Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US Permanent Representative to the UN, rightfully criticized Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas for his antisemitic remarks comparing Israelis to Nazis. However, it is ironic that she then called for foreign aid to the same Palestinian Authority that Abbas leads, despite his extended and undemocratic four-year term. This becomes even more distressing considering President Joe Biden’s recent launch of the National Strategy To Counter Antisemitism, which aims to address the rise in Jew-hatred. Nevertheless, Biden’s team continues to provide material support to the Palestinian Authority, even as it engages in antisemitic speech and funds terrorism against Jews through its “pay-for-slay” program.
Congress has already recognized that the PA’s terror payments incite violence and passed the Taylor Force Act to restrict economic assistance that directly benefits the Palestinian Authority until it stops incentivizing terror. However, in recent months, the West Bank has witnessed a series of fatal Palestinian terror attacks, with the perpetrators and their families eligible for PA payments. The passage of the Taylor Force Act in 2018 highlighted the refusal of the Palestinian Authority to cease systematic terror funding.
The law specifically urges the US UN representative to use their influence and voice at the United Nations, as well as for the State Department to engage in bilateral and multilateral efforts to address the issue of payment for terrorism and push governments to stop funding the PA. Unfortunately, the Biden administration is violating these requirements by renewing aid to Palestinian entities and organizations like the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, potentially indirectly supporting the pay-to-slay program. Hypothetically, if the PA does not need to spend money due to a UNRWA program, it can allocate more funds to pay-for-slay payments.
In her speech on May 24, Thomas-Greenfield not only skirted the legal restrictions set by the Taylor Force Act but also directly contradicted its intended purpose. While condemning Abbas for his antisemitism, she also called for increased funding for the Palestinian Authority. Instead of highlighting the atrocities of the pay-for-slay program, she unintentionally admitted that the PA is facing a severe crisis that is further destabilizing the West Bank. If the PA is indeed facing a financial crisis, it should prioritize cutting its payments to convicted murderers.
It is evident that the Biden administration is fully aware that Abbas and his associates fund terrorism. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf openly acknowledged in recent congressional testimony that the PA continues to provide financial support to terrorists and their families. Senator Ted Cruz was right to criticize the administration’s decision to waive sanctions on Hussein al-Sheikh, the secretary general of the Palestinian Liberation Organization Executive Committee, allowing him to travel to Washington. Leaf claims that the Biden team is working to end the pay-to-slay program but has not yet succeeded.
The Biden administration should fully comply with the Taylor Force Act and use all available means to put an end to the PA’s pay-for-slay program. US officials also have a responsibility to hold Abbas accountable for his antisemitic remarks and incitement of violence. In addition to that, the Biden team should reverse its support for UNRWA to exert pressure on Abbas to change his ways. It is deeply concerning that a senior US government official would begin a speech condemning antisemitism but end it by calling for support for an organization responsible for such actions. This demonstrates a shocking lack of awareness and potentially highlights the hypocrisy within the administration.
Most importantly, the policies and statements of the Biden administration undermine efforts to combat Palestinian terrorism. As long as there are funders like Biden and his team incentivizing violence, the cycle of violence will continue. It is imperative that these actions are reevaluated to ensure a more effective approach in addressing the issue at hand.
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