WASHINGTON (AP) -- The United States will cancel or suspend up to $411 million in Palestinian aid out of concern the money could help the new Hamas leaders of the government there, the State Department announced Friday.
At the same time, the United States will redirect some of that money to humanitarian projects for the impoverished Palestinian people. Humanitarian assistance will rise by 57 percent to $287 million over several years, the department said.
Another $13 million will go for new vetting procedures, including a special inspector general, to ensure that even humanitarian aid funneled through the U.N. Relief Agency and approved charities does not end up in Hamas hands, the department said.
...The United States began a review of its aid package to the Palestinians shortly after the election, and has already eliminated direct aid to the Palestinian Authority.
"It is our desire to help provide for the basic humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people," Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in a statement read to reporters by department spokesman Sean McCormack. But she added, "The new Palestinian government must take responsibility for the consequences of its policies."
Two important points--
1. Humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people will rise by 57 percent to $287 million over several years.
Get that? We are increasing the amount of aid we are giving to alleviate the human suffering of the Palestinians. We aren't abandoning them.
2. We will not support a terrorist organization, even though it was democratically elected to take the reins of government.
Just because the Palestinians voted Hamas into power does not mean that we are obligated to fund a terrorist government that embraces the elimination of Israel.
As Rice said, "The new Palestinian government must take responsibility for the consequences of its policies."
It's being widely reported that Hamas is ready for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The question: Is that true?
From the Washington Post:
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said in an interview that the radical Islamic group Hamas is showing signs of confusion after a week running the Palestinian Authority, and he predicted that its leaders would soften their stance toward Israel and accept the Jewish state's right to exist.
...After Hamas swept aside Abbas's Fatah movement in parliamentary elections on Jan. 25, its leaders "had some illusions that they can deliver, they can survive, let the world go to hell," Abbas said. "But I don't think it's doable now. They have started realizing that this is not doable."
From Pakistan's Daily Times:
The Islamic militant group Hamas is ready for a “two-state” solution with Israel, a senior official said on Friday, a position that would imply recognition of the Jewish state for the first time.
The official said Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh planned to present a proposal to the moderate Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, in a meeting. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the proposal has not yet been submitted.
Many media outlets are putting out this same message, that Hamas will bend and moderate its position on Israel.
Hamas is desperate to find a solution to its financial crisis. The Palestinians are dependent on foreign aid. With the U.S. and EU making good on their promises to not deal with terrorists, the Hamas government is virtually bankrupt.
If Hamas wants the Western aid it so desperately needs, it must change its ways and recognize Israel's right to exist.
Out of necessity, it would seem plausible that the Hamas-led government would be willing to at least discuss a two-state solution in return for aid.
Zaman Daily News says those reports are false.
On Friday, HAMAS (Islamic Resistance Movement) officials denied reports that their new government is ready for a two-state solution with Israel.
"This is not correct ... Hamas won't change its opinion and won't introduce such a massive shift in its thinking and risk losing its constituency," Deputy Prime Minister Naser al-Shaer told Reuters.
Any preparation to hold talks on a two-state solution would imply recognition of Israel, which HAMAS is sworn to destroy.
Haaretz tells much the same story.
Top Hamas officials denied reports on Friday that their new government was ready for a two-state solution with Israel or would present such a proposal to Mahmoud Abbas.
"That is not correct. Where did you hear that?" [Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail] Haniyeh said in the Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis. He appeared shocked when asked by reporters if it was true.
Earlier Friday, a senior Palestinian official said that Hamas is ready for a two-state solution with Israel, a position that would imply the militant group's recognition of Israel for the first time. The announcement came as Hamas has been sending go-betweens to Israel recently with an offer to reach an unofficial understanding on "quiet in return for quiet."
I think it's safe to say that Abbas' claim that Hamas is showing signs of confusion is a true statement.
It appears that Hamas doesn't want to denounce its violent agenda. It also appears that there is a realization within the terrorist organization that it must.
Money talks.
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