Abu Mazen Choosing Hamas Over Peace With Israel Reveals His True Priorities; United States Must Immediately Suspend All Assistance to Palestinian Authority, Says Ros-Lehtinen

Statement

U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, made the following statement regarding reports of the unity reconciliation deal between Hamas and Fatah signed today. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:

"It was folly and hubris to push for an agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority when it was evident to even the most casual observer that Abu Mazen was never a true partner for peace with the democratic Jewish State of Israel. And now, if true that Hamas and Fatah have reached a reconciliation agreement and the two actually move to form a unity government in the near future, the chickens will have come home to roost.

"This is yet another example of the Obama Administration's failed leadership and this rebuff of the U.S. by Abu Mazen is a direct result of the Administration's misplaced priorities and its longstanding pattern of acquiescing and conceding to the PA in its failed diplomacy efforts.

"The Administration must halt aid to the Palestinian Authority and condition any future assistance as leverage to force Abu Mazen to abandon this reconciliation with Hamas and to implement real reforms within the PA. U.S. law is clear on the prohibition of U.S. assistance to a unity Palestinian government that includes Hamas, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, and President Obama must not allow one cent of American taxpayer money to help fund this terrorist group. In the coming weeks, I will convene a subcommittee hearing on this issue and many more regarding the PA, Israel and the peace process. It's long past time the U.S. reassess its relationship with the corrupt Abu Mazen and his cronies."

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