Statement by Rabbi Abba Cohen, Vice President for Federal Affairs and Washington Director, Agudath Israel of America:

The scourge of terrorism against innocents is an unmitigated evil. Civilized societies must strongly and unequivocally condemn it and take every measure to eradicate it. Those who do not do so only abet evil, hate and bloodshed.

It is unconscionable that the Palestinian Authority has enshrined in its law compensation to terrorists and their families for acts of violence. That represents nothing less than a glorification and rewarding of terrorism in Palestinian society – particularly among its youth – and only ensures that murder and mayhem against Israelis and other innocents will continue.

The United States cannot abide the use of its foreign assistance to the PA to either directly or indirectly abet that regime’s support for terror. American aid must stop at terrorism’s door.

For this reason, Agudath Israel of America strongly supports the Taylor Force Act (S. 464, H.R. 1164), legislation that will condition U.S. foreign assistance to the PA on its public condemnation of terror, its taking credible steps to investigate, punish and end acts of terror, and its terminating of payments to terrorists and their families. We applaud Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO), for introducing their respective bills, as well as Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY) and other co-sponsors, and urge swift passage by both chambers.

We also urge President Trump, in his upcoming meetings with President Abbas, to make clear to the PA leader that his continued actions in aiding terrorism is intolerable and will incur severe consequences.