Rep. Fossella Introduces Bill to Eliminate Aid to Palestinian Authority Following Hamas Election Victory

Fossella Says U.S. Must Not Lend Financial Support to Terror Organization

[Washington, DC] – Congressman Vito Fossella (R-NY13) today announced plans to introduce legislation that would eliminate all United States foreign assistance to the Palestinian Authority when the terrorist organization Hamas assumes control of the Legislative Council.  In FY 2005, $275 million was appropriated to the West Bank and Gaza, with $50 million of that funding going directly to the Palestinian Authority.

 “Not one dollar of taxpayer money should go to this terrorist organization,” Fossella said. “The Palestinian people have every right to elect a terrorist organization to control their government – and the United States has every right to eliminate any financial assistance for it. Hamas is responsible for countless homicide bombings that have killed hundreds of Israeli citizens. They have waged a terror war with the sole intent of murdering innocent people. They do not believe in peace, they do not believe in the right of Israel to exist and they are not friends of civilized society. This bill will deny Hamas the money it needs to carry out its reign of terror on Israel.”

Hamas is recognized as a terrorist organization by the United States, Israel, the European Union and Canada. It has been condemned by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. Hamas rejected the 1993 Oslo peace accords that led to the creation of the Palestinian Authority and does not recognize the right of Israel to exist.

Hamas is responsible for some of the most horrific terrorist attacks in recent years, including the March 2002 Passover Massacre that killed 30 people, the Patt Junction Massacre, which killed 19 people, and the August 2003 Jerusalem Bus attack, which killed 23 people.

“Hamas’ victory further jeopardizes the peace process and creates greater instability in the region,” Fossella said. “I have no confidence in Hamas as a responsible leader of the Palestinian Authority nor do I believe the terrorist group wants peace with Israel. I urge the new government to proceed with caution and exercise restraint as it assumes power. Any provocation on their part will rightly be met with fierce resistance by the Israeli people.”

Under Fossella’s bill, the Hamas-controlled Palestinian Authority would be eligible for United States foreign assistance if:

• The President of the United States removes Hamas from the State Department’s terrorist organization list;
• Hamas recognizes the right of Israel to exist;
• Hamas disarms all militias;
• Hamas renounces violence and acts of terrorism against Israel, and
• Takes definitive steps to be an active and willing participant in peace negotiations.

Hamas won 76 seats in the 132-member legislature in elections yesterday.

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