Following the January victory in the Palestinian elections by the terrorist group Hamas, bipartisan legislation was introduced in the House (H.R. 4681) to isolate Hamas, promote the development of democratic institutions in areas under Palestinian Authority control, and to ensure that no U.S. funds are supporting the terrorist groups’ consolidation of power or legitimization. This legislation was then changed in a House Committee Markup, with language and provisions that water down the bill’s provisions, narrow its scope, and may therefore undermine the policy consensus the legislation is intended to serve.

In the wake of the World Bank and European governments preparing to provide funds to the P.A. for the payment of salaries, it is all the more important that final legislation passed by Congress take a hard and strict line against aid to a Hamas-led Palestinian government.

We expect to see H.R. 4681 given House floor consideration next week. It is vital that we work to encourage support for this legislation, but in a way that allows amendments to strengthen the language.

WE URGE YOU TO ENCOURAGE HOUSE MEMBERS TO SUPPORT THIS BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION, AND RETURN THE LEGISLATION TO ITS STRONGER POSTURE.

PLEASE CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE AT 202-224-3121 AND EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR H.R. 4681, THE PALESTINIAN ANTI-TERRORISM ACT OF 2006, AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO STRENGTHEN THIS LEGISLATION.