Stefanik, Cotton Urge Treasury Department To Probe CAIR for 'Financial Links to Hamas'

Republican representatives Elise Stefanik and Tom Cotton have requested a Treasury Department investigation into the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) for potential financial connections to Hamas. They emphasize CAIR's historical ties to Hamas and recent statements from its leaders as reasons for their concern.

• Letters to Treasury Secretary: The request was formally sent to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, highlighting a perceived pattern of support from CAIR toward Hamas, which they claim could be classified as "material support for terrorism. "

• Historical Context: Stefanik and Cotton reference CAIR's designation as an unindicted co-conspirator in a federal case against a Hamas-related organization, the Holy Land Foundation.

• Controversial Statements: They mention CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad's praise for Hamas's actions against Israel, particularly after the October 7 terrorist attacks, as a significant concern.

• Financial Transparency: The investigation could potentially reveal CAIR's foreign funding sources, which the group has kept secret. CAIR does not disclose its donors publicly.

• Previous Scrutiny: Cotton has previously asked the IRS to look into CAIR's tax-exempt status due to its alleged terrorist connections and has raised concerns about a CAIR initiative in Philadelphia public schools that addresses Jewish political power.

• Partisan Viewpoints: While CAIR faces scrutiny from Republicans, it retains support from many Democrats in Washington. This dichotomy illustrates the ongoing political contention surrounding CAIR and its activities.

• Bipartisan Reactions: Recent comments from the Biden administration criticized CAIR's leaders for anti-Semitic remarks, demonstrating a complex relationship between CAIR and political figures across the spectrum.

The request for an investigation into CAIR's finances and links to Hamas is part of a broader effort by some Republicans to examine organizations they believe support terrorism. The outcome of this request could impact how CAIR operates and its relationships with political entities moving forward. 

https://freebeacon.com/israel/exclusive-stefanik-cotton-urge-treasury-department-to-probe-cair-for-financial-links-to-hamas/