Congressman Protests Anti-Netanyahu Group's Receipt of State Dept. Funds

The sole Jewish Republican in Congress said he’s demanding answers from the State Department “as to why U.S. tax dollars are being sent to a nonprofit trying to overthrow the Israeli government as far as Netanyahu’s regime.”

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Jeremy Bird, who served as national field director for President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign, has reportedly been working in Israel to defeat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.) pointed out that One Voice, a 501(c)3 organization, has partnered with anti-Bibi campaign committee V15. “One Voice advertises on their website that they are partners with the State Department. They recently received two State Department grants. V15 and One Voice are talking about merging, the plan is for them to merge prior to the March 17 election,” Zeldin told Fox.

“And V15 has entered into a contract of political consultant firm called 270 strategies, which has over a dozen individuals who are in leadership positions for Obama’s re- election and original election including Jeremy Bird, who in 2012 was the national field director.”

Zeldin acknowledged that One Voice received money before the Israel election was called, but said “the second grant was recent.”

“They just received the second grant just a couple months ago. I think it was around November 2014. And they are advertising on their website that they are partners with the State Department,” he said. “They clearly are merging with V15 in their effort to oust the prime minister.”

The congressman said the tax-exempt status of the group — which bills itself as a “grassroots movement that amplifies the voice of mainstream Israelis and Palestinians, empowering them to propel their elected representatives toward the two-state solution” — needs to be questioned if they’re “engaging in political activities.”

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“A lot of people will be frustrated to see that their tax dollars are being used for this particular effort. We have a lot of great allies all across the entire world, but none more stronger than Israel,” Zeldin said. “Which is a beacon of freedom and democracy and liberty in a region filled with radical Islamic extremists and state-sponsored terrorism. So, you know, this president needs a refresher course on who our friends are and who our enemies are. He won’t meet with the prime minister when he’s coming to visit Washington. His minions are racing overseas to be able to organize an effort to topple Netanyahu.”

Zeldin said he believes the Obama-Netanyahu rift largely goes back to “last summer when Netanyahu decided enough was enough and he wanted to root out Hamas from Israel so his people could live in fear.”

“You know, instead of urging and supporting our strongest ally, the president was urging patience on the part of Israelis while praising Palestinian authority.”

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