Endowment for Middle East Truth

The Endowment for Middle East Truth (EMET) is a Washington, D.C.-based think tank and policy organization known for its pro-Israel stance. Founded in 2005 by Sarah Stern, EMET aims to promote a strong U.S.-Israel relationship and provide policymakers with information on Middle East issues, including the threats from radical Islamism to the Western world and the national security of the United States and Israel[1][3].

History

EMET was established in response to events such as the 2005 Gaza withdrawal, during which Israel faced significant terrorist threats from Hamas[3]. In recent years, EMET has been involved in various initiatives to influence U.S. policy, particularly concerning the U.S.-Israel relationship. One notable effort was their involvement in distributing DVDs of the film "Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West" before the 2008 U.S. Presidential election, in collaboration with The Clarion Fund and Aish HaTorah[1].

Activities and Advocacy

EMET engages in several activities to achieve its objectives:

• Policy Briefings: The organization conducts over 250 briefings annually on Capitol Hill for both Democratic and Republican offices. These briefings focus on issues related to Middle East policy and the national security of the U.S. and Israel[3].
• Research and Publications: EMET publishes a newsletter with over 11,000 subscribers, providing articles and policy reports that advocate for pro-Israel policies. They also host seminars featuring international experts to educate policymakers and the public on counterterrorism and Israeli national security[3][4].
• Legislative Support: EMET has been credited with supporting legislation such as the Jerusalem Embassy Relocation Act, which led to the U.S. embassy's relocation from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in 2017. They also supported the Israel Relations Normalization Act of 2021, aimed at strengthening economic ties between Israel and its Sunni Arab neighbors[3].

Leadership and Structure

Sarah Stern serves as the founder and president of EMET. Before establishing the organization, Stern worked as the director of the Office of Legislative and Governmental Affairs of the American Jewish Congress and as a national policy coordinator for the Zionist Organization of America[3]. The organization's advisory board includes notable figures such as Daniel Pipes, Caroline Glick, and James Woolsey[1].

Financial Overview

As a 501(c)3 organization, EMET's activities are funded primarily through contributions, which accounted for nearly the entirety of its revenue in recent years. In 2022, EMET reported over $536,000 in revenue and held net assets of approximately $864,677[3][5]. Donations to EMET are tax-deductible[5].