WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Brian Mast (FL-21) pushed for quick passage of his bipartisan legislation, the Hamas International Financing Prevention Act, following the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s approval of the legislation.  The bill is cosponsored by Representative Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5).

In light of the horrific war crimes committed by Iran-backed Hamas, immediate action is needed to punish those who’ve bankrolled the atrocities.  The Hamas International Financing Prevention Act would impose sanctions on any entity that offers financial or material support to Hamas. 

“We’ve been bombarded by images of the absolute worst of humanity for the last two weeks, but support for Hamas still looms large,” said Rep. Mast.  “There should be no ambiguity here: Hamas is responsible for absolutely every innocent life lost in this war.  Full stop.  And any supporter of Hamas is complicit.  Now it’s time for the United States to match our words with action by sanctioning anyone who’s enabled radical Islamic terrorists that chant destruction of Israel.”

“Just days ago, the world watched Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists invade Israel and brutally kidnap, torture, rape, burn alive, and murder innocent babies, children, women, men, and the elderly, including Americans. This unprovoked war has wreaked havoc upon thousands of lives and underscored why I will always stand with Israel and support our partner’s right to defend herself from those who seek her destruction. This bipartisan legislation will ensure that we isolate and punish radical terrorist groups like Hamas and PIJ by cutting off their financial resources at the moment our most historic ally in the Middle East needs it most,” said Rep. Gottheimer.

The United States has designated Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad as foreign terrorist organizations for nearly three decades. In less than two weeks, Hamas has perpetrated countless war crimes and murdered thousands of innocent civilians and continues to fire rockets into Israel with the purpose of indiscriminately killing men, women, and children.

The Hamas International Financing Prevention Act passed the House of Representatives as a part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 but was not included in the final version of the bill.  Representative Mast re-introduced this bill with Representative Gottheimer earlier this year.  On October 19, the House Foreign Affairs Committee passed this bill by a vote of 45-2.

The full text of the motion can be read here.

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