Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), a group infamous for its aggressive anti-Israel campaigns and frequent pro-Hamas activism, now finds itself at the center of a federal fraud scandal. The U.S. Department of Justice has revealed that JVP committed federal loan fraud to obtain over $300,000 in COVID relief funds—a blatant violation of the law designed to support businesses and nonprofits genuinely struggling during the pandemic.
Deception for Dollars
In its application for a second-draw Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan, JVP falsely certified it was not primarily engaged in political or lobbying activities. This certification was not just a technicality—it was a core requirement for loan eligibility. However, federal investigators uncovered what many already knew: JVP is a politically driven organization whose primary focus is advocacy and activism, not community or economic support.
Despite its claim that the false certifications were “inadvertent,” the organization was forced to settle for $677,634—double the loan amount. This outcome, while significant, raises an alarming question: How could JVP believe it could so brazenly manipulate a program meant for those in genuine need?
A History of Hypocrisy
The fraud allegations are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to JVP’s troubling behavior. The group has long faced criticism for its alignment with radical ideologies. JVP has organized illegal protests, supported anti-Israel rhetoric, and even been accused of sharing antisemitic tropes. Just days after Hamas’s October 7 attack—a terrorist act that claimed the lives of over 1,200 Israelis—JVP staged an illegal protest inside the U.S. Capitol, accusing Israel of “genocide” and defending actions that many see as indefensible.
This is not the first time JVP’s tax-exempt status has been called into question. Lawmakers have repeatedly urged the IRS to revoke it, citing the group’s ongoing support for disruptive and, at times, dangerous actions on college campuses and beyond.
Misuse of Public Funds
The implications of JVP’s actions extend far beyond their immediate settlement. By misrepresenting itself to obtain federal funds, JVP effectively stole money intended for businesses and nonprofits legitimately affected by the pandemic. U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves put it best: “When business owners unfairly drain those funds… they put the entire program at risk.” This behavior undermines the integrity of taxpayer-supported programs and deprives deserving recipients of much-needed aid.
Who Supports JVP?
Adding fuel to the fire is the revelation that George Soros’s Open Society Foundations has funneled at least $650,000 into JVP since 2017. While this funding is reportedly for “human rights” work in the Middle East, it raises serious concerns about the intentions and oversight of such contributions, especially given JVP’s track record of aligning with extremist causes.
The Bottom Line
Jewish Voice for Peace has shown itself to be an organization willing to deceive, disrupt, and manipulate for its own agenda. From defrauding federal pandemic relief programs to promoting divisive and harmful rhetoric, JVP continues to undermine not only its own credibility but also the causes it claims to champion.
It’s time for serious accountability. The DOJ’s settlement should be the beginning, not the end, of efforts to expose JVP’s hypocrisy and hold it responsible for the harm it causes.