LONDON, April 17, 2025 – Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Archewell Foundation has reportedly ended its partnership with a U.S.-based Muslim women’s organisation after its founder made pro-Palestinian statements and labelled Israel as an “apartheid state,” sparking controversy across global media outlets.
The foundation, launched by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in 2020, had awarded two grants totalling approximately $55,700 to the Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition (MMWC) since 2023, according to a report by Middle East Eye.
The decision to sever ties reportedly came after NewsNation, a U.S. broadcaster, informed the Archewell Foundation about past statements made by MMWC founder Janan Najeeb, a Palestinian-American community leader. Sources cited by NewsNation said, “To Archewell and the Duke and Duchess’s credit, once they were made aware of this story… they were appalled.”
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Controversial Statements Spark Fallout
According to The Jerusalem Post, Najeeb published a blog post in 2024 in which she described Israel’s actions as a “75-year occupation” and referred to the events in Gaza as genocide. She called for a permanent ceasefire, an end to arming Israel, and supported the widely controversial chant: “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”
In February 2023, Najeeb had echoed similar sentiments in an article for the Wisconsin Muslim Journal, urging an end to support for what she called the “apartheid state of Israel.” That same year, she publicly thanked Archewell for its funding and praised its support for humanitarian efforts in Gaza.
“We took swift and impactful action in response to the war on Gaza. Our efforts, alongside other Wisconsin-based organisations, aimed to raise awareness and demand human rights for Palestinians,” Najeeb said at the time.
Archewell Responds Firmly
Following the backlash, Al Jazeera’s AJ+ reported that Archewell sent a formal letter to MMWC:
“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.”
The letter marked a clear stance from Archewell, distancing itself from politically charged narratives that could conflict with its brand and philanthropic mission.
MMWC Responds Online
In response, the Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition took to Instagram, resharing news articles about the funding cut and encouraging followers to continue supporting the coalition’s work. Despite the severance, MMWC stood by its founder’s remarks, with many of its supporters rallying behind its pro-Palestinian stance.
No Public Comment from Archewell
As of now, the Archewell Foundation has not issued an official public statement on its website or social media accounts regarding the matter.
This development adds to the complex landscape of global charity partnerships, especially as political sensitivities surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict continue to intensify. The Archewell Foundation’s move signals a cautious approach by celebrity-led initiatives navigating international issues that blend humanitarian concerns with political ideologies.
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