Israel Matzav

Republicans in House to block aid to 'Palestinians'

On Thursday, in a retort to Israel's announcement of new construction in Jerusalem earlier in the week, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced a $150 million bailout to the 'Palestinian Authority' to close their 'budget gap' for the remainder of the year. But if Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen gets her way, the 'Palestinians' won't get that $150 million. And they won't get any other American aid money either until they clean up their act and start fighting terror and corruption.

Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Republican who stands to take over [the Chairmanship of the House Foreign Affairs Committee] in January after her party won the House of Representatives, said she was deeply concerned over what she called the bailout of the Palestinian leadership, which she claims has failed to live up to its commitment to dismantle the Palestinian terror infrastructure, eradicate corruption and recognize Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state.

“Sending US tax dollars to the Palestinian Authority to help them cover their budget shortfall is a bailout, plain and simple," she said.

“It is deeply disturbing that the Administration is continuing to bail out the Palestinian leadership when they continue to fail to meet their commitments, under international agreements and requirements outlined in US law, including dismantling the Palestinian terrorist infrastructure, combating corruption, stopping anti-Israel and anti-Semitic incitement, and recognizing Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state.

Ros-Lehtinen, a Cuban-American from Florida, said that as long as the Palestinian leaders receive unconditional aid they have no reason to change their ways and be committed to peace.

“So long as Palestinian leaders keep being financially rewarded by the U.S. unconditionally, they will have zero reason to change their ways and truly commit to peace. It is long past time to hold Ramallah accountable,” she said.

She stressed that funds are continuing to flow into Ramallah despite reports indicating that corruption among the Palestinian leadership is increasing.

Let's hear it for the Republican controlled Congress!

Labels: Hillary Clinton, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Palestinian Authority corruption, Palestinian terror

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 2:14 AM