US House of Representatives' chief calls for cut in aid to the Palestinian Authority

The President of the Foreign Relations Committee in the US House of Representatives has called for a cut in aid provided by the US to the Palestinian Authority. The announcement was made following the reconciliation agreement between Hamas and Fatah. It was argued  that to continue such assistance will violate American law.

Republican Ileana Ros-Lehtinen said in a statement: “The agreement between Fatah and Hamas means that a foreign terrorist organization which has called for the destruction of Israel, became part of the Government of the Palestinian Authority. We shouldn’t and mustn’t use US taxpayers’ money to support those who threaten the security of the United States, our interests, and our vital ally Israel.”

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According to American law, she added, a government of such a combination can’t benefit from US taxpayers’ money, “because the law stipulates that the Palestinian Authority must recognise the Jewish state of Israel and its right to exist, amongst other different things.” Thus, to abide by the current law, “the United States should cut aid to the Palestinian Authority”. The statement was posted on the US House of Representatives’ website.