So why didn’t the fact that the American tax-exempt OneVoice used its funds to create the V15 political campaign effort gain traction, given that its admitted goal is to get rid of Netanyahu?
That should be at least one facet of the current bipartisan congressional investigation which was revealed by a leaked story to Fox News over the weekend.
And it should be the one the committee leads off with, because it is a no-brainer. The law is clear. Tax-exempt organizations cannot fund political campaigns. Here is the language:
all 501(c)(3)s are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign supporting or opposing any candidate for elective public office.
This means ANY amount of political activity is grounds for loss of tax-exempt status.
The prohibition applies to all campaigns: federal, state and local, and extends beyond candidate endorsements. Actions that clearly violate the prohibition include contributions to political campaign funds, and making verbal or written public statements by or on behalf of an organization that favors or opposes any candidate for public office.
Distributing statements prepared by others that favor or oppose any candidate for public office will also violate the prohibition.That means that V15 can’t declare innocence just because it’s against Netanyahu, rather than really being “for” Herzog, Livni or anyone else.
Finally, allowing a candidate to use an organization’s assets or facilities will also violate the prohibition if other candidates are not given an equivalent opportunity.
WHAT ABOUT US LAW APPLYING TO FOREIGN CAMPAIGNS?
Does the fact that the political campaign takes place outside of the U.S. mean this rule does not apply? The answer to that question is also clear: the restriction against lobbying and the prohibition against political activity on behalf of or in opposition to a candidate for elective public office (electioneering) applies with full force in a foreign context as well.
ABOUT THOSE STATE DEPARTMENT GRANTS…
But now let’s go back to the U.S. State Department grants to OneVoice, which the State Department spokespeople claimed were kosher because the grants expired prior to the official announcement of this recent Israeli election.
What were those grants for? The State Dept. tried to shrug off any accusations by flatly denying the grants were for elections, why, they were for promoting the “two state solution!”
Here is what everyone missed the first time around: according to IRS rulings, a tax-exempt organization cannot engage in efforts to influence or change laws of the U.S. or that of a foreign country.
Yet that is exactly what the State Dept. grants to OneVoice were for. During a State Dept. press briefing on Jan. 29, 2015, a journalist asked the State Dept. spokesperson Jen Psaki for what purpose was the $233,500 grant (its most recent one) to OneVoice. Psaki said the grant lasted from Sept. 23, 2013 until Nov. 30, 2014, and that it was funding “to support efforts to support a two-state solution.”
Really? Apparently the State Department forgot that under current Israeli law there is no such thing as the country of “Palestine.” Israeli law would have to be changed to recognize such an entity, if it ever were to come into existence. Those laws would include nearly everything connected to the current Israeli Civil Administration, as well as many laws dealing with Jerusalem.
So the U.S. government was using U.S. taxpayers’ money to fund an effort to influence, and hoping to formally change, the law in Israel to force a solution it favors!
We know the U.S. uses taxpayer funds to help influence changes in foreign nations with hostile governments, but attempting to change the law through its own interventions, using Americans’ money, to defeat the position of the democratically elected leader of that nation?
Lori, I wonder how long it took this group to obtain tax exempt status?
Long live Netanyahu
Lori, I just posted this article in my tax network on Linkedin (which moves over to Twitter under my business account (@WernerRocca). I'm doing my best to help this go viral!
Just for the record, it is not ‘US backed’, it is OBAMA BACKED. Most of the USA loves Israel.
Asymmetric attack on Israel by Sheikh Obama. The plaque for the alternates is down in the ladies room.
For the record, it is not 'US Orchestrated" anti-Bibi….. it is OBAMA Orchestrated anti-Bibi. The vast majority of Americans support and love Israel.
Love Israel and Bibi. Praying you win tomorrow!
Better late than never
http://bit.ly/1BKiKGj
http://wpo.st/ypn70
Bibi should've known that Obama's people would get rid of him working from a grass roots level. Only in Israel would this be allowed to happen. The most vicious antisemites don't want Bibi to win because they are afraid resumed negotiations with the Arabs will prevent their wish for the dismantling of the entire Jewish State. Under Herzog Israel will give away more land in exchange for increased Arab terror. I'm afraid that Herzog will also give up E. Jerusalem like it was a piece of salami.
When i look at the map why don’t the palestinians move into jordan makes sense to me.
Traitor of Mischief!
So what are the USA going to do about this? Obama and the rest of hi so called people should all be sent to jail. Bibi should be declared the PM of Israel and the other party should be sent to jail, as they had to know.
Awesome!!!!
UGLY,BUT TRUE.
history tells us that the Palestinians are Jordain refugees who were exiled from Jordan. they don’t want them. Arafat named them Palestinians because he did not want them in any way associated with Jordan.
VOTE BIBI
DO NOT USE OBAMA AGENDA , USE YOUR OWN BRAIN AND VOTE FOR BIBI
DISGUSTING.!
no
no
whoever said a jew can't be an anti-semite, have you ever heard of woody allen?
even if it is illegal for them to do this the election would be over before anything would/could be done.
…. it was obama ~ the muslim racist in the White House ~
Moving to Jordan would be logical.
Most of the us? No.
When I look at the map, why don’t the settlers move back to Europe? Makes the most sense to me.
that is to bad we don’t want them in Israel either.
Hope it bites them where they sit.
Very sad. Thought every Jew, Israeli-born and otherwise, would despise Obama's attempt to overthrow their government. Guess he counted on this.
If the Israeli want to give half of Jerusalem to the savage Palestinians, so be it. If they also want to give the Entire land known as Judea and Samaria, that is their problem. When the Arabs decide to exile you out of the State of Israel, please go elsewhere, not to the USA or any free country. Maybe you al should go back to Europe. there you will find another form of anti semitism.
Please consider Prof. Eugene Kontorovich on 242 here: http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/New-study-of-UN-Resolution-242-could-alter-views-of-Israeli-Arab-conflict-386436 as well as his other postings and videos. If you're open to reconsidering your 242 and 338 conclusions.
obama is a golem….very few Americans would behave as disgustingly and as underhandedly and as duplicitously as he does. He is loathsome.
To all Israeli voters-if you don't think Obama will pressure a new PM to either give up more land & even create a Palestinian State, think again. He is evil & has no use for Israel. He will have a strong hand in destroying a thriving Jewish culture just as he has destroyed American patriotism & culture. You know Netanyahu won't cave.
You're right. Then they will crawl back into their rat holes. Plus, no one will ever be charged by Obama's corrupt admin. They'll spin it or hide imp info.
Lois Lerner expedited the paperwork personally.
That was an illogical and farcical statement considering that it was neither the intent nor the content of the article. If the best you can do is build a straw doll and poke it with pins, do so, but don't embarrass yourself by giving utterance, Bruce Lindner…
5 minutes.
Every time Israel give land for peace, what do they get back? Rockets.
Obama studied Al Capone, that is why he is so ruthless!!
The Jewish Left is no friend of the State of Israel. So what's new???
Those PC fools think that embracing Hamas and Islamist supremacism makes them intellectually and morally superior to the defenders of the Nation. Be it Israel or America.
They came from Jordan
They came from Jordan
They came from Jordan
BIBI NETANYAHU. When it absolutely positively has to get there overnight. So… WHY FOOL AROUND WITH ANYONE ELSE?
Hope Obama his cronies & his administration get the first paralyzing bite!
Wow, that is utterly ridiculous.
How do I make a contribution to Mr. Netanyahu?
I agree, Long live BiBi Netanyahu!!!
I agree, Long live BiBi Netanyahu!!!
I agree, Long live BiBi Netanyahu!!!
BO is a gutter thug who was tutored at Columbia University by Edward Said, a profound antisemite.
Being Jew doesn't mean that anyone is friendly to Jews or Israel – it's proved so many times already. Quoting UN resolutions is another proof of who you really are – the enemy of Israel and, therefore, the enemy of Jewish nation. UN is the most anti-semitic organization in the world and you should be ashamed of even bringing their "resolutions" to this discussion. Many American Jews became so stupid in their fight with Israel, it makes us, the ones who still have the understanding of and love for the Jewish state full with rage and disbelief. I know that it's useless to try to make you see the reality, but let me tell you, sir, that I'm ashamed of being in the same group with you and your friends.
@ Bruce: Screw the UN! They no more trump Israeli law than they do US law. "Label" them as criminals???? I'd say the shoe fits. Bibi has shown himself to be the leader of the free world… shame on you.
I'd like to get a hold of her…
UN Resolutions don't count.
EXACTLY, Jackee!! <3 We the people of the United States of America pray for #Bibi, #Likud and #Israel – #Netanyahu – the leader of the free world!
Michael D Wiley Not so ridiculous
If one voice is in Israel, is it possible to make them pay taxes in the U.S. for the contributions they received from the state department and other Americans
It's Obamas anti-"colonialism" attitude that rubs off on his followers, that makes Jews hate Israel, and the left in America to hate traditional American values. He is a sick man, and his followers are too feeble-minded to see it.
Vote Bibi he will protect Istael he has proved that
?????????
i live here….loving Israel…
God will have the says on who will WIN for God will will be done.for his Chosen People…Bibi I Pray for Victory for you tomorrow.
Our land is from river to river , and if anyone think otherwise, he could be expandable))) I AM THE MOST SUPREME COMMANDER OF ALL ORDERS, and for all KNIGHTS, M.S.C.B.A. 33º 66º 99º ., AF & AM, NE PLUS ULTRA., · Holon, Israel,
I hope mr bird goes before a court of law for money laiundring
Golly! I bet your keyboard is impressed.
Thanks for this well-written article (no place seems too low for these dirty skunks, like Bird, to go). I believe most Americans, despite what the dishonest Obama liberals want to say, do truly love beautiful, strong, and free Israel!! Also, Bibi did a fabulous job speaking at the US Congress!!!
BO is a gang banger and could never deal with Mr. Netanyahu like a MAN. Typical gangster/gangbanger.
Yes most of us.
It's really disgusting when a department of our government is actively supporting an organization that is working to take down the leader of one of our closest allies. And, what ever happened to investigating journalism in this country?
I hope it brings them down. Go BiBi
Obummer is really pushing to oust BIBI and give Iran nukes.if this all happens this world is going to
The Two State Solution has been the stated goal of Israel for decades. Until a day ago, anyway.
Saul Alinsky thugs organized to overthrow democratically elected government& propagandize.
no, you didn't. We all saw there were IRS implications early on, as did you. There is new material in the article, if you just read it.
I sure hope so!
I sure hope so!
There are not going to be any arrests or prosecutions over this…as long as the 'divine' Obama[SARCASM intended…I don't think O is divine] and his administration are in office. It is Obama's attorney general who would be in charge of any hypothetical prosecution; so it WON'T happen.
Great article
Great article
The media has been bought off a long time ago.
Better he should take a wrong turn deep into Gaza….
Obama is a traitor.
1. For releasing 8 Taliban terrorists, 5 in exchange for one deserter, Bowe Bergdahl, without giving congress the 30 day notice he is required to give.
2. In violation of law for the President or any American to reveal classified military secrets. Obama exposed the identity and method of operation of the Navy SEALs team that conducted the operation killing of Osama bin Laden. 22 SEALs were shot down and killed in Afghanistan.
3. Operation Fast & Furious which put thousands of American-made semi-automatic weapons in the hands of Mexican drug cartels and resulted in at least one death, U.S. Border Patrol Agent, Brian Terry. Investigators suspect that Fast & Furious was an effort by the Obama Administration to discredit lawful gun ownership in America by purposefully creating gun crimes.
4. The Obama administration lied to cover-up for terrorists in Libya. Who gave the stand down order?
5. Obama sold 11 billion in weapons and military equipment to Qatar who is known to support terrorists.
6. Obama funded the terrorist group Hamas.
7. Obama waves ban on arming terrorists, and arms terrorists.
8. The Obama administration recruits terrorists.
9. Obama allows terrorists to immigrate to the United States.
10. Egypt charged Obama with crimes against humanity for supporting the Muslim Brotherhood.
I support Naftali Bennett as the next Prime Minister of Israel, but I like Benjamin Netanyahu as well, however I disagreed with Netanyahu about a two state solution creating a Palestinian state. This is really a three state solution since there is already the Arab-Palestinian state of Jordan, and the Jewish-Palestinian state of Israel, we don’t need the terrorist state of Palestine.
I don't think there is a solution to this conflict, and I don't see anyone killing anyone as a solution. But Naftali Bennett's plan may be the best path for a solution some time in the future.
Area C of Judea and Samaria has 300,000 Jews and 55,000 Arabs, only 4% of the Palestinian population. Israel was recognized as having full jurisdiction over Area C of Judea and Samaria by the Oslo II Accord. Israel should give citizenship to the Palestinians that live in Area C, and Area C should be recognized as Israel proper. In Area A, such as the Gaza strip, Israel completely withdrew from and has self-governance, and Area B is under joint Israeli and Palestinian governance.
Allowing the free flow of food and humanitarian supplies to areas A and B, and showing the people in Gaza and Judea and Samaria that their life's will be better if they work with Israel and not Hamas, trust can be built and a final peace agreement can be made in direct negotiations.
It has been the policy of Israel to support two state solution since the first 1937 partition talks with the British. To suggest that by supporting the Two State Solution, the stated aim of Israelis and Jewish leaders for nearly 80 years, this group is somehow attempting to "change their laws" is ludicrous. The US government spends millions every year giving money to both sides in support of a two state solution. This organization is simply supporting the long-standing policies of Israel, the US and the UN: A two state solution.
By this logic, any charity that supports a Middle East Peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians would be illegal.
Robbie Goldstein George Soros bought them. He is a traitor to his Jewish roots. Evil man. Just follow the money and you will find how many in the media and politicians are in his back pocket.
He simply doesn’t want to allow chaos to grow !
Good like to see obama defeated
1. Hardly an act of treason
2. The President has the power to declassify anything he/she wants to at any time.
3. Fast and Furious was part of "Operation Gunrunner" which was started in 2006 by the Bush Administration. Why impeach Barry over Bush's mistake?
4. the Republican controlled House Committees have all, unanimously, said that there was no stand down order.
5. Qatar is an important ally of the US
6 Hamas is the democratically elected government of the Gaza Strip. They shouldn't be, but the Bush administration pushed the Israelis into having the election in the first place. And we officially support the two state solution and the Palestinian Authority, part of which, due to the USA's stupidity, is Hamas.
7. He had to waive the ban to fund Syrian rebels, which was supported in a greatly bipartisan fashion.
8 and 9. What ARE you talking about?
10. Who the Hell cares??
Dee Gravink I care. This president doesnt represent me in any way. I am completely against EVERYTHING he stands for. I might find it a little tolerable if he followed the law in his actions, but he doesnt. And lets not forget the lives that have been lost and will be lost in the future because of his support for terrorist entities such as Iran, Hamas, The muslim brotherhood etc.
Dee Gravink I apologize to the Jewish Press readers for the ignorance of such Americans as this.
if G-d wanted a 2 state it would have already happen, they can keep on trying and even if they would win, regardless G-d has something very special waiting for them…guess who is going to have the last laugh…..
V15 is no match to God Almighty.
Jordan is the 2nd state in the 2 state solution
It should be called the one state one terrorist state solution…you can pick depending on who you are. Israel is an inclusive government.Women Gays and children are treated Equal..The other not.
The battle is the LORD's. G-d Bless Israel & G-d Bless Bibi!
Dee – How can there be a two state solution when the STATED AIM of the Palestinians is… there can be no 2 state solution…only the annihilation of Israel?
Here is a thought these days corruption passes as diplomacy.
Seems like the UN and sometimes the US are for the three state solution. So Netanyahu is right about his two state solution. Everybody knows that there will not be a second filistin state. For the simple reason is that there is no need for that. 1937 is not an important date (the Peel ) the arabs did not agree with it. As they have never agreed with any plan UN or US. The only plan they would agree is the elimination of the Jewish Israel.
A 2/3 majority in both chambers of CONGRESS is required for ALL treaties . Obama is making a deal with Iran but it is kept a secret. And if he thinks he can declare any treaty himself alone in secret it is not valid and is technically impeachable. There is no such thing as a treaty issued under exec order.
what palestine are they ranting about?
I can't believe the fear and ignorance I'm reading on this site. Any opinions contrary to the right-wing perspective are characterized as "weak," "anti-Semitic," or as "Israel haters." Breaking news hevre, the left—both here AND in Israel—want a strong, secure Israel too, but we want to see it backed by a stabile peace process within the region, something other than the neo-fascist fear tactics and irrational tribal bluster displayed herein. Try thinking for yourselves for once, rather than parroting some warmongering propagandist to frame your position for you.
Bruce, Bruce, Bruce, the IRS attacked conservative groups for no reason, now there is a real tax-exempt group butting into elections and you don't want them examined. Let's have light on all wrong doing by political groups.
Is Bruce a paid troll? Or just repetitious?
Dee Gravink I got to #3 and stopped reading your blather. Research much? Operation Gunner was NOTHING like Fast and Furious…OG was a tracking operation. F&F did NOT track. BIG DIFFERENCE! Holder put a lot of guns in the hands of criminals to what end? Your statement is a flat out lie.
Neither. I'm just offering something you're unaccustomed to: the TRUTH. Scary, isn't it?
CHILL – Bruce is the type who will compliantly march into the ovens of his enemies!
And there it is. ☝️
Dee Gravink Lay off the kool~aid.
Bruce, now you know what's it's like to be an atheist in the Bible Belt. Welcome to my world. 😉
Bruce Lindner There's no truth like commie truth….
According to US laws – the illegal use of government funds is a felony punishable by jail and fines up to three times the amount of money that was defrauded for the person and/or persons responsible for the fraud.
Wrong – it hasn't been at all. Not even Rabin supported that stupid idea.
The Islamofascist invaders need to be deported
Incredible. And I thought the US was the only one with conservative nut jobs. And yes, I am a troll.
I HAVE NO RESPECT FOR ANY ONE IN AMERICA THAT WILL STOOP SO LOW AS TO TRY AND OUST ANOTHER COUNTRY'S PRIME MINSTER. .
Hope a one state, a Palestinian state, comes o pass soon. With folks like Netanyahoo working so hard, it will happen sooner than latter.
Really? so, boner was just being friendly to bibi?
I have know for a long time that both Israel and the US have waco libtard socialist trolls that follow any anti-American anti-Israel demagogue like B.Hussein and his acolytes. That you are one Christine Cooper Temple.
Right! The sooner we can have the 'end times', the better?
Christine Cooper Temple you really have no idea why Netanyahu was invited here do you?
Creflo Dollar wants you to buy him a jet. You could waste your money there.
That's why no major network broadcast it, including Faux News. [sarcasm] And before someone calls the media liberal, you need an update.
No one is more ignorant than you, Bruce ! All you radical DemonRats think you are intelligent. Just like teen agers think.
Bruce, you realize that making a deal with Iran opens the door for any country in the region to nuclearize. And since when did any country in the region ever live by the deal they signed? You dont make deals with terrorists. This is completely a Valerie Jarret deal for her home country.
He will make the treaty thru the UN, it carries no weight here, but there…. who knows
Bruce you're an idiot that can't spell. Tell me of one war Bibi started moron. The left in America seek to embolden the war mongers in Iran. period. You have no clue period.
p.s. anyone that wants to give Iran nukes is anti American and anti Israeli. you're a typical no nothing libtard from Oregon/California.
Karen Pritchett the only groups under IRS investigation that were ultimately denied tax-free status were leftist. Pay attention.
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