Gottheimer-Mast Bill to Sanction Financial Supporters of Hamas Passes House

WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, July 23, 2019, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1850, the Palestinian International Terrorism Support Prevention Act, introduced by U.S. Congressmen Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) and Brian Mast (FL-18). The bipartisan bill, supported by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel (D-NY) and Ranking Michael McCaul (R-TX), will require the President to submit to Congress an annual report identifying foreign entities who assist Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or an affiliate or successor, and impose at least two or more crippling sanctions. This bill will also crack down on foreign governments that support these groups by suspending U.S. foreign aid, making it harder for them to receive loans or technical assistance, and tying up their credit.

“I am proud that the House passed our bipartisan legislation today to impose strong sanctions on terrorists including Hamas and PIJ.” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “It is critical that the United States and our allies continue to isolate Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad by cutting them off at the source, including the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism: Iran. The  Palestinian International Terrorism Support Prevention Act will strengthen existing sanctions to weaken these terrorist groups that threaten our ally Israel, undermine peace, and further destabilize the Middle East. I now urge our colleagues in the Senate to act swiftly and stand up to terror.”

A video of Congressman Gottheimer’s remarks on the House floor can be found here.

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