The Partnership Fund for Peace Act strives for “shared community building, peaceful coexistence, dialogue, and reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians.”

By World Israel News Staff 

A bipartisan bill to encourage investment in Palestinian ventures and strengthen cooperation among Israelis, Palestinians, and Americans, was introduced in both houses of the U.S. Congress on Wednesday.

The legislation calls for joint economic development and financial ventures involving entrepreneurs and companies in Palestinian areas and their counterparts in the United States and Israel, with the aim of enhancing cooperation and developing “people-to-people peace-building” programs.

Its stated objective is to “improve the quality of life, stimulate the economy, and advance security by creating private sector jobs for Palestinians in the Palestinian territories and furthering the development of a Palestinian middle class.”

The program would operate under the auspices of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the State Department.

The bill comes at a time of a delay in the publication of President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Israelis and Palestinians and amid a cut in aid to Palestinians.

It’s called the Partnership Fund for Peace Act and also strives for “shared community building, peaceful coexistence, dialogue, and reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians.”

The bill is supported by both Democrats and Republicans, but, perhaps even more uncharacteristically, is backed by both AIPAC, the largest pro-Israel lobby group in Washington – which often toes the line of the Israeli government – and the J Street and Peace Now organizations, very vocal in their criticism of the Netanyahu government.

“Time and time again, Congress has reiterated its support for a two-state solution,” said Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY), one of the bill’s sponsors.

“To aid the pursuit of this dream, this bipartisan legislation would stimulate economic development and build community ties between Israelis and Palestinians,” she said.

Later in June, a conference is scheduled to take place in Bahrain under U.S. leadership to promote Palestinian economic prosperity and lay the groundwork for implementation of the diplomatic plan which would be announced by the Trump administration.

In a similar vein, the new Congressional bill seeks to allow for an economic atmosphere that would help the chances of achieving Israeli-Palestinian peace.

“There are no shortcuts to peace,” said Lowey, “and this bill lays the foundation for this generation and those to come to engage in the hard work of peace-building.”

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Punishing the Palestinian Authority for inciting violence and terror against Israel, the US House Committee on Appropriations voted to freeze a request by the State Department for $370 million in annual funds to the PA.

By: Aryeh Savir,  World Israel News

Rep. Kay Granger. (Wikipedia)

US Congress has blocked financial aid to the Palestinian Authority (PA) in wake of the latest wave of Palestinian terror attacks against israelis and incitement to violence by Palestinian leaders.

The House Committee on Appropriations voted to freeze a request by the State Department for $370 million in annual funds to the PA.

Annual US funding for the PA stands at $450 million, but was cut to $370 million in 2015 in wake of the PA’s violent behavior against Israel last year.

Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-TX), Head of the House Committee on Appropriations, and senior Representative Nita Lowey (D-NY), sent a letter to PA head Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday warning that a continuation of incitement by the Palestinians could lead to a complete cessation of American financial aid to the PA.

“We implore you to refrain from highly-inflammatory language and to redouble your efforts to uphold nonviolence,” the letter said. “As you are well aware, any US assistance generously provided by the American people to the Palestinian Authority is predicated on the PA’s adherence to the precepts of the Oslo Accords as well as countering terrorism and the incitement of violence.”

The letter also demanded that Abbas meet directly with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has repeatedly stated his willingness to meet with Abbas.

Granger and Lowey also warned that the House wouldn’t be able to defend financial aid to the PA if Abbas decided to abandon direct negotiations with Israel and steps to achieve “security, prosperity and peace” for both Israelis and Palestinians.

They also stated in the letter that attacks against Israelis raise doubts that Palestinians are interested in living in peace with Israel.

Rep. Nita Lowey. (Wikipedia)

“The recent and vicious attacks against innocent Israelis are unacceptable and must be stopped,” Lowey demanded in a statement issued earlier in the month. “They are a tragic reminder of the constant threat of terrorist attacks that face the Israeli people.  All Palestinian leaders must take immediate steps to condemn these senseless acts of violence and prevent further incitement.”

“Violence and any additional loss of life threaten years of progress toward stability and coexistence. The aspirations of the Palestinian people can only be achieved through peaceful means,” she warned, calling on Abbas “to do everything in his power to reduce tensions and restore calm.”

Head of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Congressman Ed Royce (R-CA) added that new ways must be found to stop Palestinian incitement, which he said continues to reach the public through social media, radio, television, and the education system.

Israel has been suffering from a wave of violent Palestinian attacks that began in mid-September. In the past five weeks, 10 Israelis have been murdered by Palestinian terrorists. In total, Palestinians carried out 41 stabbings, four shootings and five vehicular attacks. Palestinian incitement and the dissemination of lies and rumors have been a driving force behind the weeks of terrorism.

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