Republican Tennessee Rep. Andy Ogles, alongside a coalition of GOP representatives, introduced a bill Wednesday that would keep U.S. funds from any Palestinian-controlled area of Judea and Samaria, as well as Gaza, until Hamas agrees to forever cease its hostilities towards Israel.
The bill, obtained exclusively by the Daily Caller, condemns Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel and urges allies of the United States to refrain from providing support for Hezbollah, the Palestinian Authority and any affiliated organization. Ogles introduced the bill Wednesday alongside Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, South Carolina Rep. Ralph Norman, Texas Rep. Randy Weber, Tennessee Rep. Scott DesJarlais, Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert, Illinois Rep. Mary Miller and Alabama Rep. Barry Moore. (RELATED: Biden Says It Would Be ‘Big Mistake’ For Israel To Occupy Gaza, Hamas Doesn’t Represent Palestinians)
“America does not negotiate with terrorists, and we should not give any money to their enablers. Palestinian terrorists have not only denied Israel’s right to exist, but they have launched a violent assault on Jews across Israel. To make matters worse, Joe Biden has continued to funnel money to Palestine, which ends up in the hands of Jihadists. That must end today,” Ogles said in a statement to the Daily Caller.
“It’s time for Congress to retake their pocketbook and stop any money that goes to a radicalized and evil nation. America must defend the Holy Land, and handing money to countries that intentionally wish death on God’s chosen people is dishonorable and despicable.”
The bill recognizes that if Palestinian terrorists such as Hamas continue to fail to recognize Israel’s right to exist, then a one-state solution in support of the country may be the solution to the conflict. The legislation calls for the Taylor Force Act, a measure that prohibits the sending of Economic Support Funds to the Palestinian Authority if it continues to engage in violence and hostilities against Israel, to be applied in full.
“Since Hamas’ brutal attack earlier this month, over 1,200 Israelis and 29 Americans have lost their lives due to this Iran-funded terrorist group,” Boebert told the Daily Caller. “Given our longstanding alliance with Israel, it is necessary that we support them during their times of need. We should immediately cut funding to any organizations associated with terrorist group Hamas and encourage our allies to do the same. I applaud Congressman Ogles for taking initiative to help our good friends in Israel as they continue to fight off forces of evil.”
US President Joe Biden (L), sits with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, at the start of the Israeli war cabinet meeting, in Tel Aviv on October 18, 2023, amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. (Photo by MIRIAM ALSTER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, brutally murdering Israeli civilians and kidnapping others, President Joe Biden has pledged the United States’ support through its war against the terrorist organization. Biden took a trip to Israel in October to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to Israel.
While in Israel, Biden announced that the United States would be sending $100 million in humanitarian aid to Gaza and the West Bank just after reports that the United Nations organization claimed that its fuel and medical supplies meant for Palestinian refugees were reportedly stolen by Hamas, according to The Times of Israel.
“Hamas and their financiers have no interest in peace. Their stated mission is the death of every Jew,” Norman said in a statement to the Daily Caller. “They’ve called for it repeatedly, yet the world has largely ignored their rhetoric because such insanity and raw hatred makes no sense to civil societies. I am more than happy to support this legislation. It is time that we use our power of the purse to cut off any Palestinian-controlled area of Judea, Samaria and Gaza at least until Hamas agrees to permanently stop the hostilities.”