Posted on 03/13/2009 5:42:14 AM PDT by SJackson
Clinton: U.S. Gaza aid tied to recognition of Israel
By Barak Ravid Haaretz Last update - 03:25 12/03/2009
www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1070450.html
About $900 million pledged by the United States to the Palestinians will be withdrawn if the expected Palestinian Authority coalition government between Fatah and Hamas does not recognize Israel's right to exist, Western and Israeli diplomats said Wednesday.
During her visit to the region last week Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas against forming a coalition with Hamas that will not meet the expectations of the Quartet.
Clinton told Abbas that Congress will not approve funding of a Palestinian government that does not recognize Israel's right to exist and renounce violence. She added that if those requirements are not met the U.S.-funded program under the supervision of General Keith Dayton training PA security forces would be the first to be axed.
(Excerpt) Read more at imra.org.il ...
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If the money is going to UNWRA as always, we pretend it's not going to Hamas sine the UN tells us it's none of our business, and that's that. We're not supporting terror. This must mean either we're giving the funds directly to the palestinians, or the new, peace loving unity government Egypt is putting together will not be recognizing Israel's right to exist. No change in reality, but it will put The One in the position of funding an organization formally dedicated to Israel's destruction and the slaughter of Jews.
For 900 million dollars they will mouth the words, and rockets will still fly while they claim they can do nothing to stop the extremest groups from smuggling arms in.
And the world turns...
The article said — “About $900 million pledged by the United States to the Palestinians will be withdrawn if the expected Palestinian Authority coalition government between Fatah and Hamas does not recognize Israel’s right to exist, Western and Israeli diplomats said Wednesday.”
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Ummmm..., our government should have made this “condition” for money to them — a long time ago. It’s a smart move...
I know Hamas will never do it and will denounce this condition, absolutely. Which is fine. They don’t need the aid.
And the Fatah will weasel around it saying one thing here and another thing there... Get them to pass the final resolution to remove this from the Palestinian Charter, then we’ll see if they’re serious about getting any money... :-)
If true and acted upon this could be great news.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
It would. Our current National Security Advisor, Gen. Jones, was in charge of the training under GWB. My impression he's pro-palestinian, and won't be pleased. Since this would impact several billion a year in aid, I'll speculate they'll find a way around it, though it's a real problem for Hamas. Their refusal to accept Israel's existance is the basis of their support. Without that, Fatah probably doesn't need them.
We should have, and Hamas won't. The problem comes when Egypt gets a coalition government together. Then we have to do a dance to funnel them money. Condi said the Hamas folk in government businessmen, that the Hamas terrorists were different fellows. We could simply continue that ruse. Or funnel the funds through the UN. Where there's a will there's a way. Of course if you or I did this, we'd go to jail.
No, they won't. But I'll bet the money finds it's way there.
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