Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) introduced a bill Tuesday that would make any aid to Palestine conditional on peace with Israel.
“Today, I introduced legislation to make all future aid to the Palestinian government conditional upon the new unity government putting itself on the record recognizing the right of Israel to exist as a Jewish state and agreeing to a lasting peace,” Paul said.
{mosads}The Stand with Israel Act, S. 2265, would stop all U.S. aid to the Palestinian Authority — $400 million a year — until it agrees to a ceasefire and to recognize the right of Israel to exist.
Paul’s bill came after Secretary of State John Kerry said Israel risked becoming “an apartheid state” if it didn’t agree to a peace deal.
Republicans immediately jumped on Kerry for the comment. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) even demanded Kerry’s resignation.
Kerry has been trying to broker a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians, but he has suffered major setbacks this month with the Palestinian Authority forming a unity government with Hamas, which Israel considers a terrorist organization. The move led Israel to suspend talks with the Palestinians.
Paul’s bill would also require the Palestinian Authority to renounce terrorism and “purge” those with ties to terrorists from government security positions before getting any financial aid from the United States. If passed, it would take effect on June 1 or the day of enactment.
It’s unclear if Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) would allow to bill to be considered.