Will PA fight terror?
Photo: Reuters
'Aid hinges on anti-terror efforts’
Republican house majority leader wants financial assistance to Palestinians conditioned on counter-terrorism effort
WASHINGTON - Resistance to pledged financial aid to the Palestinians in Congress: Republican Majority Leader Tom DeLay wants financial assistance to the Palestinians conditioned on PA actions to curb terrorism, Ynet has found.
DeLay reportedly objects to a transfer of funds to the Palestinians for fear it could be used against Israel, but is willing to considering funding specific projects should the Palestinians show a determined counter-terror effort.
The Palestinian Authority must act against terror, not only talk, DeLay’s spokesman Dan Allan said.
Others oppose fund transfer
The administration is currently seeking to obtain approval for transferring USD 200 million to the Palestinians in the framework of the special USD 80 billion budget earmarked for the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the global war on terror.
However, DeLay seeks to separate aid to the Palestinians from the special budget so that Congress is able to monitor Palestinian activities.
Several Jewish politicians, including Democrat Tom Lantos, have also expressed opposition to the fund transfer.
Congress members doubt the PA’s commitment to take substantive steps against terrorists.
