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House Votes 361-37 to Limit Palestinian Aid

(Reuters/Washington Post) Vicki Allen - The U.S. House of Representatives voted 361-37 on Tuesday to impose broad restrictions on U.S. aid to the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority. Backers of the bill said it was needed to keep any U.S. funds from supporting Hamas, a militant group pledged to the destruction of Israel and deemed a terrorist organization by Washington. The administration has cut off direct aid to the Hamas-led government, but the bill would put into law more sweeping bans. The bill calls for the Palestinian Authority to be designated a "terrorist sanctuary," and bans visas for entry into the U.S. of any official or member of the PA. It also recommends withholding U.S. contributions to the UN proportional to the amount the world body provides the PA. Under the bill, aid would be restored if Hamas recognizes Israel's right to exist, renounces terrorism, and disarms. Rep. Tom Lantos of California, top International Relations Committee Democrat and the bill's co-sponsor, said instead of punishing Palestinians, the bill was "carefully crafted and aimed at Hamas." "The United States must make it unambiguously clear that we will not support a terrorist regime," said Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Florida Republican.
2006-05-24 00:00:00
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