On Monday, the U.S. unanimously passed a resolution from two congressional representatives from Florida condemning the Palestinian Authority (PA) for inciting violence against Israel as tensions continue to rise in the Middle East.
U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., the chairwoman of the U.S. House Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, and U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla., introduced a proposal taking aim at the PA for inflaming passions against Israel and promoting anti-Semitism. The measure passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee without opposition at the end of last month.
Violence has been on the rise in the region since rumors started in September that Israel intended to end the current policies regarding worshiping at the Temple Mount.
On Monday, Ros-Lehtinen took to the House floor to chastise the Palestinian leadership.
“The House has sent a clear message to Palestinian leadership that its anti-Israel incitement causing so much of the recent tension, violence, and terror will no longer be tolerated,” Ros-Lehtinen said. “There should be no doubt that the Palestinian Authority sets the tone with its incitement, resulting in the recent wave of attacks that we’re seeing against innocent Israeli civilians.
“For years, the Palestinian Authority has promoted anti-Semitic and anti-Israel rhetoric in its official statements, media, and textbooks, and has done little to condemn, discourage, or prevent it from occurring,” Ros-Lehtinen continued. “Instead of trying to deflect from its own failed leadership, it’s time for the Palestinian Authority to step up and work on behalf of the Palestinian people by calming tensions and discouraging additional incitement.
“The House’s passage of this resolution sends an important signal that we’ll continue to support the democratic Jewish state of Israel during this difficult time and we will hold Palestinian leadership accountable for its destructive words and actions,” Ros-Lehtinen insisted.
On the other side of the aisle, Deutch also called out the Palestinian leadership for inciting terrorist action against Israel.
“I am proud to have been a leading sponsor of this important resolution that passed today,” Deutch said on Monday. “For too long, we have witnessed leaders in the Palestinian Authority resort to anti-Israel and anti-Semitic incitement. This recent wave of terror attacks in Israel is a direct result of incitement by Palestinian leaders accusing Israel of changing the status quo on the Temple Mount. These false accusations send a dangerous message that violence and acts of terrorism are acceptable and even justified. It is well past time for President Abbas to stand up and condemn all acts of violence, rather than encouraging violence by glorifying terrorists and teaching children to view Israelis as animals.”
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
