2013 Briefing Book - Print Version - Aipac

PEACE PROCESS
What Congress Has Done to Support the PA and
Isolate Hamas
Prevented Funding for Any Hamas-Led Government. Congress has provided significant
funding to the Palestinians since 1993, the beginning of the Oslo peace process.
The Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006 remains one of the strongest displays of
congressional action to ensure that aid does not go to Hamas or to a government
in which Hamas participates. The law strengthens the ban on direct U.S. aid to the
Palestinians—unless the president certifies that the Palestinian Authority (PA) is not
controlled by a terrorist organization—while permitting humanitarian assistance
through non-governmental organizations to continue. In 2006, the House and
Senate overwhelmingly passed resolutions that reaffirm the 2006 law and call on the
administration to suspend U.S. aid if Hamas does not meet the Quartet requirements.
The 2012 foreign aid bill approved by Congress broadens prior congressional
prohibitions on any aid to a Palestinian unity government with Hamas to include
“any power-sharing government of which Hamas is a member or that results from an
agreement with Hamas and over which Hamas exercises undue influence.”
Pressed for Isolating Hamas for Terrorist Activity. Members of Congress have sent letters,
made floor statements and passed legislation and resolutions warning of the direct threat
that Hamas’ rejectionism and violence pose to U.S. peace efforts. The United States has
consistently declared Hamas a terrorist organization and rejected any attempts to engage
Hamas. Then-President Bill Clinton first designated Hamas a terrorist organization in
1997, and this policy has been fully supported and strengthened by subsequent U.S.
administrations and by Congress.
Called on the United States and EU to Ensure that Hamas Meets Standards for
Recognition. In 2007, large majorities of the House and Senate sent letters to both the
Bush administration and to the European Union urging them not to grant any aid or
recognition to Hamas until it agrees to recognize Israel, renounce violence and accept
previous Israeli-Palestinian agreements.
Provided Aid to the Palestinian Authority. In an effort to support the Palestinian
Authority in combating terrorism and pursuing peace efforts with Israel,
Congress since the mid-1990s has committed more than $4 billion in assistance
to the Palestinians.
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