HR 4681 to hit the US congress
American NGO’s are urging the US House of Reps to reject a new bill designed to cut U.S. funds and assistance to the Palestinian government and community groups. The Palestinian Anti-terrorism Act, also known as House resolution 4681 aims to put pressure on the new Hamas led Palestinian authority, which many conservatives have labeled “terrorist”. But several American and international groups say the new law would have a devastating effect on ordinary Palestinians and push any chance of peace talks further away. The Arab American institute says the bill would exacerbate existing social problems in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, where unemployment is currently running at 40%. The group says regardless of the Bush administrations dislike of Hamas, the American government has a responsibility to help build civil society in Palestine. But the bill – which heads to the house this week has had the backing of powerful pro-Israel lobby group, American Israel Public Affairs Committee or AIPAC.