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APN Greatly Deplores House Passage Of H.R. 4681

"H.R. 4681 is an exercise in overreaching that will undercut American national security needs, Israeli interests, and hope for the Palestinian people, if it's ever signed into law," said Debra DeLee, President and CEO of Americans for Peace Now.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 23, 2006
CONTACT: Lewis Roth - (202) 728-1893

Washington, D.C.-Americans for Peace Now (APN) today greatly deplored passage of H.R. 4681, the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006, in the U.S. House of Representatives. APN is a Jewish, Zionist organization dedicated to enhancing Israel's security through peace and to supporting the Israeli Peace Now movement.

"H.R. 4681 is an exercise in overreaching that will undercut American national security needs, Israeli interests, and hope for the Palestinian people, if it's ever signed into law," said Debra DeLee, President and CEO of Americans for Peace Now. "We urged the House to craft legislation that was focused and flexible enough to allow the U.S. to respond to Hamas' election victory in a firm, yet responsible, manner. But by failing to provide the president with a real national security waiver, by failing to include a sunset clause for draconian performance requirements that will stay on the books regardless of who is running the Palestinian Authority, and by failing to distinguish between Hamas and Palestinians who support a two-state solution, the supporters of this bill have missed that opportunity for now. While APN has succeeded in improving this bill somewhat, much more needs to be done. We will work hard to further enhance H.R. 4681 and its companion bill in the Senate as the legislative process unfolds."