Gaza Aid Security Contractor Hired Members of “Islamophobic Hate Group” Biker Club, Dem Rep Says

At least 10 members of the Infidels worked in Gaza for GHF’s security contractor, the BBC reported, with seven in oversight roles.

By Matt Sledge, The Intercept

Democratic lawmakers are blasting a controversial Gaza aid group funded by the U.S. government for tapping armed members of a motorcycle club that one legislator called an “Islamophobic hate group.”

Sen. Pete Welch, D-Vt., and Rep. Sean Casten, D-Ill., said in statements that they were outraged that a contractor for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation employed members of the Infidels Motorcycle Club. At least 10 members of the Infidels were employed by the GHF’s security contractor, UG Solutions, according to a recent BBC report.

“It is unacceptable for the United States to fund an organization tied to an Islamophobic hate group,” Casten said in a statement to The Intercept.

Casten led an unsuccessful push this week to bar government funding for the aid group, and Welch has alleged that its employees may be complicit in Israeli war crimes.

“The U.S. government is sending violent motorcycle gangs to Gaza in the middle of a famine,” Welch told The Intercept in a statement. “The American people deserve answers.”

In a statement to The Intercept, GHF said, “The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy toward any form of hateful or discriminatory behavior. Mr. Mulford has not been involved with GHF since August and we are actively reviewing additional allegations.”

UG Solutions did not immediately respond to requests for comment Thursday.