[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 65 (Tuesday, May 23, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E935]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 PALESTINIAN ANTI-TERRORISM ACT OF 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 22, 2006

  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to voice my 
opposition to the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006.
  Madam Speaker, this bill claims that its goal is to ensure that no 
United States funding goes to support Hamaas, a foreign terrorist 
organization that has terrorized thousands and seeks the destruction of 
Israel. Were this what the bill in fact does, I would support it. 
However, the bill before us today goes much further than what is needed 
to achieve its stated, goal.
  First, H.R. 4681 severely restricts U.S. funding to the many non-
governmental organizations that provide critical aid and services to 
the Palestinian people, and allows for such funding without a 
presidential waiver for the most basic of services, such as food and 
shelter. This serves no good purpose. Limiting NGO funding in this 
manner will only increase the hardship of the Palestinian people. Yes, 
it is possible that this increased hardship may drive Palestinians to 
turn against the Hamas-controlled Palestinian government. At the same 
time, however, the cause of this additional hardship--the termination 
in U.S. humanitarian aid--will provide a ready excuse to Hamas, 
allowing it to blame the United States, and others, for its failure. 
This is not in our interest.
  We must not give this ``out'' to Hamas. Instead, we must ensure that, 
when Hamas fails in its attempt to govern, as it certainly will, it 
will not be able to blame the United States or any other party for its 
inability to deliver what the Palestinian people expected.
  Second, restricting United States aid to NGOs in this manner will 
hurt the very people we should be assisting. The Palestinian people are 
facing an economic crisis that goes beyond basic food and shelter, and 
includes education, public health, economic development and physical 
infrastructure. It is in the United States' interest to provide such 
assistance if we are in fact in support of a two-state solution and 
peace in the Middle East.

  Third, placing tight restrictions and sanctions on those parts of the 
Palestinian Authority that are not controlled by Hamas is a serious 
mistake, for it precludes our executive branch from working with 
governmental officials who may be viable options to Hamas. Other 
provisions in the bill--restricting the ability of all Palestinian 
Authority representatives to travel in the United States, interfering 
with the participation of Palestinian Authority representatives in 
international organizations, and refusing assistance to the Pestinian 
judiciary--are petty actions that will not, in any way, advance peace 
in the Middle East.
  There is a high likelihood that as a result of this bill, Hamas and 
the Palestinian Authority will turn around and seek the support from 
wealthy Arab and Muslim states, as well as extremist governments, like 
Iran and Syria. The message that this bill sends will push the 
Palestinian people away from us and quite possibly, the peace process. 
It will isolate them and force them to become more dependent on Hamas 
and their extremist supporters. This is not in our interest.
  Madam Speaker, it is clear that the purpose of our every response to 
the Hamas electoral victory and to the fact that it now controls the 
Palestinian Authority must be (i) to deny any form of direct assistance 
until Hamas renounces its terrorist traditions and policy, (ii) to 
assist in the delivery of humanitarian aid and relief to the 
Palestinian people, and (iii) at least for as long as Hamas does not 
actively engage in or support violence, to refrain from any actions 
that will deepen the divide between the Palestinian people and this 
country, thereby allowing some room for progress to occur. The bill 
under consideration fails to meet two of these criteria. For these 
reasons, I will not support it.

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