Hastert Statement Regarding House Hamas Resolution

Hastert Statement Regarding House Hamas Resolution

House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-IL) released the following statement regarding H.R. 4681, the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006, which will restrict U.S. funding to the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority until Hamas abandons terrorism and accepts the existence of Israel. The legislation passed 361 to 37.

"Today, the U.S. House of Representatives sent a message to the Hamas government and anyone else in the government who aids Hamas: The United States government will not do business with terrorist networks. We urge the members of Hamas to change their current position regarding violence against Israel.

"Hamas believes that terrorism is a legitimate tool of political negotiation. Hamas does not hide from its endorsement of homicide bombings or its desire to use this tactic to achieve their goal of destroying Israel.

"President Bush's commitment to Israel is recognized and endorsed by the House approval of this resolution. Today, we again urge the members of Hamas to change their current position regarding violence against Israel, but until that happens, the U.S. House of Representatives remains opposed to any aid for their government."

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