The Senate bill bans contacts with Hamas until the terror group renounces violence and officially recognizes Israel's right to exist. The bill also grants U.S. President George W. Bush the right to institute sanctions against the PA.
A similar bill was passed by the House of Representatives last month, but the current bill allows for greater assistance to non-governmental groups operating in PA-controlled areas. The State Department had criticized the former legislation. Both bills would prevent the granting of visas to Hamas officials, limit the travel of such officials at the United Nations, and prevent the PA from operating an office in the U.S. Both versions allow for support to be granted to PLO chairman Mahmoud Abbas. The discrepancies between the two bills will have to be worked out before the legislation is brought to Bush for his signature.
The Senate bill was co-sponsored by Sen. Mitch McConnell (R, Ky. )and Sen. Joseph Biden (D, Del.). "This legislation urges the current Palestinian government to take another step toward joining the community of peaceful nations and a step away from the ranks of terrorism," McConnell said.
AIPAC backed both bills, but the left-leaning Israel Policy Forum lent its support only to the Senate version.
EU Grants Aid
The European Union's executive arm will grant approximately $50 million to the Hamas-led PA to pay electricity, fuel and water bills, according to an announcement by the organization Saturday. Another $50 million will be distributed for "social allowances." The funds would allegedly be granted on a case-by-case basis to the needy, including to families of terrorists and Hamas officials.
Some $15 million is to be used to provide technical assistance, equipment and other support for PLO leader Abbas, who is still seen as a moderate despite the active participation of his Fatah organization in terrorist attacks against Israelis.