IRS Harassing Jewish Organization? (Ben)

Are you or have you ever been a supporter of Israel?

The IRS is looking into a group that calls itself Z Street, which was created to counter J Street. For those of you goyum not familiar with Jewish lobbying groups, J Street is the liberal jewish organization that has a less than stellar record of supporting Israel. Well, to counter this Z Street was created. It is a pro-Israel lobbying group. Not in that they are lobbying at the behest of Israel, just simply that they are pretty openly pro-Israel and would like Americans and our politicians to be so as well.

Well the IRS has sent a letter which asked:

“Does your organization support the existence of the land of Israel?” IRS agent Tracy Dornette wrote the organization, according to this week’s court filing, as part of its consideration of the organizations application for tax exempt status. “Describe your organization’s religious belief system toward the land of Israel.

Fair enough right? There are rules and guidelines to being tax exempt in America and it is the IRS's duty to make sure groups comply with those guidelines. However, it is Z Street's claim that I find disturbing.

Z Street claims that a different IRS agent reviewing its application for tax exempt status said the agency is “carefully scrutinizing organizations that are in any way connected with Israel” and that “a special unit” is determining whether its activities “contradict the Administration’s public policies.”

Z Street could be lying. It would probably be in their interest to do so. However, I find myself growing cynical with this administration, especially on its policies toward Israel.

What do you think? Am I too cynical, or do you also believe that the Obama administration would use the IRS to target lobbying groups who counter the Administration's foreign policy?

posted by Open Blogger at 11:13 AM

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