $900,000 for IUG.
Lack of Oversight: USAID’s Inspector General found serious vetting failures in ANERA’s operations, especially related to its ties with Hamas and other terrorist groups.
Violent Advocacy: ANERA staff members, such as Naser Qadous and Mohamed Alsayed, publicly supported Hamas’ actions, including praising the October 7 attacks.
Unlimited Friends Association (UFA)
USAID funded UFA: In August 2022, USAID celebrated the construction of a USAID-funded educational and community center built by Anera for the Unlimited Friends Association (UFA) in Gaza.
UFA’s ties to Hamas: UFA has close links with Hamas, promoting anti-Semitic rhetoric and hosting events that support the families of “martyrs and prisoners” involved in violent resistance.
Financial support for "martyrs" families: UFA distributes cash through its “Orphan Sponsorship Program,” providing financial aid to the children of individuals killed while resisting Israeli actions.
Collaboration with Hamas leaders: UFA openly collaborates with Hamas leaders, hosting figures like Mustafa Sawwaf and Mohamed Abu-Shkian, who have made extreme anti-Israel statements.
Promoting anti-Semitic rhetoric: UFA has published hateful content, such as calling for the expulsion of Jews from Al-Aqsa, and continues to express anti-Jewish sentiments on social media.
Anera’s claims vs. reality: Anera, which oversees the construction of UFA’s center, claims it ensures donations do not reach Hamas, yet its staff have been associated with anti-Semitic rhetoric, raising concerns about funding links to Hamas.
Islamic Relief
Islamic Relief's ties to the Muslim Brotherhood: Islamic Relief was founded by prominent members of the Muslim Brotherhood and continues to be run by Islamist activists. It has been banned and blacklisted in multiple countries due to its connections to terrorism.
USAID funding: Despite its connections to terrorism, USAID approved $2 million in funding for two branches of Islamic Relief, further raising concerns over U.S. taxpayer dollars supporting terror-linked organizations.
Partnership with Hamas: Islamic Relief has repeatedly partnered with Hamas leaders, including Ghazi Hamad, and funded projects in Gaza in collaboration with Hamas-controlled entities, contradicting its denials of connections to terrorist organizations.
Radical rhetoric and support for terrorism: Islamic Relief officials have expressed extremist views, including praising violent jihad, supporting Hamas, and inciting violence against Jews.
Global concerns and government warnings: Multiple governments, including the U.S. State Department and the German government, have raised concerns about Islamic Relief’s ties to the Muslim Brotherhood and its support for terrorism, leading to blacklisting and funding bans.
U.S. government connections: Despite the blacklisting of some branches under the Trump administration, USAID and U.S. embassies have continued to support and promote the work of Islamic Relief, further complicating efforts to address its extremist ties.
Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD)
Ties to Jamaat-e-Islami and Lashkar-e-Taiba: Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD) is the overseas arm of the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), connected to Jamaat-e-Islami. HHRD has organized conferences with the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba in Pakistan.
Funding to Hamas: HHRD’s partner, Al-Khidmat Foundation, has boasted of sending funds to Hamas. In 2006, it presented a cheque to Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal for their "Jihad."
Extremist Connections: ICNA, HHRD’s parent, has links to Hamas, Hizballah, and other terror groups. Its websites promote connections to these organizations.
Violent Rhetoric at ICNA Conferences: ICNA conferences have hosted speakers advocating violence against Jews, including senior Hamas member Muhammad Siyam, who called for the extermination of Israelis in 1990.
Partnership with Hamas-linked Groups in Gaza: In Gaza, HHRD partners with the Hamas-aligned Unlimited Friends Association, strengthening ties with terrorist organizations.
Investigations and Congressional Scrutiny: HHRD’s terrorism links have led to congressional inquiries and USAID investigations, highlighting its problematic affiliations.
The Islamic Relief Agency (ISRA)
In 2014, USAID awarded $723,405 to World Vision Inc., which allocated $200,000 to the Islamic Relief Agency (ISRA), a group designated as a terror-financing organization by the U.S. in 2004.
ISRA had ties to Osama bin Laden’s group, Maktab al-Khidamat, and raised funds for al-Qaeda and Hamas. It was also involved in relocating bin Laden and raising funds earmarked for Hamas suicide bombings.
The U.S. Treasury found that ISRA’s U.S. branch, Islamic American Relief Agency (IARA-USA), illegally transferred over $1.2 million to Iraqi insurgents and other terror groups, including Gulbuddin Hekmatyar's network.
World Vision and USAID likely knew about ISRA's terror ties, as IARA-USA’s executive director and a board member pleaded guilty to charges in 2010, with the plea listed on USAID’s website.
In 2015, World Vision sought a special license from the U.S. Treasury to pay ISRA for “work performed,” despite ISRA's terror designation, pressuring officials to bypass regulations.
Despite the scandal, World Vision continued working with ISRA, and USAID continued funding the charity, which had received almost $2 billion in grants since 2008, including $200 million in 2024.
Mercy-USA for Aid and Development
Mercy-USA for Aid and Development has received at least $7 million in grants from USAID, according to available data.
USAID’s financial support to the charity has continued despite its radical ties and involvement with terrorist-linked individuals and organizations.
Mercy-USA’s funding from USAID has included grants for its operations, particularly in Gaza, where it is a major partner of UNRWA.
Despite the charity's controversial connections, including ties to Al-Qaeda and Hamas, USAID has provided ongoing financial support.
The scale of USAID’s investment in Mercy-USA highlights the lack of proper vetting and scrutiny over charitable organizations with potential terrorist affiliations.
Mercy-USA's funding from USAID is part of a broader pattern of financial assistance to organizations with radical associations, with millions of taxpayer dollars involved.
Muslim Aid
In 2013, USAID authorized the transfer of over $1.5 million to Muslim Aid through a sub-grant by ACDI/VOCA.
Muslim Aid has received tens of millions of pounds in revenue annually, making it one of the largest Islamic charities globally, despite its controversial affiliations.
The charity's funding included grants from USAID, including the $1.5 million sub-grant, despite its links to Jamaat-e-Islami, a violent South Asian Islamist movement.
In addition to the $1.5 million USAID grant, Muslim Aid has been involved in financing organizations connected to terrorist groups like Hamas.
Muslim Aid's branches in various countries, including Pakistan and Australia, have been linked to terrorism, raising concerns about its financial management and activities.
Despite the ongoing scrutiny, Muslim Aid continues to receive financial support, highlighting a significant gap in vetting for terrorist connections in charity funding.
Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF)
Holy Land Foundation Connection: The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF) has been previously linked to the Holy Land Foundation, which was convicted by the U.S. government in 2008 for providing material support to Hamas, a designated foreign terrorist organization.
USAID Funding: In 2016, PCRF received a sub-grant of $90,000 from USAID through Catholic Relief Services, despite its controversial connections to terrorist organizations.
Terrorist Group Support: PCRF has been linked to Hamas and other terrorist groups, including receiving funds from Hamas-linked entities and being mentioned in relation to Islamic Jihad.
Collaborations with Hamas-Linked Organizations: PCRF operates in Gaza in cooperation with organizations directly tied to Hamas, such as the Eastern Association for Agriculture and Development, which has been involved in protests against Israel and operates with Hamas government officials.
Al-Rantisi Children’s Hospital: PCRF runs the pediatric cancer unit inside Al-Rantisi Children’s Hospital, which was allegedly found by the Israeli military to house Hamas command centers and weapon caches during conflict.
Social Media Propaganda: PCRF’s Palestinian territories coordinator has been linked to controversial online content, including images glorifying violence against Israel, raising concerns about its alignment with jihadist rhetoric.
According to NGO Monitor, one PCRF official ran a website that openly glorified jihad. NGO Monitor also notes that the Facebook profile picture of PCRF’s “coordinator” in the Palestinian territories features a “photoshopped image of a soldier stomping the beheaded head of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and in the background a picture of a boy raising the flag of Palestine at the Dome of the Rock.”
READ Foundation
Jamaat-e-Islami Network: The Rural Education and Development (READ) Foundation is part of a vast network of charities controlled by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), a violent South Asian Islamist movement, operating in South Asia, Europe, and North America.
USAID Funding: The READ Foundation has received at least $600,000 from USAID and the U.S. State Department, funneled through intermediaries, to support its schools.
Promoting Extremism: READ schools encourage students to praise extremists, including Mumtaz Qadri, a murderer who killed a Pakistani governor. Social media posts by the foundation glorify his actions.
JI Connections: READ is linked to JI-controlled sister organizations such as the Al Khidmat Foundation, which has financially supported Hamas with $100,000 for their "just Jihad."
Hizbul Mujahideen Ties: Officials from READ’s sister organizations work closely with Syed Salahuddin, leader of Hizbul Mujahideen, a designated terrorist group by the U.S. government.
Extremist Content in Schools: READ Foundation schools have published social media posts condemning the U.S. and Iran, and some schools promote violent imagery, including children reenacting gun battles.
Tides Foundation
Funding Radical Groups: The Tides Foundation provides financial backing to organizations linked to Hamas and the PFLP, acting as a fiscal sponsor to these groups.
$217,000 from the U.S. State Department: In 2022, the Tides Foundation received over $217,000 from the U.S. State Department for a project in Tunisia.
Support for Samidoun: The Tides Foundation funded the fiscal sponsor of Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, a group sanctioned by the U.S. for funding terrorists.
Bankrolling Campus Protests: Tides Foundation is a major financial supporter of groups responsible for organizing antisemitic protests on college campuses, particularly after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks.
Push for Revocation of Tax-Exempt Status: In 2024, Representative Jason Smith pushed for the IRS to revoke Tides Foundation’s tax-exempt status, citing its funding of groups involved in inciting riots and antisemitic activity.
Large-Scale Influence: Tides Foundation has been reported as one of the largest funders of several organizations that have been accused of antisemitism and connections to terrorist groups.
InterAction
InterAction's Size and Influence: Founded in 1984, InterAction is the largest alliance of international NGOs, with over 180 member groups, but some are tied to criminal or terrorist activity.
Taxpayer Funding: InterAction receives millions in taxpayer-funded grants, including $2.6 million in 2024 and over $3.7 million in government grants in 2023, including from USAID and the State Department.
The Together Project: Launched in 2017, the Together Project brings together extremist-linked Islamist charities under the InterAction banner, potentially undermining terrorism-finance laws and promoting anti-Semitic ideologies.
Terrorist-Linked Charities: The Together Project includes charities with direct links to terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Al-Qaeda, including Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD) and Islamic Relief.
Lobbying Against Legislation: InterAction lobbies Congress to weaken terrorism-finance laws, protect its member charities, and shield them from investigations into their extremist connections.
Disinformation and Narrative Control: InterAction's Together Project promotes alternative narratives to deflect negative press and distract from allegations of terrorism financing and extremism.
U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs
U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs is part of the State Department and plays a key role in coordinating U.S. involvement with Palestinian issues.
The office has been criticized for facilitating indirect support to radical groups and proxies, particularly in Gaza.
Fares Al-Arab Foundation, a Gaza-based charity, has received at least $81,000 from the State Department, though the true amount is likely higher due to inconsistent reporting.
The Fares Foundation has been involved in numerous projects and funding arrangements with U.S. government activities in Gaza.
Mohammed Jaber, a graduate of State Department programs, is tied to several radical charities in Gaza, including Heroic Hearts and the Reach Education Fund.
Heroic Hearts promotes radical Hamas figures and content, while Reach Education Fund has been associated with pro-Hamas rhetoric and individuals with extremist views.
These organizations often have ties to Hamas, with some figures expressing support for Nazi ideology and praising Hamas attacks.
The funding and relationships between U.S. programs and these organizations create a complicated network, making it difficult to fully track and understand U.S. support to radical groups in Gaza.
USAID Funneled Over $2.3 Billion Into Gaza Between October 7th, 2023, And November 2024 Alone
Between October 7th, 2023, and November 2024, the U.S. government poured over $2.3 billion into Gaza under the guise of "humanitarian aid." But here’s the staggering truth: how much of that money was funneled straight into the hands of Hamas?
Treason?
Suicidal empathy or purposeful subvention?