What it’s about
The head of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), a group that has amplified pro-Hamas rhetoric and called for the defunding of police, made several visits to the White House earlier this year. Joyce Ajlouny, listed as the general secretary of AFSC, visited twice in March 2024 for a total of three meetings with members of the Biden administration.
Why it matters
These visits come amid AFSC’s continued criticism of Israel and its controversial stances, including advocating for the political acceptance of Hamas, an organization widely recognized as a terrorist group. Ajlouny and other religious leaders met with Biden administration staff, urging an end to what they termed the “genocide in Gaza,” demanding immediate actions from the U.S. administration.
The big picture
The AFSC has a long history of not only supporting radical causes but also vehemently criticizing Israeli policies. The organization controversially stated Israel was the “root cause” of the Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel last October. During the George Floyd riots in 2020, AFSC also backed calls to defund the police and reinvest in social programs.
What they’re saying
Joyce Ajlouny said in a statement after her White House visit, “I joined with people representing many different churches and denominations to call for an immediate and permanent cease-fire and full access for humanitarian aid.” The group’s representative insisted, “AFSC is a Quaker organization that values the life and dignity of every single person,” arguing that their defunding calls are demands from the Black Lives Matter movement.
Go deeper
The AFSC continues to align itself with several far-left organizations advocating for the abolition of police and immigration agencies like ICE. Financially, AFSC receives support from left-wing groups like the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, which regularly fund groups critical of Israel.
Bottom Line
The engagement of radical group leaders with the highest levels of the U.S. administration raises serious concerns regarding policy influence, especially concerning America’s strongest ally in the Middle East, Israel. These visits underscore the need for greater scrutiny and transparency on the political alignment and influences shaping U.S. foreign policy.
This story was first published on foxnews.com.