UK Prince Harry’s Archewell Foundation severs ties with Muslim women’s group over call to destroy Israel

The Archewell Foundation, led by Great Britain's Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has severed ties with the Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition due to its leader’s call for the destruction of Israel, according to media reports on Saturday.

In 2024, Palestinian-American Janan Najeeb, who established the Muslim organization, accused the Jewish state of “apartheid,” “occupation,” and “genocide.”

"Israel's 75-year occupation of Palestine and the genocide in Gaza are a grave injustice," Najeeb claimed at the time.

"We demand a permanent ceasefire, an end to arming the apartheid state of Israel, and the liberation of Palestine. From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. From the sea to the river, Palestine will live forever," she said, invoking a slogan calling for Israel’s destruction that has gained popularity at anti-Israel rallies worldwide.

The Archewell Foundation, which received an inquiry from NewsNation, said it decided to end all donations to the Muslim women’s group.

The Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition was established in 1994 as an NGO with the stated goal "to empower Muslim women and girls through education, leadership, outreach, and wellness programs."

In 2023, Prince Harry’s foundation reportedly donated $27,960 to the organization.

James Holt and Shauna Nep, the senior executives at the Archewell Foundation, explained why it had decided to end its ties with the Muslim women’s organization. 

"Janan, we've recently been notified of a blog post you wrote that goes against the values of the foundation. As a foundation, we celebrate different perspectives and backgrounds, but we have zero tolerance for hateful words, actions, or propaganda," Holt and Nep wrote. 

"When we started the welcome project, we did so to support Afghan women in finding community, and we are proud of the work we have done to support women in Milwaukee. We remain committed to fostering partnerships that reflect and reinforce the values our foundation stands for,” they continued. 

"We will be removing Muslim Women's Coalition from our network effective as of today. At this time, the foundation will be making no additional grants to MMWC," they concluded.

Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, officially established the foundation "to unite and uplift communities, both locally and globally."

The foundation has succeeded in raising approximately £4.3 million (almost $5.7 million) in grants in 2023. Furthermore, it has donated over £1 million ($1.3 million) to various charities worldwide.

In September 2023, merely a month before the Hamas Oct. 7 massacre, an Israeli team of injured Israeli military athletes represented the Jewish state at the Invictus Games for injured war veterans in Germany. The event was founded by Prince Harry in 2014. 

"This is an unparalleled and exhilarating moment for us. The opportunity for the Israeli national team to be a part of the Invictus Games is deeply cherished," said Idan Kaliman, the chairman of the Disabled Veterans IDF Organization. 

"Recognizing the significance of sports in rehabilitation, we've instituted sports centers in warrior homes, aiding them in refining their capabilities. Our anticipation is palpable as we participate in the Invictus Games for the first time, eager to witness our team's feats," he added.