US Senate votes to isolate Hamas Govt
AFP
Date: 06-23-06
The United States Senate has adopted by consensus a bill to isolate the Hamas-led Palestinian Government, forbidding any US aid until it recognises Israel and renounces violence. "None of us want to see a penny of American taxpayer money going to a Hamas-led Government that refuses to meet the basic demands, not just of the United States, but of the international community," Democrat Joseph Biden said.
The Senate measure also calls on Hamas to recognise existing peace accords with Israel.
"It is critically important that in pressuring Hamas we make it clear to the Palestinian people that it is Hamas that is failing them, not the international community," Mr Biden said.
The bill allows for continued assistance for food, water, health and medicine.
It also allows for democracy promotion, human rights, and education to help Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas in "fulfilling his duties".
"Hamas must choose between bullets and ballots, between destructive terror and constructive governance," Mr Biden said.
"It cannot have it both ways. The legislation passed by the Senate is an attempt to clarify the choices for Hamas and to make clear our rejection of a group that is committed to terror."
The vote comes one month after the House of Representatives adopted a similar measure.
Both the US Government and Palestinian officials criticised the earlier House measure.
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