Letter to the Hon. John Sullivan, Acting Secretary of State - End All Aid to Palestinians

Letter

Dear Acting Secretary Sullivan,

I am writing to urge the State Department to immediately end all foreign aid to the Palestinian Authority (PA). It is abundantly clear that despite recent congressional action, the PA and President Mahmoud Abbas have no intention of halting the despicable practice of rewarding acts of terrorism. The Palestinian Authority does not deserve a dime from American taxpayers.

The Palestinian Authority just increased its bonus payments to terrorists who kill Americans and Israelis. If we continue to provide financial aid we are directly contributing to the murder of innocent people. This absurd and outrageous policy must end.

As you know, President Trump recently signed the Taylor Force Act into law, which requires your agency to certify that the PA is meeting certain conditions by April 22nd in order to continue receiving economic assistance from the United States.

Specifically, this legislation requires you to verify that the Palestinian Authority has ceased all payments to jailed terrorists and the families of so-called "martyrs' who die committing acts of terror in Israel. This new law also requires you to certify that the PA is taking credible steps to end acts of violence against Americans and Israelis and is publicly condemning and investigating acts of terror.

And while I was a co-sponsor of this bill in the U.S. House and support its intent, I am asking you to take it one step further and immediately cease all aid, including security assistance.

Recent evidence clearly demonstrates that the Palestinian Authority will continue to do business as usual and continue its despicable practice of "pay for slay."

In fact, just last week the Palestinian Authority advertised its 2018 budget, which includes $355 million in funding to pay the salaries of convicted terrorists and their families. Shockingly, this accounts for nearly 8 percent of the PA's entire budget and 44 percent of the foreign aid it expects to receive from international donor countries, including the U.S. and our European allies.

Even more troubling, Palestinian terrorists are still eligible to receive financial rewards. A Palestinian attacker recently killed an Israeli rabbi and father of six in a drive-by shooting. The family of the terrorist, who was tracked down and killed after attacking Israeli soldiers, is now eligible for PA payments. The Palestinian Authority has also failed to publicly condemn this attack and countless others in recent history.

PA President Abbas has also continuously stated that he would rather lose his presidency than end these "martyr" payments, stating, "Even if I will have to leave my position I will not compromise on the salary of a martyr or a prisoner."

Recent evidence and the PA's troubling track record should serve as more than enough justification to terminate financial assistance to the Palestinian Authority. American tax dollars should never be used to reward terrorism.

I appreciate your attention to this important issue and look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

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