'US funds reached Hamas-linked institutions'
Washington Times reports millions of dollars in foreign aid have been given in recent years to two Palestinian universities, including Islamic University in Gaza controlled by terror organization. State Department says there is no truth to report
The Washington Times reported Monday that millions of dollars in foreign aid have been given in recent years to two Palestinian universities, at least one of them controlled by Hamas. The US State Department later said there was no truth to the report.
According to the report, the funding is being eyed by several members of Congress and their aides, who say it may violate US law.
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has provided more than $140,000 in assistance to the Islamic University, including scholarships to 49 of its students, since the 2004 Congress law, the Washington Times reported.
'Support for terrorism in any shape unacceptable'
USAID also gave $2.3 million in aid last year to the al-Quds University, which has student groups affiliated with designated terrorist organizations on campus and last month held a weeklong celebration of the man credited with designing and building the first suicide belts more than a decade ago.
"It is outrageous that US taxpayer dollars are going toward institutions that support terrorists," Rep. Gary L. Ackerman, New York Democrat and chairman of the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia, told the Washington Times.
"These loopholes must be closed so that taxpayer funds are used for their intended purpose and not to subsidize terrorism and the promotion of hatred toward Israel and the United States."
Rep. Nita M. Lowey, New York Democrat and chairwoman of the committee responsible for USAID funding, said, "It goes without saying that US taxpayer dollars should absolutely never be used for advocating or honoring terrorist activity. Support for terrorists and terrorism in any shape or form is unacceptable."
State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said US officials concluded after a review that neither institution - the Islamic University of Gaza and al-Quds University - engages in terrorist activities. A similar clearance process has been used for students who are candidates for US-supported scholarships, he said.
AP contributed to the report
