Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares led a 22-state coalition in filing an amicus brief to encourage denial of requests to dismiss a lawsuit against a Northern Virginia group with alleged ties to Hamas brought under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
The brief was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. The lawsuit is brought by survivors of, and family members of individuals murdered during Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack in Israel.
The lawsuit seeks to hold the Falls Church-based AJP Educational Foundation Inc. (also known as American Muslims for Palestine) and the National Students for Justice in Palestine accountable for allegedly providing material support to Hamas, a designated foreign terrorist organization.
The brief argues that dismissing the claims before discovery would undermine the ability of victims to receive compensation and prevent organizations like AMP and NSJP from being held accountable for their actions.
“Virginia stands firmly against those who provide support to terrorist organizations, and we are committed to ensuring that justice is served,” Miyares said. “While no amount of financial compensation can undo the horrors of the October 7 attacks, the ATA ensures that victims can seek some form of justice by holding supporters of terrorism financially accountable. These victims should be allowed to have their day in court instead of being outright dismissed.”
The lawsuit alleges that AMP’s material support for Hamas has persisted for decades, originating from its predecessor organizations, including the Holy Land Foundation and the Islamic Association of Palestine, whose board members were convicted of providing material support in the form of millions of dollars to Hamas.
According to the suit, in the wake of the Oct. 7 attack, Hamas leadership urged international supporters to rally. NSJP responded by releasing a “Day of Resistance Toolkit” that the lawsuit alleges instructs members on how to continue their support for Hamas.
In Virginia, where AMP is based, Miyares launched a separate investigation into potential violations of state law, including allegations that AMP used funds to support terrorist organizations.
American Muslims for Palestine, for its part, denies any Hamas ties.
“There have been many allegations and insinuations against American Muslims for Palestine and whether it has connections to Hamas, supports Hamas, or in any way, shape or form aids Hamas. The answer to all of those is simple and clear: No,” said Christine Jump, an attorney who represents AMP, in a statement to USA Today.
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Rebecca Barnabi
