This week the US House of Representatives passed a bi-partisan resolution explicitly condemning the Palestinian leadership’s incitement of terror which has led to nearly a thousand attacks on Israelis in the last two months.
369 members signed a letter telling President Abbas to end his incitement and stop the violence or risk losing hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign aid from the United States. Unlike President Obama and Secretary Kerry, the House of Representatives made it clear that there is no moral equivalency between the terrorists and their victims.
The resolution’s sponsor, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, made this statement after it was passed:
“The House has sent a clear message to Palestinian leadership that its anti-Israel incitement causing so much of the recent tension, violence, and terror will no longer be tolerated. There should be no doubt that the Palestinian Authority sets the tone with its incitement, resulting in the recent wave of attacks that we’re seeing against innocent Israeli civilians.
For years, the Palestinian Authority has promoted anti-Semitic and anti-Israel rhetoric in its official statements, media, and textbooks, and has done little to condemn, discourage, or prevent it from occurring. Instead of trying to deflect from its own failed leadership, it’s time for the Palestinian Authority to step up and work on behalf of the Palestinian people by calming tensions and discouraging additional incitement.
The House’s passage of this resolution sends an important signal that we’ll continue to support the democratic Jewish State of Israel during this difficult time and we will hold Palestinian leadership accountable for its destructive words and actions.”
