WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Ted Deutch (D-Florida), Ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, issued this statement after joining Subcommittee Chairman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27) on a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry questioning the U.S. decision to work with a Palestinian unity government backed by Hamas and requesting Administration testimony on the issue:
“Today’s (Monday, June 9) letter to Secretary Kerry reflects my deeply-held concerns with the decision by the State Department to ‘work’ with a Palestinian unity government fully backed by Hamas. Any decision to work with this government could be extraordinarily counterproductive to our efforts to both promote peace and defend the security of our ally Israel, and that is why Subcommittee Chairman Illeana Ros-Lehtinen and I are urging the Administration to provide witnesses in a hearing on this critical issue.
“The United States has provided billions of dollars to assist the Palestinian Authority in building the institutions necessary for a viable state, including a significant portion to enhance security and prevent terrorism. That decision is consistent with Congress’ prohibition of any U.S. aid being delivered to terrorists. However, Hamas leaders have made it clear that even as they are fully supportive of the interim Palestinian government, they refuse to abide by the Quartet principles. I look forward to hearing from the Administration on these critical issues as soon as possible.”
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Preceding provided by Congressman Ted Deutch of Florida