Taylor Force Act – being voted on today call the congress operator 202-2243121

[Shilo]

Taylor Force Act – being voted on today call the congress operator to get in touch with your congressmen 202-224-3121

This bill prohibits certain assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 from being made available for the West Bank and Gaza unless the Department of State certifies that the Palestinian Authority:
•is taking steps to end acts of violence against U.S. and Israeli citizens perpetrated by individuals under its jurisdictional control, such as the March 2016 attack that killed former Army officer Taylor Force;
•is publicly condemning such acts of violence and is investigating, or cooperating in investigations of, such acts; and
•has terminated payments for acts of terrorism against U.S. and Israeli citizens to any individual who has been convicted and imprisoned for such acts, to any individual who died committing such acts, and to family members of such an individual.

 

[Shilo]

year ago, West Point graduate and combat veteran Taylor Force was stabbed to death by a young Palestinian who also wounded 12 others in an attack on tourists in Israel. It is tragic and ironic that Taylor risked his life serving the United States in combat deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, only to be senselessly killed as a civilian. Sadly, he joined a long list of Americans killed in Palestinian attacks over the years. The Senate recently reintroduced legislation bearing his name – the Taylor Force Act – to help protect Americans, Israelis and other innocent victims from his fate. Congress must pass the Taylor Force Act.

These attacks are fueled partly by the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) practice of paying salaries and benefits to attackers and their families. Since the PA receives approximately $300 million annually in U.S. economic support funds – a significant portion of which supports the PA’s budget – American taxpayer dollars are being used, unintentionally, to incentivize and reward terrorism.

The PA’s program consists of systematic, regular payments to “anyone incarcerated in [Israel’s] prisons for his participation in the struggle against the occupation.” Palestinian laws codifying these payments also describe imprisoned terrorists as “a fighting sector and an integral part of the weave of Arab Palestinian society.” This violates the Oslo Accords and numerous U.N. Security Council resolutions.

Starting the day of an attacker’s arrest, the PA pays for prisoners’ canteen expenses, provides a salary, health benefits and, for those sentenced to five or more years, a guaranteed government job upon release. Indeed, the longer the sentence, the better the salary and position. The families of “martyrs” also receive large payments for the loss of their family member.

In 2016, the PA spent $129 million on salaries for imprisoned and released terrorists, and $173 million on payments to families of deceased terrorists. These payments account for seven percent of the total PA budget and 30 percent of the foreign aid it receives. Shortly after the murder of Taylor Force, Fatah, the political party of PA President Mahmoud Abbas, posted a statement online praising the attacker as a hero and “martyr.” There is no reason to believe the PA’s incitement will end without strong external pressure.

Article from The Hill - Michael Barbero and 700 club

 

[Shilo]

I called my senator's office and the bill has been moved and will not be voted on today