(Defense News) Barbara Opall-Rome - Moves by both houses of Congress to terminate two decades of economic and security assistance to the PA come in response to the June 2 establishment of a new Palestinian government backed by Hamas, a U.S.-declared terrorist organization. The House Appropriations Committee last week approved a 2015 foreign operations bill that bars aid to the PA from $440 million in proposed funding. The Senate's version of its 2015 foreign operations bill, which includes similar language, was approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee on June 19. Unlike previous years, this year's language targets any type of power-sharing government "that results from an agreement with Hamas." It also imposes strict conditions under which Obama can waive the funding ban. "Funding for the Palestinians is off the table until it is clear that the unity government is committed to peace and security," said Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas), chairwoman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations.
2014-07-02 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive