The Biden administration publicly opposed the reforms,[8][9][10][11] and media reports later suggested that U.S. taxpayer funds, distributed via agencies such as the U.S. State Department and USAID, may have been used to support these protest movements.[12][13][14] In March 2025, the House Judiciary and House Foreign Affairs Committees launched an investigation, requesting records from six NGOs. The July 2025 committee memo summarized the initial findings.[2][15]
BWF is an Israeli NGO advocating for a two-state solution. This organization allegedly received hundreds of millions of NIS via U.S.-linked intermediaries, particularly the Middle East Peace Dialogue Network (MEPDN) and PEF Israel Endowment Funds.[16][2][17] BWF ostensibly supported protest headquarters during the judicial crisis and referred to Netanyahu's government as a dictatorship. The committee raised concerns over violations of Israeli NGO transparency regulations.[2][18][19]
Movement for Quality Government in Israel
Movement for Quality Government in Israel is a long-standing Israeli civil society organization promoting democratic governance. It received approximately $42,000 in U.S. State Department grants between 2020 and 2022 for a "Civic Activism Training" program in Jerusalem schools. The curriculum included protest rights, whistleblowing, and civic activism.[16][17] Critics claimed this constituted foreign political interference aimed at shaping Israeli youth opinion.[2][20]
U.S.-based financial intermediaries
PEF Israel Endowment Funds
PEF served as a major U.S. donation channel to Israeli NGOs. It allegedly directed hundreds of millions of NIS to protest-related organizations and is criticized for lack of donor transparency and oversight.[2][21]
Jewish Communal Fund
Jewish Communal Fund is a donor-advised fund manager based in New York. It reported to have transferred over $42 million to Israeli protest organizers.[22] The committee raised concerns over oversight and compliance with U.S. nonprofit laws.[2][23]
Middle East Peace Dialogue Network
Middle East Peace Dialogue Network is a U.S. nonprofit organization controlled by donor Hillel Schenker. It is accused of circumventing Israeli law to fund political activism and mass protests, and therefore, allegedly in violation of U.S. rules governing 501(c)(3) organizations political activities.[2][24][17]
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors is a fiscal sponsor and nonprofit consultancy managing federal grants. It allegedly received over $30 million in federal funds. Allegedly, some funds were reportedly redirected to groups affiliated with the Israeli protest movement, raising concerns over misuse of U.S. taxpayer money.[2][25]
Possible links to extremist groups
The memo references concerns that some funded NGOs may have indirect ties to organizations or individuals associated with extremist or terrorist activity. It raises questions about potential violations of U.S. anti-terror funding restrictions, though no formal conclusions have been drawn.[2][26]
Committee conclusions
The committee alleges that the Biden-Harris administration misused U.S. taxpayer funds to interfere in Israel's domestic politics. It characterizes the funding as a form of indirect support for civil unrest and opposition to a democratically elected government. The memo frames this as both a breach of U.S. nonprofit regulations and a violation of Israeli sovereignty.[2][27][28]
Current status
As of July 2025 the investigation remains ongoing. Additional document requests, subpoenas, and hearings are expected. No legal action or criminal referrals have been issued as of July 2025, though further scrutiny of State Department and USAID grant disbursements is anticipated.[29][27]
Reception and criticism
Republican lawmakers described the memo as evidence of ideological interference by the Biden administration.[1]Democratic lawmakers dismissed the probe as politically motivated and lacking substantive evidence.[1]
NGOs named in the report denied wrongdoing, asserting their programs complied with legal standards and supported democratic engagement.[29] The NGOs mentioned in the report denies the accusations: BWF CEO Rotem Perelman-Farhi pushed back on the committee's accusations: Blue White Future declared that it "categorically rejects the false and groundless allegations concerning its funding and activities." and claimed that "No state entity, administration, or government body — American or otherwise (USAID included) — has ever provided funding to the organization."[27] JCF declared that it will cooperate with the committee, but does not agree with its latest memo.[27]
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