Second time Paul has sought to eliminate aid to PA
Sen. Rand Paul (R., Ky.) introduced a bill late Tuesday that would fully eliminate U.S. aid to the Palestinians until their leadership withdraws a controversial bid to join the International Criminal Court (ICC), according to a copy of the legislation exclusively obtained by the Free Beacon.
Paul’s bill comes on the heels of a bid by the Palestinian Authority and its President Mahmoud Abbas to win a seat on the ICC, which would allow the Palestinians to inundate the court with charges against Israel for so-called war crimes and other perceived infractions.
The new bill also responds to a direct request from Israel that Congress immediately punish the Palestinians for circumventing the peace process and pursuing action against Israel on the world stage.
Paul’s bill, the Defend Israel by Defunding Palestinian Foreign Aid Act of 2015, would freeze $440 million in aid that is annually sent to the Palestinian Authority (PA) and its affiliates.
Virtually all channels for aid disbursement to the PA would be choked off under the bill, according to the legislation.
The bill stipulates that “no amounts” of money can be “obligated or expended to provide any assistance, loan guarantee, or debt relief to the Palestinian Authority, or any affiliated governing entity, until the Palestinian Authority withdraws its request to join the International Criminal Court,” according to the legislation.
The legislation also would tighten existing regulations government how aid is disbursed to the PA.
Rand Paul Moves to Cut U.S. Aid to the Palestinians Over ICC Bid Washington Free Beacon