US Congress Puts Hold on Aid to PA
bs”d
The US Congress has decided to put a hold on aid to the Palestinian Authority, further complicating US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s efforts to bring Palestinians and Israelis back to the negotiating table despite raging Gaza violence.
While in Jerusalem this week, Secretary Rice promised that American aid was on the way to the Palestinian Authority. But Congress wants better clarification on how the money will be used before releasing the funds.
Nita Lowey, chairwoman of the US House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, has placed a hold on $150 million in economic assistance to the PA until the State Department provides further clarification of how the money will be dispensed and until it has certified that a single treasury account for the funds has been created, among other requirements.
Last week, US President George W. Bush exercised a waiver allowing funds to go to the PA in the first place, necessitated by congressional concerns that such money could wind up in the hands of terrorists. Earlier this week, Rice announced that she had also signed a waiver allowing the full allocation of US military aid to flow to Egypt despite Congress’s criticism that the country wasn’t doing enough to stop smuggling into Gaza.
Israel enjoys very strong support among US Congressmen who are justifiably concerned about American money and supplies ending up in the hands of terrorists. After all, it’s already happened and Hamas openly boasts about it.
They should be concerned! I’m glad they are.
Re-posted with permission from www.lekarev.org.
“Rice announced that she had also signed a waiver allowing the full allocation of US military aid to flow to Egypt despite Congress’s criticism that the country wasn’t doing enough to stop smuggling into Gaza.”
She just handed it straight to the terrorists. Why is it not possible to cut off aid – how would that be too harsh? We don’t support Iran/Syria, why the PA? I understand the humanitarian needs but is the aid even getting to the people in need? It’s a totally corrupt gov’t.
The PA is not a legitimate peace partner. Why does the Knesset keep trying – to keep giving the PA Jewish land for peace, and then to be rewarded with terror! I know I’m sharing an extremist view, but the situation is extreme.
Forgive my outrage, I have no one who understands my frustration around here, so I come here in hopes someone will hear and know, not all Gentiles want the destruction of the state of Israel. Some of us do pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
bs”d
Michelle,
I know that most Gentiles in America don’t want to see the destruction of Israel, and are very sympathetic to the Jewish people as a whole.
Why? Why does the Israel government continue? Why does the US continue? I’ve heard so many theories, but in the end, I think only HKB”H knows.
Don’t despair. He is also the Boss. Everyone who has excused evil, justified evil and enabled evil will be repaid in kind. He is Just.
I wonder if the Knesset experiences arm twisting on the part of other world powers, including this country. If that is the case, my best guess would be because of a desire to appease the Arab world. No country in this day believes they can win a war without oil. You might want to read The Secret War Against the Jews by Mark Aarons and John Loftus, for some insight in this regard. The battle of oil has been a long and dirty one. I hope Israel is an exception to that. We win when we are on G-d’s side. But then again, I hear Canada is our largest oil supplier…so I’m left guessing again.
We’ll all know the answers someday. It will be an interesting day. This world is about preparation for The World To Come. What we need to do is the Right Thing every day, here a now, and in the end, He will make sure everything else follows. It all starts with ourselves, then our families and it moves out from there.
Thank you, your words help.
I will read the book you suggested. I have a hard time believing this is all over oil – we need to break our ties with OPEC – but what do I know, I’m speaking from a place of ignorance. I will read.
You are right…I know you are right. This world is about preparation for The World To Come – I’ve often called it bootcamp. Please know, my prayers are with you and your people.
bs”d
Michelle,
It’s not totally about oil. If oil wasn’t a major concern, then there would probably be some other “compelling reason” why the Jewish people would be so expendable. But oil, for now anyway, is a big factor. The bulk of the problem is simply the spiritual sickness we all suffer from.