Attorney General Jason Miyares says “moral leadership” is needed to combat the rise of anti-Semitism on college campuses and is taking several actions to help Israel in the aftermath of terror group Hamas’ bloody attack on October 7.
Miyares opened an investigation into the pro-Palestinian charity American Muslims for Palestine, based in Northern Virginia, which reportedly has ties to Hamas.
He told DailyMail.com in an exclusive interview that the group is accused of passing on its charity donations to terrorist groups, including Hamas in Gaza.
“There is specific language in the Virginia code that specifically prohibits raising money for charity and then directing that money to a designated terrorist organization,” Miyares said.
“And so we’re looking at whether these allegations have any merit.”
Students for Justice in Palestine organized a meeting on the UVA campus last month
Miayres has also collected more than 1,000 body armor, protective equipment and helmets from police across the Commonwealth, which have been sent to first responders and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
“We are truly honored by the outpouring and we thought it was great symbolism in a time after October 7th. When we saw so many deaths, we could unite and provide equipment that could save lives,” he shared. DailyMail.com.
Virginia’s top law enforcement official is facing the challenge of the growing rise of anti-Semitism on college campuses nationwide – including colleges within the Commonwealth.
He said the First Amendment is sacred in the United States, allowing people to express their “reprehensible views,” but at some point it is up to leadership to intervene.
“The First Amendment is very broad, but I also think it’s important to provide some moral leadership as well.”
Last month, about 200 University of Virginia students led a demonstration on campus in support of Palestine and expressed sympathy toward Hamas.
“Liberate free Palestine, long live Palestine,” chants rang out throughout the university.
One student stated that “Hamas is simply a political party operating in Gaza,” and that “all Palestinian resistance groups only exist because of the Israeli occupation.”
“Israel, you cannot hide the fact that you are committing genocide,” said another student, condemning the US for intervening to help Israel.
Miyares told DailyMail.com that the pro-Hamas statements crossed the line.
Students for Justice in Palestine’s peaceful protest brought 100 people to the UVA Rotunda
“If you have people marching through a campus and saying, ‘From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,’ they are talking about exterminating the 8 million Jews who currently live there, because that is what Hamas is about .’
“Their charter says we value death over life. And they don’t believe in coexistence. They believe in extermination,” Miyares continued.
“So I think it’s important that more leaders point out where they’re flat out wrong about what they’re advocating for. And the moral equivalence, I think, is one of the most troubling aspects you see on college campuses,” he continued.