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Operation Olive Branch: Behind the Veil of Benevolence

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An inside look at the controversies surrounding Operation Olive Branch’s mission to aid families in crisis.

Background

Operation Olive Branch (OOB) was established following the October 7th attacks, founded by creators WP (TikkunOlamOrBust) and Morrigu (its.me.morrigu) to assist families in Gaza. Inspired by family ties to Holocaust survivors, WP envisioned an organization akin to those that saved lives during that time. Founders Zem (invader.zema) and Hiililylani later joined, shaping OOB into a global aid initiative.

Since its inception, OOB has raised over $1 million, providing aid to communities in crisis, including Gaza, Sudan, and Congo. Initially a grassroots movement on TikTok, it allowed volunteers to sponsor families from a public list. Over time, it evolved into a more structured model with members supporting families directly, reflecting its growth and reach.

While OOB garnered widespread support, allegations of mismanagement, workplace toxicity, and lack of transparency have surfaced, raising questions about its operations. These concerns were brought to light by four former members: AuntieEm (thecraftylittlewitch), RevACABforCuteT (acabforcutet), ChyGunn (drchygunn), and Faith (faith.in.progress).

Allegations and Controversies

Over the past year, Operation Olive Branch reportedly raised over $1 million while assisting numerous families. However, internal dissent has grown as volunteers raised concerns about the organization’s legal status, governance, and financial practices. Volunteers often questioned: What kind of organization are we? Are we legally protected? Where is the money going?

According to former members, these inquiries were dismissed, with volunteers accused of “centering themselves” or having “parasocial relationships” with the families they supported. These responses reportedly discouraged dialogue and created a hostile environment, ultimately leading to the departure of four key volunteers.

The whistleblowers—AuntieEm, RevACABforCuteT, ChyGunn, and Faith—played prominent roles in OOB’s operations, including organizing fundraising efforts and supporting aid distributions. Following their departure, they received cease-and-desist letters from OOB’s attorney, J. Chris Sanders of Chris Sanders Law PLLC. Despite being a prominent advocate for non-profits and PACs, Sanders did not respond to Truthlytics’ request for comment.

One founder, Morrigu, initially engaged with Truthlytics in a group chat with Zem and Hiililylani. However, Morrigu later retracted her participation, citing legal advice, and deleted the conversation. Other founders—WP, Zem, and Hiililylani—similarly declined to comment and requested anonymity regarding their legal names.

Legal and Ethical Concerns

OOB publicly claimed to be a 501(c)(3) organization, allowing for tax-deductible donations. However, Truthlytics uncovered screenshots and voice memos contradicting these claims. While OOB later stated it operated under a fiscal sponsor, it refused to disclose the sponsor’s identity—a significant omission.

In a fiscal sponsorship arrangement, donations are directed to the fiscal sponsor—a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization—which then allocates funds to the sponsored project. This structure allows the project to benefit from the sponsor’s tax-exempt status, enabling donors to receive tax deductions for their contributions. The fiscal sponsor maintains legal and financial oversight, ensuring that funds are used in accordance with charitable purposes and compliance requirements.

Any donations accepted directly by the sponsored organization would violate the fiscal sponsorship agreement and potentially jeopardize the tax-exempt status of the sponsor.

Under U.S. law, fiscal sponsorship requires transparency. Fiscal sponsors handle all donations, maintain oversight of finances, and ensure compliance with tax regulations. Sponsored organizations are prohibited from directly claiming tax-exempt status. Failure to disclose such arrangements can erode donor trust and invite legal scrutiny.

Laura R. Florence, an attorney specializing in non-profit law, commented:
“Transparency is non-negotiable in non-profits. Responding to concerns with legal threats rather than evidence undermines credibility. Organizations should provide foundational documents, including governance and financial records, to donors and volunteers.”

Truthlytics could not verify OOB’s registration as a legal entity or its claimed fiscal sponsorship, raising further questions about its financial and operational legitimacy.

Financial Discrepancies

Recently, OOB released a financial breakdown on its website, claiming allocations such as:

  • 46.66% to Direct Aid to Palestine
  • 26.99% to Camp Ard Al Zaytoon
  • 3.29% to Direct Aid to Congo
  • 3.95% to Fees
  • 3.49% to Operational Expenses
  • 0.93% to Volunteer Stipends
  • 0.29% to Community Mutual Aid

These figures account for only 85.6% of the $1,369,783 raised, leaving nearly $200,000 unaccounted for. The accompanying pie chart, which appeared manually created and inaccurately scaled, further raised concerns about the organization’s transparency. For example, the segment representing 46.66% was disproportionately large, suggesting it covered approximately 55% of the total.

Such discrepancies fail to meet standard U.S. audit guidelines, which require clear, verified, and professionally presented financial statements.

Whistleblower Retaliation

OOB’s handling of internal criticism became further complicated when a TikTok user known as Cat Dad made serious allegations against the organization. Members were instructed to block and ignore him, with no further action taken. However, the four whistleblowers who exposed concerns about OOB’s operations faced significantly harsher treatment.

They received cease-and-desist letters and were notified of an IC3 complaint forwarded to the FBI’s Internet Crime Unit. IC3 complaints typically address online fraud or cybercrimes and rarely apply to whistleblowing activities.

Being placed on an FBI watchlist is a serious matter, typically reserved for individuals suspected of activities posing a national security threat. It subjects individuals to heightened surveillance, travel restrictions, and legal risks. Including whistleblowers on such a list raises serious questions about OOB’s intent to silence criticism.

Photo via Openverse

Operation Olive Branch’s Response

In response to allegations, OOB removed claims of being a 501(c)(3) from its website and stated it was operating under an Indigenous-led fiscal sponsor, whose identity remains undisclosed. The organization claims to prioritize transparency and lists a primarily BIPOC board but continues to withhold governance and financial details from donors and volunteers.

Additional allegations include nepotism, with one core member reportedly dating an individual in Gaza, leading to perceived preferential treatment. Rumors about camp conditions and continued fundraising efforts for a departed partner have also fueled concerns.

Morrigu, addressing criticism in a video, stated:
“If someone is willing to just throw an activist in a mutual movement to the wolves, they’re ‘effing’ feds. If anyone has a valid concern about the movement or organization, they will back it up with proof. And if they do not, as a cult survivor, don’t join an ‘effing’ cult…There is no gag order in the NDA.”

Photo via Openverse

Broader Implications

As one of the most prominent grassroots organizations supporting Gaza, OOB holds significant influence. However, its lack of transparency and allegations of mismanagement threaten to undermine its mission. To regain public trust, OOB must:

  • Provide clear governance and financial details,
  • Address concerns openly, and
  • Foster a healthier internal culture.

For donors, maintaining vigilance is critical. Supporting families in desperate need remains a priority, but ensuring transparency and accountability is equally important. Whistleblowers like AuntieEm, RevACABforCuteT, ChyGunn, and Faith continue advocating for aid while pushing for greater accountability, offering a model for ethical engagement in humanitarian efforts.

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