The members assert that Abbas has failed to
control a brutal Fatah movement equal to Hamas in the suppression of civil
and human rights.
"I think that's a noble intention but in a practical sense it will end
up giving U.S. taxpayer dollars to a terrorist organization, which is
Hamas," Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the ranking Republican on the House
Foreign Affairs Committee, said.
Despite the Hamas takeover, Congress remains skeptical of U.S. plans to
support Fatah. Throughout 2007, House and Senate members were repeatedly
reassured by administration officials that Abbas would reform and enhance
his security forces.
On May 23, U.S. security coordinator Lt. Gen. Keith Dayton expressed
confidence that Abbas's Presidential Guard would be capable of stopping
Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Dayton asserted that the U.S.-financed PG had
repelled a Hamas offensive earlier that month in what he deemed a major test
of the force.
"We are not giving any money to the Palestinians," Dayton said. "I'm not
going away and
my team is not going away. I can give you a pretty good assurance."
Weeks later, the PG fled Hamas forces throughout the Gaza Strip. As a
result, Pence has been drafting an amendment to a $34.2 billion foreign aid
bill that would restrict U.S. aid to the Palestinians as long as Hamas
controls the Gaza Strip.
"I have grave concerns that we would set aside our current preconditions
for support in the wake of this emergency," Pence said. "What we ought to be doing is reconsidering our policy."
On Thursday, the State Department briefed House Foreign Affairs
Committee members on Israeli-Palestinian and other issues. Democrats on the
committee have supported U.S. aid to Abbas.
Pence said Abbas has done virtually nothing to advance peace with
Israel. The House member said Abbas has also failed to discipline his
forces, which led to the Fatah defeat in the Gaza Strip.
"His response to the forces of evil has sometimes been tepid and
sporadic," Pence said. "He has been unable to get the government to agree to
the Quartet's basic preconditions for the resumption of aid. He must take
steps to reform his own ranks and strengthen his own forces in curbing
terrorism. And he should denounce ant-Americanism and anti-Jewish
incitement."
House Foreign Affairs subcommittee chairman Rep. Gary Ackerman has
supported U.S. aid to Abbas. But Ackerman agreed that Abbas has failed to
either unite or lead the Palestinians.
"The whole new element of having the Palestinian side that stands
against itself is a thing that I'm scratching my head about, when the team
isn't a team," Ackerman said. "The fault lies with the coach. Half the
players are trying to sabotage the other."
