Virginia
Court orders American Muslims for Palestine to give Virginia AG documents over alleged Hamas ties
American Muslims for Palestine was ordered by a Virginia court to provide internal and financial documents to Attorney General Jason Miyares as part of an investigation that the charity may have been funneling funds to Hamas, the Virginia Attorney General’s Office announced on Tuesday.
The Falls Church-based nonprofit’s petition to set aside Miyares’s Civil Investigative Demand (CID) was denied. Consequently, AMP, also known as Americans for Justice in Palestine Educational Foundation, will have to provide documents detailing information about its board, employees, fundraising, finances, advertising, event planning, third-party solicitations, and donations dating back to November 2016.
Miyares announced in October that it was investigating AMP because his office believed it had been soliciting donations in Virginia without being properly registered and allegations that it “may have used funds raised for impermissible purposes under state law, including benefiting or providing support to terrorist organizations.”
The Virginia Attorney General’s Office investigation was sparked by the Boim family lawsuit against AMP. The family, whose son David was murdered by Hamas, accused AMP of being the continuance of other nonprofits that had been funneling funds to the Palestinian terrorist organization.
The Boims had previously secured a $156 million judgment against the Islamic Association of Palestine (IAP) and the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development (HLF). HLF was designated a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by the United States Office of Foreign Asset Control, and in 2008 HLF and five of its leaders were convicted of providing material support to Hamas. IAP was dissolved after it was found civilly liable for providing material support to Hamas through propaganda efforts in 2004.
Overlap between leadership of IAP and AMP
The suit had alleged that there was significant overlap between IAP and AMP leadership, with three IAP board members and close relatives of two board members serving on the AMP board. Three other IAP activists, two of which allegedly held leadership positions with HLF and IAP affiliates, reportedly had joined the AMP board. IAP’s executive director reportedly became AMP’s director, and former IAP president and suit defendant Rageeq Jaber was allegedly involved in high-level AMP decisions.
The Boim family contended that AMP is liable for unpaid portions of claims against its alleged predecessors.
In May, nine American and Israeli survivors and victims of October 7 filed a lawsuit in Virginia against AMP, alleging that it had collaborated with Hamas to legitimize the terrorist organization’s attacks.
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VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Four new trollies will join the VB Wave Trolley fleet beginning May 10, when Virginia Beach Wave Trolley will resume its seasonal service along the oceanfront.
Trolley season lasts through September 25-27 for the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival.
A total of 14 new trollies will be part of the fleet this year, gradually replacing the older versions. The 29-foot trolley replica buses seat 29 people and feature wooden seats, with “sky-blue and sand-colored brown exterior,” according to Hampton Roads Transit (HRTS). Last year, 281,507 riders used the trolley system.
“This year marks the 42nd season of the VB Wave trolley, and these new trollies will provide a comfortable, safe, and efficient ride for visitors and locals alike,” William E. Harrell said. He is the president and CEO of HRT. “As part of our partnership with the city of Virginia Beach, the VB Wave makes it easy for everyone to visit attractions and explore the Oceanfront and beyond without the hassles of parking or the high cost of gas,” Harrell said.
The following routes will operate May 10 through Sept. 27 for the Neptune Festival:
Route 30 is the Atlantic Avenue Trolley, running along the Oceanfront between JT’s Grommet Island Park to Fortieth Street. This service operates daily from 8 a.m.- 2 a.m.
Route 31 is the aquarium and campground trolley along General Booth Boulevard. It runs daily from 9:30 a.m.-11:10 p.m. through Labor Day and again on Fridays through Sundays from Sept. 11 through Sept. 27. Route 31 also extends to Atlantic Avenue and 18th Street.
Route 35 is the Bayfront Bus, providing service between Parks Avenue and 19th Street and Shore Drive and Pleasure House Road, enabling customers to visit Chesapeake Bay beaches, First Landing State Park, and Bayfront restaurants. It operates daily from 8 a.m.-12:30 a.m. through Labor Day and then Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only from Sept. 11 through the Sept. 27 festival
The VB Wave trolley connects to HRT bus lines, Routes 20 and 960, with access to the Newtown Road Light Rail Station and the Downtown Norfolk Transit Center.
Fares are $2 one way or $4.50 for an all-day pass. Kids 17 and under ride free with a paying adult. Riders can pay for tickets using HRT’s GoMobile app and a credit card. Riders can create and manage multiple virtual cards and reload value for easy group boarding, and need to have a unique scannable virtual card for boarding. Children are not required to scan a virtual card or pay fare when boarding with an adult.
Customers can also tap to pay using credit and debit cards. KOA Campground, Virginia Gift Shop, nine Sunsations locations, and Ocean Wave Gift Shop sell tickets. Riders can also pay with exact change cash onboard the trolley.
In addition, HRT is introducing a new route in Virginia Beach beginning May 10. The new Route 981 will connect the Amazon Fulfillment Center (ORF 4) at 1795 Dam Neck Road with the Downtown Norfolk Transit Center.
Route 33 service is being restored to Atlantic Avenue and 68th Street 365 days a year to support the oceanfront hospitality industry.
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