Israeli MK, AIPAC behind Senate bid to cut total number of Palestinian refugees

[Scurrilous]

Newly passed amendment requires State Department to specify how many of the 5 million Palestinians who receive aid from the UN are refugees who were personally displaced from their homes in 1948, and how many are their descendants.

<snip>

"Capitol Hill in Washington was rocked late last month when the Senate Appropriations Committee approved an amendment requiring the State Department, for the first time, to do a "count" of Palestinian refugees.

The amendment required the State Department to specify how many of the five million Palestinians who receive aid from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency are refugees who were personally displaced from their homes in 1948, and how many are descendants of those refugees.

Known as the Kirk Amendment, after its sponsor, Senator Mark Kirk (R-Illinois), considered one of Israel's strongest supporters in Washington, the bill conceals within its 150-plus words a fierce battle between Republican legislators and the State Department over the United States' relationship with UN institutions.

Every year the United States allocates $250 million to UNRWA, which provides food as well as health, education and employment services to millions of Palestinians in Jordan, Lebanon, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. For years Congressional representatives have been trying to reduce U.S. contributions to the agency, on the grounds that UNRWA was born in sin and that its policies are anti-Israeli.

What is not common knowledge in the Beltway is that the Kirk Amendment got its start in the Jerusalem office of MK Einat Wilf (Atzmaut ), who toiled for months, together with AIPAC lobbyists and Kirk's staff, to promote the change."

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[azurnoir]

2. Really is that what you think?

but I do find it interesting that a Republican would work with a foreign government to craft legislation that would change US policy in favor of that government

[TomClash]

4. He approves

If it involves Israel, a Republican aiding and abetting a foreign government can never be wrong.

[holdencaufield]

5. I support Steve Rothman NT

[TomClash]

7. The right kind of Democrat eh? nt

[Scootaloo]

3. I assume you're being sarcastic.

Please though. Do explain how Haaretz is the new stormfront. Go on. I'll wait.

[oberliner]

6. Are you a Ha'aretz subscriber?

This article appears to be behind a paywall.

[aranthus]

8. That's nice.

So how is the original policy of benefit to the US? Why is it good for anyone (Palestinians included) to treat them differently from every other refugee group? How does that help the cause of peace? How does that help the Palestinians to get out of the camps and start to build a better life? What has the policy done other than to perpetuate a conflict and maintain the misery of these people? Not to mention that the new law merely asks the State Department to count both ways. It asks how many are receiving assistance (the UNRWA count), and then asks how many of those are refugees under traditional methodology. What's wrong with actually knowing the truth?