[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 10 (Wednesday, February 1, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S437-S438]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 HAMAS

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I wish to take a brief moment to speak 
to the issue of U.S. foreign assistance for the West Bank and Gaza.
  Hamas's victory at the polls poses immediate challenges to the United 
States, the European Union, and other countries and organizations that 
provide humanitarian and development assistance to the Palestinian 
people. Perhaps frustrated with the corruption of the ruling Fatah 
Party, the slow pace of reforms, or, more darkly, supportive of 
indiscriminate violence against innocent Israeli men, women, and 
children through terrorist attacks on Israeli soil, Palestinians cast 
their ballots for an organization that supports terrorism and rejects 
Israel's right to exist.
  In the West Bank and Gaza, Palestinians had a choice between ballots 
and bullets--and chose both.
  As domestic and international observers appear to have deemed the 
election process as credible, Palestinian leadership choices are now 
crystal clear. But as President Bush and Secretary of State Rice have 
already said, the United States will not provide assistance to a 
foreign terrorist organization.
  The ball is now in Hamas's court. Either its leadership will renounce 
terrorism and violence against Israel in both word and deed, recognize 
Israel's right to exist, and--in President Bush's words--be a ``partner 
in peace''--or they will come to the harsh realization that governance 
in the territories absent foreign aid is an impossible task. In the 
past, American taxpayers have paid for Palestinian private sector 
development, health, community services, and higher education. This 
generous support is now in real jeopardy.
  As the chairman of the State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs 
Subcommittee, I intend to continue to follow developments in the region 
closely and to work with the administration and others to determine the 
best and most appropriate course of action regarding the provision of 
U.S. foreign assistance in the wake of the Palestinian elections.

[[Page S438]]

  To paraphrase the Israeli diplomat and politician Abba Eban, Hamas 
literally cannot afford to miss this opportunity to renounce terrorism, 
recognize Israel, and embrace responsible governance. If they do that, 
they will find the missed opportunity very costly.

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