Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.) filed legislation in the House of Representatives Wednesday that would eliminate the funding of any non-governmental organization (NGO) that is affiliated with or provides resources to terror groups that operate in Israel, the West Bank, or Gaza.
While not explicitly stated, given its timing, the measure titled the HATIKVAHH Act, is likely aimed at the Hamas, Hezbollah, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organizations.
If signed into law, the State Department would be required to biannually certify that NGO’s receiving U.S. financial aid do not “provide resources, support, cooperate, work with, employ, contract with, or celebrate a specified foreign terrorist organization.”
In addition, the Secretary of State would be obligated to confirm that the recipients of U.S. tax dollars undergo periodic financial audits to ensure that they are not receiving money from national or organizational sources of terror funding.
The act does not exempt the United Nations, an entity that has come under criticism for providing support to jihadist groups under the guise of humanitarian aid. Most notably, the U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has faced significant disapproval in the past for allowing terrorist military devices to be stored in their buildings and for promoting anti-Israel and antisemitic propaganda in their school curricula.
Rep. Tenney released a statement after the bill's submission saying, "at a time when Hamas and Hezbollah continue to brutally kidnap, rape, and murder innocent Israeli and American civilians, it's paramount that American taxpayer dollars are never inadvertently used to bolster these terrorist attacks."
This action comes amidst recent efforts in Congress to increase support to Israel in the wake of the Oct. 7 surprise attack from Gaza on southern Israel. The legislation is likely to pass if voted on.
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