The PA’s decision stems from its objection to the “Anti-Terrorism Clarification Act,” which was passed by Congress and ultimately signed into law by President Trump in October 2018. The Anti-Terrorism Clarification Act permits United States citizens to bring legal action against foreign entities that receive aid from the U.S., which claims that they were involved in terrorist acts in the past.
“With its despicable ‘pay to slay program,’ which disburses hundreds of millions of dollars each year to Palestinian Arab terrorists who murder Americans and Israelis, the Palestinian Authority has made it explicitly clear where its contemptible priorities lie. In light of the fact that the PA has made no secret of its intimate involvement in sanctioning terrorism, it ought to be deeply concerned about being held financially liable for glorifying terrorism and inciting violence through the application of the Anti-Terrorism Clarification Act.
“The Palestinian Authority’s refusal of U.S. security assistance further validates President Trump’s earlier decision to cut aid to the PA due to its ongoing involvement in inciting terrorism. We reiterate our call for the United States to withhold any and all foreign aid to the Palestinian Authority until its leadership stops empowering terrorists and encouraging violence against its Israeli neighbors. We are incredibly grateful that President Trump understands that the United States cannot and should not continue giving financial handouts to an entity that unabashedly supports terrorism and promotes murder and mayhem.”