Rockefeller Brothers Fund Linked to Pro-Palestinian Groups Designated as “Terrorist Organizations”

Edited by: Fern Sidman

The New York Post recently revealed that pro-Palestinian groups, involved in incidents of spreading hate during the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting, have received significant funding from the Rockefeller family’s main charitable arm – the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. Public records reviewed by The Post reveal ties between the fund and two groups designated as “terrorist organizations” by the Israeli government.

The Rockefeller Brothers Fund, established in 1940 and boasting a $1.3 billion endowment, has seen Justin, Wyatt, and David Rockefeller Jr. on its board of trustees. As was indicated in the Post report, since 2018, the fund has allocated over $2.6 million directly or indirectly to at least six anti-Israel organizations. Some of these organizations openly celebrated the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, the Post report added.

One such group, the Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, which displayed its logo at a recent rally in New York, operates as a “fiscally sponsored project” of the Alliance for Global Justice, the report in the Post said. In August 2022, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund granted $100,000 to the Alliance, despite Israel designating Samidoun as a terrorist organization in February 2021, with Germany following suit last month.

Founded in 2011, Samidoun condemned the UK in 2021 for classifying Hamas as a terrorist organization and expressed support for the October 7 terrorist incursion, according to the Post report. The group’s statement on that day declared, “The resistance is rising throughout occupied Palestine . . . confronting the occupier by land and air, taking control of Palestinian land, seizing occupation settlers and soldiers and launching thousands of missiles as Palestinian resistance forces fight to advance return and the liberation of Palestine.”

Another recipient of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund’s support is Defense For Children International-Palestine, which received at least $215,000, according to their website and IRS tax form records, as was reported by the Post. Despite being declared a terrorist organization by the Israeli government in October 2021, the fund issued a new $50,000 grant to the organization in 2022.

City Councilman Joe Borelli (R-Staten Island) commented on the situation, stating, “This is unfortunately a case of reaping what one sows. They were probably fine with these rabid, lefty groups, protesting other people. The lesson we all can take from this is that the woke left isn’t our friend,” the Post report said.

The revelation sheds light on the complex intersection of philanthropy, political advocacy, and international conflicts, sparking discussions about the responsibilities and consequences associated with funding entities tied to geopolitical controversies.

Public grant disclosures on the fund’s website indicate that at least $490,000 was allocated for “general support” to the Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) since 2019, according to the Post report.

Despite its name, JVP has faced accusations of being a notorious anti-Israel organization and a platform for mainstreaming anti-Semitic ideas, according to critics. The Post also reported that the Anti-Defamation League, a prominent anti-hate organization, states that Jewish Voice for Peace is a “radical anti-Israel and anti-Zionist activist group” that advocates for boycotting Israel and eliminating Zionism. The ADL emphasizes that JVP does not represent the mainstream Jewish community and views it as bigoted for its association with Israel, the report in the Post added.

JVP’s activities have not been without controversy, as evidenced by a Grand Central demonstration organized by the group in October that resulted in over 300 arrests. As was reported by the Post, Columbia University recently banned Jewish Voice for Peace from repeatedly holding “threatening” campus events, further adding to the organization’s contentious reputation.

The Rockefeller Brothers Fund has also extended its financial support to The Tides Center, directing at least $515,000 specifically to support Palestine Legal, a pro-Palestinian advocacy group. The Post also said that records indicate that Palestine Legal celebrated the October 7 attacks as “one of the most significant acts of Palestinian resistance.”

“There is no equivalence – moral or otherwise – between Israel’s nearly eight decades of ceaseless colonial violence, and the resistance that it has engendered,” Palestine Legal said on Oct 10, as was reported by the Post.

Mort Klein, president of the Zionist Organization of America, highlighted what he sees as irony in the foundation supporting groups engaged in anti-Israel activities.

According to the Post report, Klein pointed out the Rockefeller Brothers Fund’s connections to the Tides Foundation, an organization funded by George Soros, has been accused of promoting anti-Semitic ideas and participating in Jew-hating displays.

“It’s the height of irony that the Rockefeller Foundation supports the anti-Israel, Soros-funded Tides Foundation and many other anti-Semitic Israel-bashing groups, that are now holding ugly, disgusting, vile Jew-hating displays at the Christmas Tree event at the Rockefeller Center. Just desserts I say,” Klein said, as was reported by the Post.

The Tides Center, a recipient of Rockefeller Brothers Fund donations, has been criticized for its involvement in pro-Palestinian advocacy, including celebrating the October 7 attacks orchestrated by Hamas, the Post report added.

The Rockefeller Brothers Fund has also allocated substantial amounts to organizations like the Adalah Justice Project and the Middle East Policy Network (Al-Shabaka), both of which openly celebrated the Hamas attacks in October, as was noted in the Post report. The foundation, however, defended its grants, emphasizing that it also supports more “mainstream” Israel-focused groups, such as J-Street and The Van Leer Jerusalem Institute.

Sarah Edkins, a spokeswoman for the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, stated, “We categorically reject any claim that our grantee organizations support, materially or ideologically, acts of terrorism,” the Post report said. She highlighted the foundation’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, expressing deep concern about indications of growing anti-Semitism.

The Post also reported that Edkins clarified the nature of the fund’s relationship with the Alliance for Global Justice, stating, “The Fund’s only relationship with Alliance for Global Justice is as the fiscal sponsor for one grantee of our Sustainable Development program, South Bronx Unite.”

As the controversy unfolds, it raises broader questions about the responsibilities of philanthropic organizations and their potential influence on events that involve sensitive geopolitical issues. The Rockefeller Foundation’s support for various groups has ignited discussions about the ethical considerations surrounding financial contributions to organizations engaged in divisive activities.