Crowley, Weiner Tell Bush, ‘Stop $ Aid To Anti-Israel Terrorists’

Congressmembers Joseph

In the wake of the anti-Israel terrorist organization Hamas winning control of the Palestinian Authority government last w e e k , Q u e e n s C o n g r e s s m e m b e r s Anthony Weiner and Joseph Crowley urged President George W. Bush to cut off financial aid to the political faction.

Last Friday, the president said in Washington that aid would not be advanced to the Palestinian Authority if Hamas did not renounce violence or its commitment to destroy Israel.

“That’s their decision to make,” he was quoted on a television broadcast. “But we won’t be providing help to a government that wants to destroy our ally and friend.”

Meanwhile, even before Hamas had formed a government, it was reported that the organization’s supporters had exchanged fire with Palestinian Authority security forces.

Last Sunday, a Hamas political leader brazenly announced that Hamas planned to merge its military wing into a new army. The political

leader, Khaled Meshaal, said his suicide bombers would use force if necessary.

Yet the Palestinian Authority was reported to be bankrupt with a $69 million deficit this month alone.

Congressmembers Anthony Weiner

W e i n e r (D–Queens/Brooklyn) said that last year, the United States provided $50 million to the Palestinian Authority. He charged, “We can be sure that Hamas will do all it can to derail efforts to establish peace in the region. Hamas cannot be allowed to further destabilize this region. The Bush Administration must immediately halt direct aid to the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and Gaza.”

Crowley (D–Queens/The Bronx) stated, “Democracies cannot be expected to work with a Palestinian coalition government that is led by a party actively planning and carrying out terrorist attacks.” He said he had joined in calling on Bush to cease all direct U.S. financial aid to the Palestinian Authority until Hamas renounces all terrorist activities and recognizes the State of Israel.

Crowley serves on the House International Relations Committee and the subcommittee on the

Middle East and Central Asia.

—John Toscano