The Palestinian Authority — the interim self-government body of Gaza Strip Areas A and B — will stop accepting security aid from the United States on Thursday, which is an indirect consequence of an anti-terrorism law that goes into effect the same day.
The Anti-Terrorism Clarification Act (ATCA) will allow Americans to sue recipients of U.S. foreign aid in American courts over alleged complicity in “acts of war,” according to Reuters.
With the Palestinian Authority now being potentially liable starting Thursday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has opted not to accept security aide moving forward. (RELATED: Palestinian Leader Abbas Hospitalized, Officials Say)
Senator Chuck Grassley introduced the bill last May while eleven others, some Democrats and other Republicans, co-sponsored it.
Grassley tweeted last week, “State Dept shld b [sic] protecting Americans not PLO My Anti-Terrorism Clarification Act passed congress W/OUT OBJECTION last yr+ [sic] signed by POTUS It holds terrorists accountable Why is State Dept now putting PLO wishes over justice for US victims?”
State Dept shld b protecting Americans not PLO My Anti-Terrorism Clarification Act passed congress W/OUT OBJECTION last yr+signed by POTUS It holds terrorists accountable Why is State Dept now putting PLO wishes over justice for US victims? 1/2
— ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) January 23, 2019
“We do not want to receive financial aid, including aid provided to the security forces, so as not to be subject to the anti-terrorism law approved by Congress,” one Palestinian official anonymously told Reuters. “The U.S. administration was surprised by the Palestinian decision, and said it wanted to find a solution in order to continue aid to the Palestinian security services.”
“Israel cannot save the failing leadership of the Palestinian Authority,” Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely told Reshet Channel 13 TV when asked about the cut in U.S. funding.