| Having just said Yizkor for all our loved ones, for the millions of victims of the Shoah, the soldiers and citizens who have fallen in the many wars, and for the victims of terror attacks, we also take note of the fact that today, June 6, is the 70th anniversary of the invasion of Normandy. The cost in lives was enormous, but the invasion made the victory in Europe possible. We honor the memory of all those who so bravely fought for their country and for the freedoms that had to be preserved. That sense of sacrifice, ethics, morality, courage, dedication, and love of country seem to be lost in a fog of inexplicable actions today on the part of our government. The release of the 5 super terrorists from Gitmo, on the ridiculous promise of "monitoring" by Qatar, endangers American lives, as well as the lives of citizens world-wide. The urging of the Obama/Kerry team for Israel to continue negotiating with the new terrorist entity, Fatah and Hamas, is immoral, unethical, indecent, and dishonest. AMERICANS MUST NOT BE SILENT. WRITE - SPEAK OUT- BE THERE!! This past Tuesday, June 3, as we were preparing to close the AFSI office for the two-day Shavuot holiday, we sent out a notice about the new PUG - the Palestinian Unity Government - the PA and Hamas joining forces. We also informed our readers that, not to anyone's surprise, the Obama/Kerry DC duo believe that Israel should continue to negotiate with this clearly terrorist organization. Fortunately, we have members of Congress who believe otherwise. They also know that U.S. tax dollars must NOT go to fund a PA/Hamas unity government that would endanger the national security intersts of bothIsrael and America. In Tuesday's email, I asked our readers to call the offices of Congressman Doug Lamborn, Eliot Engel, Trent Franks, and Brad Sherman. It was my oversight that left off the name of Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, 202-225-2331. After calling all these offices today, I learned that the Washington Free Beacon carried an article by Adam Kredo entitled, CONGRESS SEEKS TO DESIGNATE NEW PALESTINIAN GOV'T AS A TERROR ORG - New Resolution pushes to cut aid, dissolve new Palestinian unity gov't. The article informs us that the new resolution is sponsored by Reps. Michele Bachmann (R. Minn) and Trent Franks (R. Ariz.). Clicking on the link to the 'copy of the draft resolution' , one can read the contents of the Resolution which is expected to be introduced on Monday. Speaking for AFSI members, I have offered our services in promoting this Resolution to the extent possible. This new unity government MUST be classified as a FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION and as such MUST have all U.S. Aid removed. Of course, Obama/Kerry MUST get the message that Congress cannot be ignored on this matter, as the president likes to do with his "oversights" and flagrant use of executive privilege. Calling your own representatives - Senators and Congress person - is essential: The U.S. Capitol Switchboard number is: 202-224-3121. Congress Seeks to Designate New Palestinian Gov't as a Terror Org New resolution pushes to cut aid, dissolve new Palestinian unity By: Adam Kredo - Washington Free Beacon - June 6, 2014  Military spokesmen for al-Qassam brigades and Hamas/AP House lawmakers are currently pushing a resolution to classify the newly formed Palestinian unity government as a foreign terrorist organization and cut off U.S. aid following the formation of a new ruling body that includes the terror group Hamas, according to a copy of the draft resolution obtained by the Washington Free Beacon. The new resolution, sponsored by Reps. Michele Bachmann (R., Minn.) and Trent Franks (R., Ariz.), calls on the State Department to designate the Palestinian Authority (PA) and its new Hamas-backed unity government as a terrorist organization. The resolution is expected to be introduced Monday. It additionally calls for the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) to be reclassified as a terror group and for the U.S. government to fully cut aid to the Palestinians, who have received around $5 billion in bilateral assistance since the 1990s. "The Palestinian Authority has shown its true colors by forming a unity government with the terrorist organization Hamas," Bachmann told the Free Beacon. "This nightmare scenario for the peace process means that Congress must reassert its constitutional authority and suspend foreign aid to the PA. We cannot continue to assist our enemies at the expense of our ally, Israel." U.S. lawmakers and Israeli officials have expressed shock in recent days that the Obama administration is willing to work with the new Palestinian unity government, which united the ruling Fatah party with the Hamas terrorist group that runs the Gaza Strip. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle maintain that the unity deal violates a U.S. law banning taxpayer dollars from being sent to any Palestinian government that includes Hamas, a designated terrorist organization. However, the Obama administration has sought to exploit loopholes in the law and announced in recent days that it is willing to work with the new Hamas-backed government, despite Israeli objections. The new congressional resolution maintains that there should be consequences for these moves and pushes for the PA to quickly dissolve the new government and outlaw Hamas. "Since Hamas and Fatah have now unified, Congress must reassess our foreign aid and support to the Palestinian Authority (PA), as foreign assistance runs in direct contravention to current law in regards to a unity government," the lawmakers wrote in a letter to fellow lawmakers urging them to support the resolution. The resolution explicitly urges the State Department to classify the new government as a terrorist entity, which would effectively block financial transactions with it and cut it off from the international community. "Since Hamas and Fatah have unified, regardless of it being made up of technocrats from Hamas and Fatah, the secretary of state should designate the Palestinian Authority and such unity government as a foreign terrorist organization, and redesignate the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) as a foreign terrorist organization," according to the draft language. The resolution additionally criticizes Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for harming U.S. efforts to forge a peace deal by unilaterally pursuing statehood at the United Nations and condoning "anti-Israel incitement," according to draft text of the measure. It also takes aim at Abbas and the PA for "rampant corruption" that includes paying salaries and "other forms of compensation" to imprisoned terrorists and their families. "The Palestinian Authority's highly advertised terrorist salary program incentivizes killings and bombings against innocent civilians, which includes the murder of at least 54 United States citizens since 1993 and more than 83 injured," the resolution states. Lawmakers and experts have maintained that the Obama administration is violating U.S. law by continuing to fund the PA and its unity government. The 2006 Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act explicitly states that no U.S. aid can flow to a Palestinian power sharing government that includes Hamas or any members of the terror group. The law further bans aid to any government in which Hamas is given "undue influence" over political decisions. Aid to such a unity government would be contingent on all parties recognizing Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state and accepting all past agreements inked with Israel. However, Hamas has vowed to continue its armed resistance against Israel and has refused to renounce terrorism against Israel. The White House's decision to work with the new Hamas-backed Palestinian government sparked a new row with the Israeli government, which publicly expressed outrage with Washington. It was further reported this week that the Obama administration has been secretly speaking with Hamas for the past several months and may have even suggested ways it can participate in a unity government without triggering a cut in aid. The American Israeli Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the nation's top pro-Israel lobbying group, announced late Thursday that it is backing a cutoff in aid to the PA. AIPAC, which was initially hesitant to publicly push for a cut in aid, stated in a memo that the "unity government backed by Hamas is a disturbing setback for peace." "Congress should suspend aid to the PA while it conducts a thorough review of continued U.S. assistance to ensure that U.S. law, which prohibits funds to a Palestinian government in which Hamas participates or has undue influence, is completely followed and implemented," AIPAC wrote. Capitol Hill insiders maintain that the Obama administration is violating the law and that Congress is prepared to crack down on the PA. "The law here is crystal clear: we must limit aid to the Palestinian Authority should it formally associate itself with Hamas," said one senior House aide working on the issue. "However, the Obama administration is likely to dodge this requirement in order to keep its failed peace process on life support. Is the White House really prepared to defend sending taxpayer dollars to a government that includes a terrorist organization?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ YOU ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES: Sunday, June 8 - 5-9:30 pm Long Island Celebrates Israel at Eisenhower Park. Free event. Live music, including Rami Kleinstein. For complete event details and flyer please click here Eisenhower Park, 1899 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow, NY 11554; Monday, June 9 - 6 pm One Israel Fund 20th Gala Anniversary Dinner. One Israel Fund supports the welfare and safety of the people of Judea and Samaria and helps the people who were expelled from Gush Katif. Dinner to be held on a rooftop in Tribeca; 2 Desbrosses Street, New York City. Dinner@One Israel Fund.org, 516-239-9202. Special rate for AFSI members. Wednesday, June 11 - 7pm NY Mets Celebrate Israel Night. Cheer for the Mets and enjoy pre-game musical entertainment on the Mets Plaza celebrating Israel and its diverse and unique culture. Sit together with family and friends in reserved seating areas and receive a discount. Purchase through mets.com/Israel and receive a Celebrate Israel Mets T-Shirt. Thursday, June 12- 7:30pm - The Jewish Week is proud to present Pulitzer Prize winning foreign- affairs columnist Bret Stephens, foreign-affairs columnist for The Wall Street Journal. Bret won for the Pulitzer Prize for a selection of his weekly Global View columns in 2012. He was previously editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post. Interviewed by Joshua R. Fattal, Columbia University student and graduate of Write On For Israel. $25 at the door. Student discount, complete details of the event, to RSVP and purchase tickets please click here ; RSVP/ID/Security PARK EAST SYNAGOGUE 163 East 67th Street NY, NY; Tuesday, June 17 - 7:30 pm Another exciting AFSI event at the home of Chairman, Mark Langfan. Ken Abramowitz, AFSI Council Member, will be the speaker, discussing the Future of Western Civilization and How to Save It From Itself. RSVPs required. 212-828-2424 or afsi.judy@rcn.com. Refreshments will be served. Thursday, June 26 - 7 pm J Street Challenge - Lincoln Square Theaters, NYC - patron and sponsorship opportunities available - Join AFSI/Americans for a Safe Israel at our table at the GREATER CHICAGO JEWISH FESTIVAL, St. Paul Woods in Morton Grove. Cheryl Jacobs Lewin, Chicago Chapter Chair, and AFSI members Ira Kahn and Brian Pikelny will be overseeing the AFSI table. Free parking, free shuttle service. http://www.pocet.org/index.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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