State Department: Hamas Terror Unrelenting

Based on the evidence, they are as determined as ever to destroy Israel. The State Department cited terrorist incidents against Israeli citizens or soldiers, and a lowgrade, consistent barrage of rocket fire into southern Israel; efforts to marginalize political foes and to finance their own work through criminal enterprises; and a “significant quantitative and qualitative” military buildup since Israel’s operation in Gaza five years ago.

In 2013, “Israel again faced terrorist threats from Hamas, the Popular Resistance Committees, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, particularly from Gaza,” the reports said, noting that Israel holds Hamas, as the region’s ruling authority, responsible for hostile acts from within its borders.

Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky introduced a bill on Tuesday that would cut off U.S. assistance to the Palestinian Authority.

But the law suggests Congress continue the aid, roughly $400 million annually, until a power-sharing government is actually formed. At this stage, Abbas has only stated his intent to form one.

Speaking to The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday, one senior legislator said that Paul’s bill was premature for that reason — but that House members, across the political aisle, have no desire to continue aid in the event a unity government becomes reality.

This article appeared in print on page 6 of the May 2nd, 2014 edition of Hamodia.