House Votes To Withold Palestinian Aid Under Hamas

[Annie]

A bit of good news:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060216/pl_afp/usisraelpalestinian

US House votes to withhold Palestinian aid

1 hour, 15 minutes ago

The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to withhold direct US foreign aid from the Palestinian Authority unless Hamas revokes its call for the destruction of Israel.

Lawmakers in the lower chamber of the US Congress approved the measure by a voice vote of 418 to one. The Senate has yet to vote on the measure.

The move came as the White House considers cutting aid to the Hamas-led Palestinian government, after the militant Islamist organization won a shock landslide victory in Palestinian legislative elections on January 25.

The US administration has publicly and privately warned of possible cuts in US assistance unless the group abandons violence.

The House measure approved Wednesday states that "no United States assistance should be provided directly to the Palestinian Authority if any representative political party holding a majority of parliamentary seats within the Palestinian Authority maintains a position calling for the destruction of Israel."

House Majority Leader John Boehner, speaking before the vote, said the measure would send a message to Hamas that Washington means business as it presses the Islamist group to break with its past views on Israel's right to exist.

"The United States is encouraged by the open, free, and fair elections held by the Palestinian people, and we will continue to support their democratic reform efforts," Boehner said in a statement earlier Wednesday.

"At the same time, the new government must be aware of both its domestic responsibilities and international obligations," he said.

"The responsibility of self-government has real consequences for both Hamas and the future of the Palestinian people. Until Hamas changes course -- dismantles its terrorist organization, and agrees to work towards a peaceful settlement with Israel -- no taxpayer money should be provided to support the Palestinian government.

"Our message is clear," the Republican leader added. "The United States does not and will not support terrorist organizations."

 

[Hobbit]

Time for me to do the happy dance.

 

[5stringJeff]

"Lawmakers in the lower chamber of the US Congress approved the measure by a voice vote of 418 to one."

Who was the one?

 

[Annie]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4726362.stm

Palestinians to give back US aid
By Jonathan Beale
BBC News, Washington

The Palestinian Authority has agreed to return $50m (£28.7m) of American aid following a request from Washington.

The US State Department said that it did not want the money going to a Hamas-led government that refused to recognise Israel.

The US has already said that it is reviewing all aid to the Palestinians in light of Hamas' election victory.

As proof that it is serious, it has asked for $50m of aid to the Palestinian Authority to be returned.

The money was to be spent on regenerating the Palestinian economy following Israel's withdrawal from Gaza.

However, most of the $50m is still in the bank and the Palestinian Authority has agreed to return it.

President Bush has already made clear that he will not deal with Hamas, which the US lists as a terrorist group, until it renounces violence and recognises Israel.

However, the State Department says it will continue to work to meet the humanitarian needs of ordinary Palestinians.