Attorney General Alan Wilson requests financial documents from non-profits potentially linked to support of Hamas

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – Attorney General Alan Wilson is taking steps to make sure non-profit groups in South Carolina are not supporting terrorist organizations. Today, he sent letters to The Hope Foundation of Palestine, Islamic Relief USA, Carolina Peace Resource Center, Islamic Circle of North America Relief, Council on American-Islamic Relations, and Heal Palestine, which all represent themselves as charitable organizations with activity in South Carolina and are registered as nonprofits with the South Carolina Secretary of State.

“Since October 7, 2023, we have seen a disturbing amount of support for Hamas and affiliated terrorist organizations,” Attorney General Wilson said. “The attack against Israel at the Nova festival was the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust.”

These letters seek documents and information from these organizations concerning their operations within the state, including board members, meeting agendas, financial activities, contributions, solicitation policies, events, and media activity. All these organizations have reportedly been associated with terror-linked groups.

According to S.C. Code section 33-31-171, “the Attorney General may make investigations into the organization, conduct, and management of a nonprofit organization operating in this State.” The Attorney General may deem an investigation necessary “to show that the corporation has been, or is, engaged in acts or conduct in violation of its charter rights and privileges or in violation of any law of this State.”

“We have been steadfast in our support of Israel as it defends itself,” Attorney General Wilson continued. “Rooting out terrorism is a matter of great urgency, and any support of terrorism within our borders must be stopped.”

 *Due to S.C. Code section 33-31-173, any responses received by the Attorney General’s Office cannot be publicly released. Any further legal action would be reflected in future public court filings if those occur. Additionally, in sending these letters, the Attorney General’s Office does not purport to make any formal findings or determinations regarding the relationship between these organizations and any foreign entities.