Politics

Biden Admin To Shell Out $100,000 To Palestinian Groups Advancing ‘Diversity, Equity And Inclusion’

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The State Department is offering a new $100,000 grant for Palestinian nonprofits to promote principles of “diversity, equity and inclusion” in building Palestinian institutions.

The State Department’s Office of Palestinian Affairs (OPA) announced the “American Palestinian Arts, Culture, and Sports Initiative” grant on May 3, offering $100,000 to applicable Palestinian nonprofits that can strengthen Palestinian institutions and further Palestinian economic prosperity in accordance with the OPA’s mission. The grant, first reported by The Washington Free Beacon, will go to “American and/or Palestinian non-profit organizations” to help create “equitable and inclusive economic opportunities,” and projects will receive “special consideration” if they advance “diversity, equity” and inclusion.”

Multiple agencies under the Biden administration have been implicated in providing support to schools and nonprofits in the West Bank and Gaza that glorify Palestinian terrorism and anti-Israel rhetoric.

“Activities may include joint performances, productions, exhibits, workshops, tournaments, trainings, and other projects/works among other ideas,” the grant reads.

One of the program’s objectives is to “promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, environmental protection, human rights, and/or a strong civil society via arts, culture, and/or sports activities and exchange.”

Applications close on Jun. 4, and the department expects to award two groups, according to the grant. The grant’s program description also explains that building “equitable and inclusive economic opportunities” in the West Bank and Gaza is a top priority for the department.

U.S. funding has recently been tied to several groups with leaders that have been known to support and sympathize with Palestinian terrorists. One all-girls school funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) held a ceremony for a terrorist that killed seven Israelis, calling him a martyr and a “hero.”

A recent report from NGO Monitor found multiple Palestinian nonprofits whose employees have been pictured with leaders from prominent terrorist groups and post pro-terrorism rhetoric on social media. The State Department also sent $38,000 in 2022 to a group working to remove Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from office.

Recently, Republican Sen. Bill Hagerty of Tennessee asked USAID director Samantha Power during a hearing about the agency’s vetting process to ensure that U.S. aid is not being used for terrorism. Power claimed that “we take very seriously the stewardship of taxpayer resources” but did not explain why the agency was providing funding to these groups.

The State Department did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.