House Subcommittee Unveils U.S. Foreign Aid Package That Fully Funds Israel, Sets Pre-Conditions On Funds For Palestinians, Egypt…
- A brief rundown of the main pre-conditions. The Palestinians can’t seek UN statehood recognition or allow Hamas into the government, Egypt would forfeit U.S. aid if they elect the Muslim Brotherhood into power.
WASHINGTON — A US House subcommittee unveiled a foreign assistance package Tuesday that fully funds aid to Israel but gives money to its neighbors on conditions, including a provision that would bar the Palestinian Authority from receiving aid if it seeks statehood at the UN or includes Hamas in a unity government.The bill, which will be reviewed by the US House Appropriations Subcommittee for Foreign Operations on Wednesday, includes $3.075 billion for Israel as part of the 10-year memorandum of understanding between the two countries.It also contains $513 million for the Palestinian Authority, though in order to receive any of the money dedicated for security assistance, the secretary of state must certify that the PA “is not attempting to establish or seek recognition at the United Nations of a Palestinian state outside of an agreement negotiated between Israel and the Palestinians.”The Palestinians have announced they plan to seek unilateral recognition at the UN for a state this September, a move opposed by Israel as well as the US.In addition, the Palestinians would forfeit the American economic assistance should “any power-sharing government of which Hamas is a member or that results from an agreement with Hamas” come to power.Earlier this year, Hamas and Fatah signed such a deal, but it has yet to be implemented.Egypt, for its part, is due to receive $1.55b., roughly consistent with allocations in previous years, but that money is conditioned on its keeping its peace treaty with Israel, among other measures. The $250m. in economic assistance that comprises that funding would be additionally put on condition that no foreign terrorist organization heads the government.Though whether the Muslim Brotherhood qualifies as a terrorist organization is a matter of debate.Subcommittee chairwoman Kay Granger (R-Texas) told The Jerusalem Post that language would apply to a parliament in which the brotherhood held the majority. She said the description was vague at this point because elections had yet to be held in Egypt.
