U.S. Assistance for the Palestinians

U.S. aid to the Palestinians is intended to forward at least three major U.S. policy priorities of interest to Congress: 1) combating, neutralizing, and preventing terrorism against Israel from the Islamist group Hamas and other militant organizations; 2) creating a virtuous cycle of stability and prosperity in the West Bank that inclines Palestinians, including those in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, towards peaceful coexistence with Israel and prepares them for self-governance; and 3) meeting humanitarian needs and preventing further destabilization, particularly in the Gaza Strip. This book examines U.S. foreign aid to the Palestinians wherein because of congressional concerns that U.S. funds might be diverted to Palestinian terrorist groups, this aid is subject to a host of vetting and oversight requirements and legislative restrictions.