NY Republicans lead House passage of bill to prevent funds aiding Palestinian Authority; terrorism

The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday passed the bipartisan Taylor Force Act, legislation to protect Israelis and Americans in Israel from terrorism, with support from Republican members of New York’s congressional delegation.

H.R. 1164 would halt U.S. financial assistance to the Palestinian Authority (PA) until it stops compensating terrorists for violent acts.

The bill is named for United States Military Academy at West Point graduate Taylor Force, who was studying in Israel toward a master’s degree when a Palestinian assailant stabbed him to death in an act of terror, according to the office of Rep. Dan Donovan (R-NY).

Donovan, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, cosponsored the bill with his New York Republican colleagues Reps. Lee Zeldin and John Faso.

Zeldin, the co-chairman of the House Republican Israel Caucus and member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, noted that Force was brutally murdered by a Palestinian terrorist. “In fact, the Palestinian Authority incites this type of violence and financially rewards the families of these terrorists, just like the one who murdered Taylor,” he said.

“Terrorists who murder innocent Americans and Israelis should not be celebrated or financially rewarded, especially not with U.S. tax dollars,” Zeldin added.

Under the bill, U.S. aid to the West Bank and Gaza that directly benefits the PA would resume if the U.S. Secretary of State certifies that the PA is acting to stop violence against Israelis and Americans, has terminated compensation to terrorists for their violent acts, has revoked laws compensating prisoners who committed terrorist acts, and has publicly condemned acts of violence.

“The Palestinian Authority’s pay-for-slay program for terrorists is reprehensible,” Donovan said. “This bill rightfully ensures that American dollars will no longer fund a regime that promotes attacks on the innocent. Those who encourage violence must be held accountable.”

Faso said, “The Palestinian Authority sends a terrible message by subsidizing the families of recently deceased terrorists. The subsidies are a direct contrast to the interests of peace. I am glad the House came together to send a unified and bipartisan message that America is committed to peace in the region.”