Bills
| 3.23.22

Cutting Off Funds to Hamas and The Palestinian Authority (S. 633)

Do you support or oppose this bill?

What is S. 633?

(Updated April 19, 2018)

The bill prohibits the U.S. from sending funds (including loans or debt relief) to the Palestinian Authority (PA) or any affiliated government, with the goal being to improve relations between Israel and Palestine. This funding prohibition includes the organization Hamas.


These restrictions will remain in place the President certifies that the PA has:

  • Formally recognized Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state.
  • Publicly recognized the state of Israel.
  • Abandoned terrorism.
  • Removed from duty any members of its security forces with ties to terrorism.
  • Canceled all funding for anti-American & anti-Israel incitement.
  • Publicly pledged not to wage war against Israel.
  • Respected previous diplomatic agreements.

Argument in favor

The U.S. should not be providing any aid to a Palestinian government that supports terrorism.

Argument opposed

Punishing Palestinian civilians by cutting off humanitarian aid is not going to win over the Palestinian government.

Impact

The President; State Departments; and Palestinian governments (including Hamas).

Cost of S. 633

A CBO cost estimate of this bill is currently unavailable. For the 2014 fiscal year, appropriations for aid to the Palestinians were $440 million. The Obama administration has requested $441 million for 2015, but this money has yet to be granted.

Additional Info

In Depth: Sponsoring Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) argued in a press release that the bill incentivizes the Palestinian government to comply with the U.S.'s wishes:

"The Stand with Israel Act of 2015 sends a clear message: Unless the Palestinian Authority recognizes the right of Israel to exist as a Jewish state, ceases to work with terrorist organizations such as Hamas, and agrees to a lasting peace, this legislation will halt all U.S. taxpayer dollars to the Palestinian Authority."

Of Note:

The Palestinian Authority (PA) has been governed by a unity coalition formed by political groups Hamas and Fatah since June 2014. Hamas has been designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the European Union. Consequently, Hamas’ inclusion in the coalition government puts the PA in danger of not receiving aid from the U.S. for democratic reforms, humanitarian services, and economic development.

Current law says that no aid is allowed for PA governments exposed to “undue influence” from Hamas, and Hamas is explicitly prevented from receiving aid. It is unclear whether the Fatah-Hamas unity government will cause a change in this policy going forward.

Under current law there is a presidential waiver that can be used against the ban if providing aid to the PA enhances U.S. national security. The waiver can also be used if the Secretary of State ensures that the PA is properly administering the funds.

It's unclear if the Obama administration will continue to use this waiver to provide aid to the PA. If S.2265 is enacted, that waiver would be eliminated, taking the decision out of the President’s hands.

Media:

Summary by Eric Revell
(Photo Credit: Israel Defense Forces)