CAIR responds after DropSite News reports that Illinois nonprofit ‘Friends of Paratrooper Sniper Unit 202’ raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for Israeli military gear
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 12/12/2024) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today expressed concern over allegations that the Illinois-based nonprofit Friends of Paratrooper Sniper Unit 202 has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to provide equip an Israeli military unit reportedly involved in war crimes in Gaza.
An investigative report by Drop Site News disclosed that the nonprofit directed over $300,000 to provide sniper scopes, silencers, and other specialized military equipment for the unit, known as “Rephaim” (“Ghosts”). This unit has been linked to over 100 deaths in Gaza, including unarmed civilians, raising serious questions about compliance with international law and ethical accountability. Videos shared online depict thermal imagery of sniper operations targeting individuals who appeared to pose no immediate threat.
CAIR noted that just today, Israeli snipers reportedly killed Palestinian orthopedic surgeon Dr. Saed Jouda in northern Gaza. In July, CAIR demanded that the Biden administration address reports that American doctors who volunteered in Gaza experienced treating “incinerated” and “shredded” children, including children deliberately shot in the chest and head by Israeli snipers.
In a statement, CAIR Government Affairs Department Director Robert S. McCaw said:
“It is deeply troubling that a U.S.-registered nonprofit appears to be funding sniper scopes and other military equipment for an Israeli occupation unit accused of committing war crimes against unarmed civilians in Gaza. Providing material support for terrorism is illegal, and it should be just as illegal to provide material support for genocide. Congress should ensure that our laws forbid nonprofits from sending money overseas to support a genocide.”
According to the Drop Site article, the 2023 IRS filings for Friends of Paratrooper Sniper Unit 202 reportedly describe the organization as supporting the “additional requirements and overall welfare of soldiers.” However, the article also showed social media posts from the nonprofit’s directors indicating funds were used to purchase sniper rifles, silencers, and advanced military equipment. One post claimed, “Your support allowed us to get my son and his elite sniper unit the most advanced scopes needed in order to have an advantage over Hamas when they go into Gaza.”
This case underscores an apparent disparity in oversight applied to U.S.-based nonprofits. For several months CAIR and other groups advocating for Palestinian human rights have frequently faced bad faith accusations and heightened scrutiny from Congress, while entities supporting Israeli military’s illegal acts of genocide and other war crimes often evade comparable accountability.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Director of Government Affairs Department Robert S. McCaw, 202-716-6242, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com