State Department gives $41,000 to non-profit Hamas partner

The State Department reportedly gave over $41,000 to Fares Al-Arab, a non-profit based in Gaza that partners with Hamas, as a grant to help journalists with their English skills.

The 15-month project funded by the U.S. government started in September, according to the grant documents. 

Fares Al-Arab spokesperson Areej Al-Massry said her organization's "views on Israel will not be part of the media training program," the Free Beacon reported Wednesday.

Fares Al-Arab started in 2006, the same year Palestinians voted Hamas into power. Hamas is designated by the U.S. State Department as a foreign terrorist organization.

The non-profit is licensed by Gaza's Interior Ministry and partnered with the government as recently as 2021 to raise awareness for breast cancer. That same year, the group worked with Gaza's Public Works ministry to help repair homes damaged in a confrontation sparked by Hamas rocket attacks on Israel. 

"It’s no surprise that the Biden State Department is funding groups committed to inciting violence against Israel and waging economic warfare against our Israeli allies," Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) told the D.C. outlet.

"Biden officials have been taking money that Congress allocated for programs in Israel aimed at coexisting and integration, and instead poured them into Hamas-controlled areas."