Read on Twitter
This is an excellent article from 2 weeks ago by @smflatow about “pay-to-slay” that deserves MUCH more attention.
I would encourage everyone to read it, and then I want to provide more background & context to further describe what's happening. https://www.jns.org/opinion/return-to-rewarding-terrorism/
I would encourage everyone to read it, and then I want to provide more background & context to further describe what's happening. https://www.jns.org/opinion/return-to-rewarding-terrorism/
Since the inception of the PA, the US has provided 4 types of aid to Palestinians:
1. economic/humanitarian aid
2. aid for Palestinian security forces/training/cooperation w/ Israel
3. aid to the UN refugee agency (UNRWA)
4. aid for coexistence programs.
https://emetonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Pay4Slay_Fact-Sheet-FINAL.pdf
1. economic/humanitarian aid
2. aid for Palestinian security forces/training/cooperation w/ Israel
3. aid to the UN refugee agency (UNRWA)
4. aid for coexistence programs.
https://emetonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Pay4Slay_Fact-Sheet-FINAL.pdf
Here here is a short history of US aid to Palestinians during the Trump presidency - before and after the Democrats took control of the House of Representatives.
Jan 2017
In the last hours of his Presidency, Obama authorized $221M in economic aid to the PA, despite objections by Republicans, who placed a hold on the aid over concerns about how the money would be spent.
Trump froze the aid days after taking office. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/donald-trump-freeze-barack-obama-aid-package-palestinian-authoritiy-221-million-white-house-a7546746.html
In the last hours of his Presidency, Obama authorized $221M in economic aid to the PA, despite objections by Republicans, who placed a hold on the aid over concerns about how the money would be spent.
Trump froze the aid days after taking office. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/donald-trump-freeze-barack-obama-aid-package-palestinian-authoritiy-221-million-white-house-a7546746.html
Mar 2018
Trump signed into law the Taylor Force Act, cutting aid that directly benefited the PA unless it ended "pay-to-slay."
But Democrats inserted various exceptions, such as aid for hospitals, water projects, security, refugees & ppl to ppl programs. https://www.sun-sentinel.com/florida-jewish-journal/fl-fpg-jjps-taylorforce2-0328-20180323-story.html
Trump signed into law the Taylor Force Act, cutting aid that directly benefited the PA unless it ended "pay-to-slay."
But Democrats inserted various exceptions, such as aid for hospitals, water projects, security, refugees & ppl to ppl programs. https://www.sun-sentinel.com/florida-jewish-journal/fl-fpg-jjps-taylorforce2-0328-20180323-story.html
Aug 2018
Trump cut $225M in economic aid to the PA and redirected the aid to other projects in order to pressure the PA to negotiate peace and stop the “pay-to-slay” policy of paying salaries to terrorists & families of terrorists who murdered Israelis. https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-cuts-aid-to-palestinians-by-more-than-200-million/
Trump cut $225M in economic aid to the PA and redirected the aid to other projects in order to pressure the PA to negotiate peace and stop the “pay-to-slay” policy of paying salaries to terrorists & families of terrorists who murdered Israelis. https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-cuts-aid-to-palestinians-by-more-than-200-million/
Aug 2018
Trump ended all US funding to UNRWA.
In Jan 2018, Trump provided $60M to UNRWA but withheld $65M. He demanded reforms and more burden-sharing.
In FY2017, the US contributed $359M to UNRWA.
Since 1950, the US had given over $6.2B to UNRWA. https://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/US-announces-immediate-end-to-UNRWA-funding-566245
Trump ended all US funding to UNRWA.
In Jan 2018, Trump provided $60M to UNRWA but withheld $65M. He demanded reforms and more burden-sharing.
In FY2017, the US contributed $359M to UNRWA.
Since 1950, the US had given over $6.2B to UNRWA. https://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/US-announces-immediate-end-to-UNRWA-funding-566245
UNRWA schools indoctrinated Palestinian kids to hate Israel & Jews.
UNRWA employees praised terrorism & called for Israel's annihilation. Some employees were members of Hamas.
UNRWA facilities were used by Hamas to store weapons/launch attacks on Israel. https://www.jpost.com/opinion/column-one-why-the-concern-for-unrwa-561803
UNRWA employees praised terrorism & called for Israel's annihilation. Some employees were members of Hamas.
UNRWA facilities were used by Hamas to store weapons/launch attacks on Israel. https://www.jpost.com/opinion/column-one-why-the-concern-for-unrwa-561803
Sept. 2018
Trump cut $10M in funding for coexistence programs, known as "Conflict Management & Mitigation Program."
CMM was created in 2004 to “promote peaceful coexistence among Israelis & Palestinians and improve mutual understanding & dialogue.” https://www.jta.org/2018/09/16/politics/u-s-cuts-10-million-israeli-palestinian-coexistence-programs
Trump cut $10M in funding for coexistence programs, known as "Conflict Management & Mitigation Program."
CMM was created in 2004 to “promote peaceful coexistence among Israelis & Palestinians and improve mutual understanding & dialogue.” https://www.jta.org/2018/09/16/politics/u-s-cuts-10-million-israeli-palestinian-coexistence-programs
CMM was managed by USAID, which granted over $100M to various NGO’s, incl. over $3.7M to Parent Circle Family Forum, which blames Israel for the I/P conflict and draws a moral equivalence btw families of terror victims & families of dead terrorists. https://www.usaid.gov/documents/1883/conflict-management-and-mitigation-program-fact-sheet-0
In 2013 and 2017, NGO Monitor published reports which detailed US govt. funded NGO’s that were involved in delegitimization of Israel or anti-Israel activities. The reports included NGO’s funded by USAID thru the CMM program.
https://www.ngo-monitor.org/data/images/File/NGO_Monitor_report-USG_funding.pdf https://www.ngo-monitor.org/reports/transparency-due-diligence-u-s-government-funding-israeli-palestinian-ngos-2016-update/
https://www.ngo-monitor.org/data/images/File/NGO_Monitor_report-USG_funding.pdf https://www.ngo-monitor.org/reports/transparency-due-diligence-u-s-government-funding-israeli-palestinian-ngos-2016-update/
Jan 2019
Trump ended all $60M in security aid to the PA, which virtually ended all forms of US aid to Palestinians.
Throughout 2018, House & Senate Democrats wrote several letters to Trump opposing the cuts.
But in 2019, Dems took control of the House. https://www.jns.org/official-us-security-funds-to-pa-cut-off-usaid-shutters-west-bank-gaza-operations/
Trump ended all $60M in security aid to the PA, which virtually ended all forms of US aid to Palestinians.
Throughout 2018, House & Senate Democrats wrote several letters to Trump opposing the cuts.
But in 2019, Dems took control of the House. https://www.jns.org/official-us-security-funds-to-pa-cut-off-usaid-shutters-west-bank-gaza-operations/
Once the Democrats took control of the House in early 2019, they immediately tried to restore $227M in economic aid for Palestinians.
The final bill negotiated w/ Republicans included $150M in aid - $75M in economic aid & $75M in security aid. https://theunionjournal.com/us-congress-to-give-palestinians-150m-in-aid-next-year-middle-east-monitor/
The final bill negotiated w/ Republicans included $150M in aid - $75M in economic aid & $75M in security aid. https://theunionjournal.com/us-congress-to-give-palestinians-150m-in-aid-next-year-middle-east-monitor/
July 2020
Two weeks ago, House Democrats on the Appropriations Comm. passed an amendment to a $66B spending bill calling for $225M in aid to Palestinians.
Chairwoman Nita Lowey said her amendment would strip authority from the Trump adm to suspend the aid. https://thehill.com/policy/international/506595-house-democrats-push-for-resuming-aid-to-palestinians-in-spending-bill
Two weeks ago, House Democrats on the Appropriations Comm. passed an amendment to a $66B spending bill calling for $225M in aid to Palestinians.
Chairwoman Nita Lowey said her amendment would strip authority from the Trump adm to suspend the aid. https://thehill.com/policy/international/506595-house-democrats-push-for-resuming-aid-to-palestinians-in-spending-bill
Appropriations Committee Press Release:
“The bill also includes $225M for humanitarian & development programs to help address the needs of the Palestinian people, which may include support for UNRWA.”
Notice the words: "may include support for UNRWA." https://appropriations.house.gov/news/press-releases/appropriations-committee-releases-fiscal-year-2021-state-and-foreign-operations
“The bill also includes $225M for humanitarian & development programs to help address the needs of the Palestinian people, which may include support for UNRWA.”
Notice the words: "may include support for UNRWA." https://appropriations.house.gov/news/press-releases/appropriations-committee-releases-fiscal-year-2021-state-and-foreign-operations
So Democrats want to resume aid to Palestinians (through NGO’s) AND resume aid to UNRWA.
When Trump cut aid to PA & UNRWA in 2018, he was condemned worldwide.
Now, Democrats are quietly attempting to restore the aid, and it barely gets any media coverage.
But there's more...
When Trump cut aid to PA & UNRWA in 2018, he was condemned worldwide.
Now, Democrats are quietly attempting to restore the aid, and it barely gets any media coverage.
But there's more...
The $66B spending bill passed by the House subcommittee ALSO included $250B for “Partnership for Peace Act,” which would allocate $50B/year for 5 years for Israeli/Palestinian “people to people dialogue” programs and Palestinian business development. https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-house-subcommittee-advances-250m-for-israeli-palestinian-dialogue-programs/
The Partnership for Peace Act was promoted by ALLMEP, a coalition of “Israeli-Palestinian peacebuilders” that includes over 100 NGO’s.
ALLMEP also lobbied for "Conflict Mgmt/Mitigation" program, and many NGO’s that received CMM funding belonged to ALLMEP. http://www.allmep.org/house-approps-committee-advances-meppa/
ALLMEP also lobbied for "Conflict Mgmt/Mitigation" program, and many NGO’s that received CMM funding belonged to ALLMEP. http://www.allmep.org/house-approps-committee-advances-meppa/
The ALLMEP coalition includes:
Parent Circle Family Forum (discussed earlier)
Churches for ME Peace (which supports BDS)
Combatants for ME Peace (whose founder called the IDF a “terrorist org”)
Sikkuy (which accused Israel of “exploiting” the Holocaust.) https://www.ngo-monitor.org/ngos/alliance_for_middle_east_peace_allmep_/
Parent Circle Family Forum (discussed earlier)
Churches for ME Peace (which supports BDS)
Combatants for ME Peace (whose founder called the IDF a “terrorist org”)
Sikkuy (which accused Israel of “exploiting” the Holocaust.) https://www.ngo-monitor.org/ngos/alliance_for_middle_east_peace_allmep_/
Now, let’s review how the aid sent to the PA by the US & EU was spent.
"In Ramallah & Hebron, (Palestinian) interviewees noted that they often hear about int'l aid through the media and on the Internet, but that they themselves never benefit from it." https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/corruption-a-major-cause-of-palestinian-suffering-comment-588850
"In Ramallah & Hebron, (Palestinian) interviewees noted that they often hear about int'l aid through the media and on the Internet, but that they themselves never benefit from it." https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/corruption-a-major-cause-of-palestinian-suffering-comment-588850
Cong. Steve Chabot (R-OH):
“The corruption within the Palestinian political establishment has been endemic for decades. Reports suggest Pres. Abbas has used his position of power to line his own pockets as well as those of his cronies, incl. his sons.”
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-112hhrg74960/html/CHRG-112hhrg74960.htm
“The corruption within the Palestinian political establishment has been endemic for decades. Reports suggest Pres. Abbas has used his position of power to line his own pockets as well as those of his cronies, incl. his sons.”
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-112hhrg74960/html/CHRG-112hhrg74960.htm
“When it comes to humanitarian aid to the PA, transparency does not exist.”
Former PA Chairman Arafat “was estimated by US investigators to be worth btw. $1B and $3B.”
“Under Arafat’s successor, M. Abbas, nepotism reached every level of civil service." https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/the-palestinian-authority-donor-machine-615677
Former PA Chairman Arafat “was estimated by US investigators to be worth btw. $1B and $3B.”
“Under Arafat’s successor, M. Abbas, nepotism reached every level of civil service." https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/the-palestinian-authority-donor-machine-615677
“Abbas employed his 2 sons to set up businesses that dominate Palestinian commerce.”
"USAID provided the PA w/ over $5B over the last 25 yrs & paid PA debts to companies controlled by Abbas’ sons.”
“The wealth of Abbas’ sons is estimated at $300M.” https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/the-palestinian-authority-donor-machine-615677
"USAID provided the PA w/ over $5B over the last 25 yrs & paid PA debts to companies controlled by Abbas’ sons.”
“The wealth of Abbas’ sons is estimated at $300M.” https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/the-palestinian-authority-donor-machine-615677
Acc. to @PalWatch, PA financial records from 2011-2018 revealed that the PA donated $2B to the PLO, an org. that includes 2 terrorist groups.
"Donations to the PA to cover legitimate expenses allow the PA to divert resources for illegitimate purposes.” https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/palestinian-authority-spent-nis-7b-to-fund-terror-report-607277
"Donations to the PA to cover legitimate expenses allow the PA to divert resources for illegitimate purposes.” https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/palestinian-authority-spent-nis-7b-to-fund-terror-report-607277
In 2016, the PA paid terrorist prisoners $135M and families of terrorists $183M.
In 2017, the amounts paid were $158M & $197M, respectively.
In 2018 & 2019, amounts paid to prisoners were $143M & $148M, respectively. Amts paid to families not available.
https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/palestinian-authority-financing-of-terrorism
In 2017, the amounts paid were $158M & $197M, respectively.
In 2018 & 2019, amounts paid to prisoners were $143M & $148M, respectively. Amts paid to families not available.
https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/palestinian-authority-financing-of-terrorism
Here's an example of "pay-to-slay:"
The terrorists who bombed Sbarro pizza shop in 2001 were paid $294K as of 2018.
The bomb-maker, A. Bargouti, received $192K.
A. Tamimi, who planned the attack, received $53K.
The family of the bomber received $50K. https://palwatch.org/page/14563
The terrorists who bombed Sbarro pizza shop in 2001 were paid $294K as of 2018.
The bomb-maker, A. Bargouti, received $192K.
A. Tamimi, who planned the attack, received $53K.
The family of the bomber received $50K. https://palwatch.org/page/14563
The Democrats’ desire to fully restore all forms of aid to Palestinians raises several questions:
How will Dems pressure the PA to stop “pay-to-slay”?
How will Dems pressure the PA to reform its institutions and stop corruption, nepotism, & terror-financing?
How will Dems pressure the PA to stop “pay-to-slay”?
How will Dems pressure the PA to reform its institutions and stop corruption, nepotism, & terror-financing?
How will Democrats ensure that aid delivered to Palestinians thru USAID or various NGO’s will not end up in the hands of PA officials?
How will Dems pressure UNRWA to stop indoctrinating Palestinian children with hatred of Israel & Jews and stop hiring Hamas terrorists?
How will Dems pressure UNRWA to stop indoctrinating Palestinian children with hatred of Israel & Jews and stop hiring Hamas terrorists?
Now that Dems (and a few R's) want to fund “peacebuilding” NGO's:
How can they ensure that $ will NOT be used to fund political activities of anti-Israel NGO’s?
How can “peacebuilding” succeed when antisemitism is promoted in Palestinian schools, media & religious institutions?
How can they ensure that $ will NOT be used to fund political activities of anti-Israel NGO’s?
How can “peacebuilding” succeed when antisemitism is promoted in Palestinian schools, media & religious institutions?
As Flatow wrote:
“If enacted, this would bring us back to the pre-Taylor Force days in which the US helped foot the bill for rewarding & encouraging murder, incl. the murder of Americans. Pro-Israel orgs need to speak out now to stop this madness before it advances any further."
“If enacted, this would bring us back to the pre-Taylor Force days in which the US helped foot the bill for rewarding & encouraging murder, incl. the murder of Americans. Pro-Israel orgs need to speak out now to stop this madness before it advances any further."
