Palestinian Move at ICC May Trigger Suspension of U.S. Aid

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international-criminal-courtOn Thursday, the PA submitted evidence to the International Criminal Court (ICC) of alleged Israeli war crimes.

“By formally submitting allegations against Israeli forces to the ICC Chief Prosecutor, President Abbas has triggered a provision in U.S. law that suspends all economic assistance to the PA,” Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY), the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, said in a statement.

Lowey said Congress crafted the law to prevent U.S. tax dollars from rewarding “purposely provocative, unilateral steps” that threaten peace negotiations.

“President Abbas’ actions…reveal his willingness to try to discredit Israel in the international community at the expense of the economic and humanitarian wellbeing of the Palestinian people,” Lowey added.

The chairwoman of the Appropriations panel with jurisdiction over foreign aid, Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas), said current law “prohibits economic assistance to the Palestinian Authority if they initiate or actively support an International Criminal Court investigation.”

State Department spokesman Edgar Vasquez told Al-Monitor that the U.S. will “continue to provide critical assistance to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza….We do not consider the relevant restrictions on assistance to the Palestinians to have been triggered.” A PLO official claimed they merely provided “information requested by the International Criminal Court.”

Despite the Obama administration’s continued support, key lawmakers have the ability to unilaterally ask the State Department to hold funds, a request which is almost never refused. Last year lawmakers temporarily blocked $230 million in aid for the West Bank and Gaza.

The U.S. has “made clear that we oppose actions against Israel at the ICC as counterproductive,” National Security Council spokesman Alistair Baskey said Thursday.

{Andy Heller-Matzav.com Newscenter}


1 COMMENT

  1. Not for long!
    When Bambi turns over in bed one night he’ll revwrse that! The Palestinians are getting their US tax dollar aid!

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