Dear Reader:
I thank all those who donated to the Middle East Forum in 2019. And I invite those who have not yet done so to send a tax-deductible contribution, most easily by clicking here.
Launched in 1994, MEF is a “think & action tank” teaming subject matter experts with activists to identify and promote American interests at home and across the globe.
Think
I trust you have been educated by the 500 articles we have published so far in 2019, on topics ranging from the Israeli public’s embrace of Victory and the crisis in the Persian Gulf, to jihadists flowing into the U.S. through the Mexican border and Elizabeth Warren’s dalliance with Islamists. Our work has appeared in both mass publications such as The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post; and in targeted publications such as Coptic Solidarity and Sigma Insight Turkey.
Action
You may be less familiar with our activist campaigns which took us this year to the White House and the Hungarian prime minister, as well as Congress, federal agencies, courts of law, corporate boardrooms, and campuses.
Five examples of our campaigns: - Israel Victory Project– Our idea, that peace comes through Israel Victory, has become an important topic in Israeli public discourse. New Israeli chief of staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi ordered Israel’s defense establishment to plan for “winning a clear, decisive, irrefutable victory in the next war it fights.” Kochavi had been appointed by then Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman, who told the media at the time that, “Victory is … the most important value” in choosing Israel’s next army chief. We had often met with Liberman, who praised the Israel Victory Project as “an excellent idea.” Further, millions of Israelis have by now been exposed to Israel Victory, hundreds of thousands are discussing it, and dozens of politicians are relating to the idea in their policy discussions. It was the #1 most-discussed defense issue leading up to Israel’s election on Tuesday.
- Countering Islamist Political Influence– We have expanded our Islamist Money in Politics project (now called Islamists in Politics) to counter the rising tide of radical Muslims active in American politics, such as newly elected members of Congress Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) and Ilhan Omar (D-MN). One example: Omar and Islamic Relief back-tracked after we discovered and reported that the former was about to share the stage at the latter’s event with an Islamist who has praised the killing of Jews. (See coverage in the Daily Wire, the Jerusalem Post and the Washington Examiner.)
- Transparency in Foreign Funding of American Universities– We are working with Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) on the Foreign Funding in Education Act, to shine a light on billions of dollars flowing to U.S. universities from foreign countries, including those hostile to American interests, such as Qatar.
- Defending the Public Discussion of Islam– Our Legal Project helps researchers, authors and commentators speak-out against Islamism in the face of predatory civil lawsuits, malign government prosecutions, job terminations, de-platforming and censorship. For example, we are supporting the reformist Austalian Imam Mohammad Tawhidi, who has been sued and harassed after testifying against extremist Muslims in the Australian Senate.
“If I lose this case and do not defend myself, it will set a dangerous precedent: No moderate Muslim would dare fight the extremists,” said Imam Tawhidi. “I am honored to have the Middle East Forum’s invaluable support in this case.”
- Shaping Europe’s Civilizationist Movement– In a new initiative, we are working to smooth the rough edges of those Europeans worried about demographics, immigration, multiculturalism, and Islamization. This pro-Western, pro-Christian, and pro-Israel movement can only succeed if it matures and moderates. Toward this end, we plan to host a Civilizationist conference in Jerusalem.
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Readers such as yourself have supported the Middle East Forum for 25 years. Our board and staff are deeply grateful.
I look forward to keeping you informed as we continue to promote American interests and protect Western values.
Yours sincerely,
Daniel Pipes
President
Supporting the Forum is most easily done at our website by clicking here. Payment options (also provided below) include credit card, PayPal, personal check, and stock donation. If you have questions about contributions to MEF, please contact Gregg Roman at Roman@MEForum.org or 215-546-5406 ext. 104.
The IRS has granted the Forum 501(c)3 status, meaning donations are tax deductible within the United States. Donations through the United Way’s Donor Choice Program should use MEF’s agency code: 52445. The Forum is also now included in the Combined Federal Campaign, available to federal workers.
CONTRIBUTIONS: We offer a wide range of benefits to donors, such as invitations to events (Click here for details.)
PAYMENT OPTIONS
(1) ONLINE VIA CREDIT CARD OR PAYPAL: Visit https://www.meforum.org/participation/ and follow instructions. (The website is secure and encrypted; your personal information cannot be read as it travels the Internet.)
(2) PERSONAL CHECK VIA THE POSTAL SERVICE: Please make a check payable to “Middle East Forum” and mail it to:
Middle East Forum
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(3) STOCK DONATIONS: Donations of stock may be sent to:
Vanguard Marketing Corporation
Account Name: The Middle East Forum
Account Number: 59334817
DTC Number: 0062
If sending by U.S. mail, checks must be accompanied by a letter of instruction and sent to:
Vanguard
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Please be sure to let us know if you plan on donating stock so that we may properly thank you for your gift by emailing donations@MEForum.org or calling 215-546-5406 x104.
If you have questions about this or related matters, please direct them to Gregg Roman, MEF’s director, at 215-546-5406 x104 or Roman@MEForum.org.
(4) PLANNED GIVING: A gift in perpetuity will enhance the Forum’s capabilities while allowing you to transfer more wealth to your heirs at a lower cost. Each of the following 4 methods serves a different purpose and fits a specific investment plan:
1. Charitable Bequest – to remove assets from a taxable estate and make a larger contribution than may be possible during one’s lifetime.
2. Life Insurance – to gain a charitable income tax deduction for the cash surrender value and premiums of a life insurance policy.
3. Retirement Plan – to reduce the size of a taxable estate, avoid income taxation on those funds, avoid income and estate taxes, and increase the amounts passing to heirs.
4. Charitable Trust – to see philanthropy in action, making transfers to heirs at a lower tax cost and designating beneficiaries to receive payments for life or a term of years. We can facilitate three types of Charitable Trusts: Charitable Remainder Trust, Charitable Lead Trust, Retained Life Estate.
For more information on Planned Giving and MEF's Legacy Society, please direct them to Gregg Roman, MEF's director, at 215-546-5406 ext. 104 or Roman@MEForum.org.
Additional Contribution Information
International Donations: International donations to the Middle East Forum in a non-U.S. currency can be made most easily via PayPal, which can draw on your credit card, debit card, or bank account in many currencies. If you do not have PayPal, please contact Gregg Roman at 215-546-5406 ext. 104 or Roman@MEForum.org.
Nonprofit Status: The Middle East Forum is a publicly supported, nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Contributions are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.
Political and Economic Analyses: Middle East Forum staff members are available on contract to do political and economic analyses.
United Way: Donations through United Way's Donor Choice Program, MEF’s Agency Code is 52445.
Combined Federal Campaign: The Forum is now included in the Combined Federal Campaign, available to Federal workers. Please see https://www.opm.gov/combined-federal-campaign/ for more details.
Privacy Policy: The Middle East Forum is committed to protecting the privacy of each donor's personal information. The Middle East Forum securely maintains records of each donor's giving history solely for our internal use and record keeping. The Middle East Forum will only report the donor's personal information to the appropriate government agencies as required by law. The Middle East Forum will not intentionally give, rent, sell or share any of the donor's personal information with a third party except as required by law. The Middle East Forum supports the Association of Fundraising Professionals' Donor Bill of Rights.
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