Arab American Institute (AAI)
ACTION ALERT!
 
Urge Your Member to Stay Away From Anti-Palestinian Resolution (H.R. 1795)

June 4, 2001
 
If last month's vote to cut aid to Lebanon were not enough, another harmful resolution has surfaced on the congressional horizon that this time targets U.S. aid to the Palestinians. H.R. 1795, introduced by Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-NY), would apply sanctions on the Palestinian Authority and includes a measure that would prohibit virtually all U.S. economic assistance to the Palestinians. Although pro-Israel members of Congress have routinely been behind such one-sided resolutions in the past, recent developments suggest that H.R. 1795 could be more dangerous than the litany of previous initiatives.
 
Earlier in the year, coinciding with Ariel Sharon's inaugural trip to the U.S. as Israel's Prime Minister, nearly three hundred members of Congress signed a letter that placed exclusive blame on the Palestinians for the ongoing violence. Far more ominous than the blanket condemnation however was explicit language in the letter that urged President Bush to downgrade U.S. relations with the Palestinian Authority. Since then, members of Congress have become more outspoken in their one-sided criticism of the Palestinians. For example, at a congressional hearing in May, one senator urged the Administration to "close the daylight" between the United States' and the Israeli position toward the Palestinians.
 
While H.R. 1795 was introduced only a few weeks ago, it already has twenty one cosponsors and could be rushed to the House floor as a "non-controversial" item or perhaps, like the Lantos anti-Lebanon amendment, be discretely attached to a piece of existing legislation. Therefore, with Congress returning to session this week, it is vital that you contact your representative and urge him or her not to cosponsor H.R. 1795 before it is too late.
 
Action Requested
Contact your member of Congress and urge him or her not to cosponsor H.R. 1795. It is also known as the Middle East Peace Commitments Act of 2001 and was introduced by Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-NY).

Talking Points

• Cutting U.S. aid and straining U.S. ties with the Palestinians will not serve U.S. interests, nor will it alleviate Israel's security concerns. In fact, it is counterproductive. It does further damage to the U.S. image in the Arab world. Months of violence have left the Palestinian economy in shambles. The international community should assist the Palestinian Authority to be in a better position to provide for its citizens and gain their support in achieving a just and equitable peace. Secretary of State Colin Powell has already voiced his "deep concern for the dire economic situation that everyday Palestinians must bear."
• The Bush Administration has so far not supported any punitive measures against the Palestinians. Secretary Powell and several influential members of Congress have refused to advocate cutting aid to the Palestinians as an effective course of action.
• All U.S. funds for the Palestinians go to specific projects rather than to the Palestinian Authority. Furthermore, U.S. aid to the Palestinians is provided indirectly through non-governmental organizations not controlled by the PA. Every penny is regulated, completely transparent and accounted for under strict U.S. guidelines.
• Even Israelis are opposed to eliminating U.S. economic aid to the Palestinians. During an April visit to Washington, Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres reportedly told congressional leaders that the devastated Palestinian economy is not in Israel's best interest and that Congress should continue U.S. aid to the Palestinians.

Contact Information

• Find your member of Congress: http://www.house.gov/writerep
• Tips for communicating with your member of Congress

Reference

• Sample letter to Congress
• What H.R. 1795 would do
• What H.R. 1795 would cut
• AAI issue brief on U.S. foreign aid in the Middle East
   

Palestine Affairs Council

www.PalestineAffairsCouncil.org