Leftist Group Uses Federal COVID Funds for Anti-Israel Film Screening

Federal COVID-19 relief funds were controversially used to support the screening of an anti-Israel film, according to the left-wing activist group Somerville for Palestine. The group, which co-hosted the event, proudly advertised that the screening of "Israelism" in Somerville, Massachusetts, was "funded in part by an American Rescue Plan Act grant from the City of Somerville."

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2021, allocated $1.9 trillion to address the impacts of COVID-19. However, the use of these funds for the screening raises serious questions about the appropriate use of taxpayer dollars.

Key Points:

• The event encouraged attendees to wear masks, despite mask mandates being lifted two years ago, reflecting the group's ongoing adherence to outdated COVID protocols.

• Somerville nonprofits receiving ARPA funding can use it for operational expenses and COVID-19 mitigation, but are explicitly prohibited from using these funds for political activities.

• The City of Somerville clarified that while a general ARPA grant was awarded to the nonprofit host to support community gatherings, it did not endorse or co-host the specific event.

A spokeswoman for the City of Somerville stated, "We are not involved in the selection of events to host in the facility," emphasizing that the city requested the removal of its logos from promotional materials. Despite this, the misuse of ARPA funds for such events contradicts the intended purpose of the relief funds, which aim to support COVID-19 related expenses and recovery.

"Israelism," released in 2023, has been criticized for its ideological bias and misrepresentation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The film follows the journey of two young Jews turning against Israel and was accompanied by a panel discussion featuring its director, Erin Axelman.

Somerville for Palestine, an activist group accusing Israel of genocide, has been active in anti-Israel movements, particularly since Hamas' brutal attack on Israeli civilians on October 7. The group’s involvement in promoting anti-Israel sentiment through educational events and propaganda is well-documented.

Context and Concerns:

• The City of Somerville has received $77,504,170 in ARPA funding, all of which must be obligated by the end of 2024 and fully spent by the end of 2026.

• The misallocation of these funds undermines the intended goal of supporting communities in their recovery from the pandemic.

This incident highlights the need for stricter oversight and accountability in the allocation and use of federal relief funds. The misuse of ARPA funds for politically charged events not only diverts resources from their intended purpose but also raises ethical concerns about the promotion of divisive ideologies using taxpayer money.

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