Blunt bill would ensure Palestinian Authority has stopped rewarding terrorism

Legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) on Wednesday would require the secretary of state to certify that the Palestinian Authority has stopped providing monetary rewards to terrorists and family members.

The Taylor Force Act, which Blunt introduced with U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Dan Coats (R-IN), is named in honor of Taylor Force, a former U.S. Army officer killed by a Palestinian terrorist while on a university trip to Israel.

“Israel is one of our closest allies and a stalwart of democracy in the Middle East,” Blunt said. “It would be absolutely unconscionable to allow U.S. taxpayer dollars to be used by the Palestinian Authority to reward convicted terrorists for acts of violence against Israel or the United States. I urge all of my colleagues to back this effort to hold the Palestinian Authority accountable.”

Under the bill, the secretary of state would be directed to ensure that the Palestinian Authority has taken credible steps to end acts of violence against U.S. and Israeli citizens.

“This legislation shines a light on a very real problem,” Graham said. “Why is the Palestinian Authority paying young Palestinians to commit acts of terror against innocent Americans like Taylor Force or Israelis? The Palestinians need to decide – do they condemn these horrible acts or do they reward them? You can’t be a partner in peace when you are paying people to commit terrorist acts. The choice the Palestinians make will determine the type of relationship they have with the United States in the years to come.”