Z Street and the IRS
The story as updated by Z Street on November 22:
"Z STREET, an organization devoted to pro-Israel public education, today filed in federal court its Opposition to the government’s effort to continue violating the US Constitution by discriminating against the organization because its views on Israel and the Middle East differ from those of this government. On August 25, 2010 Z STREET filed a Complaint in federal court charging the Internal Revenue Service with constitutional violations by subjecting Z STREET’s application for tax exemption to a discriminatory process.In its response to Z STREET’s Complaint, the government did not deny that it engaged in this First Amendment violation. Instead, the government’s position is that (1) it can violate the Constitution whenever it wants and the only way to stop it is if the government agrees to be stopped, and (2) Z STREET should go to a different court to get something it should already have - tax exempt status - were it not for the constitutional violation the government has inflicted upon it." -moreAnd as reported by the Arab News on November 26:
Jewish group suing IRS over its tax-exempt statusAnd here's a link to Z Street.
". . . Z Street accused the IRS of “targeting pro-Israel groups” in federal court saying that it received a letter from an IRS agent that their tax experts said was likely outside the usual or appropriate scope of an IRS inquiry.“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.”The complaint also alleges that IRS agent Diane Gentry said applications from organizations dealing with Israel-related issues “are being sent to a special unit in the D.C. office to determine whether the organization’s activities contradict the administration’s public policies." -more
Labels: Administration, IRS, J Street, U.S.A., Z Street
18 Comments:
Is anyone really surprised? This is Obama land now.
I wondered why you were covering the story now, since this was reported in August 2010. Then I found that Z Street filed its suit in August, the IRS eventually responded with a motion to dismiss, and Z Street just responded to that a few days ago i.e. Nov. 22, 2010. So this is a news development that no one else seems to be covering. Why not?
I had guessed at first that the IRS developed these questions to apply to Jihadist anti-Israel organizations to deny them tax status. I think they should explain why they (the IRS) are doing this. Why aren't they being asked?
“Does your organization support the existence of the land of Israel?”
that is hysterical. they mean the political entity of israel, not the land of israel.
Hard to understand the reason for the question. It sounds like a trick question. An answer of yes could mean a loss of tax exemption as a charitable org. On the other hand no could do the same.
The only question now is, as Bones implied:
"What does the American government want?
I haven'the foggiest notion. Since Obama took over, this holds true for all that the Am. administration is doing and especially in relation to Israel.
Irv
On the other hand, I fear that I and Obama do know what his administration is doing in relation to Israel.
I pray that I don't know what I am talking about.
Irv
Beginning to sound like Nazi Germany in the 30's to me. Or maybe Oybama is starting up the old pogroms again. History does seem to repeat. I think I will extend my visit here in Israel for a good while longer. I would rather spend my money here than give it to Amerika.
You Jews in American diaspora seem shocked by this. Your government has made it adundantly clear what it thinks of Jews and Israel.
Dear IRS, I'm a charter member of the Jordan is Gilead Committee. Chew on that!
Look out!! You may be next!!
Interesting that the ARAB NEWS (from Saudia) reported - fairly - on the article. The latest baack-and-forth has garnered space on the WWW which, I suspect, is the reason both the ARAB NEWS and Dry Bnnes noticed it.
US Tax Court, unlike US civil and criminal courts, offer no appeals process, ergo Z Street's effort to move the sisue to a "real" court.
The very scary part of all this to me is the goverment's ability to bend the Constitution to whatever it wants.
If Z-street were to profess to being a pro Palestinian organization, I'm quite positive they would get their tax exemption and maybe some Federal funding as well!
Most Jews in America voted for Obama. Overwhelmingly so.
Most Xtians in America voted for Obama. Overwhelmingly so.
"Katz said...
Most Xtians in America voted for Obama. Overwhelmingly so."
Mr./Mrs./Ms. Katz. I resent this shallow attempt to stigmatize Christians.
If you had used the phrase "Most people in America with IQs approaching 80 voted for Obama" we would have no dispute.
If you had bothered to read the post above mine, you should make the same comment about it. Your resentment about anything posted here is your problem.
Come on Catmoves, prove to us you are not anti-Semitic and make the same statement about what Tru posted. Be a man about it! Or, do you have suppressed anti-Semitism that at times bleeds through?? Maybe this is just your Xtian double standard!
What is so funny about this is how this idiot let his true feelings slip out so easily. It is ok to him for negative statements about Jews to be posted, but not about Xtians. Pure Jew hating to me. His IQ is surely much less than 80.
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