New York, NY, March 23, 2018 …
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today welcomed provisions included in a congressionally approved omnibus spending bill, including passage of the Taylor Force Act, which conditions certain American aid to the Palestinian Authority on ending the Palestinian Liberation Organization’s practice of specifically paying families of jailed and deceased terrorists.
The bill also allocated $1 million for programs to fight anti-Semitism abroad out of $10 million to promote interreligious understanding and cooperation abroad.
Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO, issued the following statement:
At a time of rising anti-Semitism in the United States and globally, it is significant that Congress is addressing the challenge by designating funds for programs to counter anti-Semitism and promote understanding, as well as ensuring that U.S. funds will not be used to support and reward terrorism.
The passage of the Taylor Force Act sends an important message to the Palestinian Authority that the U.S. will not stand by idly while funds from the U.S. and other donor countries are used to venerate and celebrate terrorism.
This law represents a crystal clear message that rewarding individuals or their families for terror activities will have significant ramifications. We hope Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will use this opportunity to immediately end the PA’s policies which enable, venerate and incentivize violence and incitement.
The Taylor Force Act was named in honor of Taylor Force, a U.S. Army veteran who was stabbed to death by a terrorist in Jaffa in 2016. The act blocks economic aid that “directly benefits” the Palestinian Authority (which funds the PLO’s budget and staunchly advocates the continuation of such objectionable payments).
This funding restriction does not affect U.S. support for Palestinian security cooperation with Israel and still permits certain forms of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people. It also specifically ensures the continuation of U.S. assistance to certain Palestinian health and sanitation projects.
ADL praised Congressional leaders, including sponsors Sen. Lindsey Graham and Rep. Doug Lamborn for their efforts to get the legislation passed.