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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and nine Republican colleagues introduced the Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad International Terrorism Support Prevention Act to impose sanctions on foreign individuals, entities, and governments that provide support to Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and other Palestinian terrorist groups that just spent weeks launching more than 1,000 rockets at Israeli civilians in 2023. “Terrorist organizations threaten the existence of our greatest ally: the Jewish State of Israel,” said Dr. Cassidy. “We must hold those aiding terrorists accountable with stiff sanctions.” “As these terrorist groups continue to show no regard for the people of Israel, I’m proud to reintroduce this bill, which seeks to impose sanctions against foreign nationals and governments that are actively providing material support to these groups. We must hold accountable the individuals who are aiding Hamas terrorists and Palestinian Islamic Jihad,” said Senator Rubio. Foreign entities have fueled extremist Palestinian groups and encouraged their hateful actions towards the Jewish state of Israel and its people. This bill would impose sanctions on foreign persons—or agencies of foreign states—that knowingly assist, sponsor, or provide significant support for the terrorist activities of Hamas or PIJ. Sanctions include asset freezes, denial of arms exports, denial of dual-use exports, prohibitions on major loans or financing from U.S. financial institutions, and denial of Export-Import Bank support. Cassidy and Rubio were joined by U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Braun (R-IN), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Rick Scott (R-FL), John Hoeven (R-ND), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Steve Daines (R-MT) and Todd Young (R-IN) as original cosponsors. ### |