Obama hides $200 million for Hamas in 'supplemental' Iraq and Afghanistan appropriation
I wonder if this is something else he promised when he bowed to King Abdullah at the G-20 in London.President Obama has hidden a supplemental $200 million for the 'Palestinian Authority' in a 'supplemental budget' for American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. By putting the money there, it is less likely to be subject to congressional scrutiny. Given that Obama originally wanted to give the PA $800 million, I suppose we shouldn't complain too much.
Given that (a) in the past, money given to Fatah has been used to pay Hamas salaries, (b) money was last transferred to Gaza for that purpose in February, which means that the quarterly salaries are due, (c) at least 40% of the 'Palestinian Authority's 'budget' is spent in Gaza, and (d) the Netanyahu government is a lot less likely than its predecessor to transfer cash to Gaza, my guess is that a major chunk of this money is going to Gaza for 'salaries.'
But Omri at Mere Rhetoric has lots of interesting speculation about other ways the 'Palestinian Authority' may spend the money, along with some ways in which the American budgetary process is being used to hurt Israel, and you should definitely read the whole thing (Hat Tip: Gateway Pundit).
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 7:23 PM
2 Comments:
The Israel-bashing is not just talk.
What could go wrong, indeed.
Hopenchange, anyone?
Did you guys even bother to read it?
"This provision prohibits the use of Supplemental funds for assistance to Hamas, Hamas-controlled entities, or any power-sharing government of which Hamas is a member. Assistance may be provided to a power-sharing government acceptable to the United States if the President certifies to the standards in section 620K(b)(1)(A) and (B) of the Foreign Assistance Act. It is expected that such a power-sharing government would speak authoritatively for the entire Palestinian Authority government, including its ministries, agencies and instrumentalities. This provision also would allow the President to utilize the waiver authority provided in the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006 for the purposes provided."
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/assets/budget_amendments/supplemental_04_09_09.pdf
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