Rep. Kustoff Introduces Legislation to Sanction Oct. 7th Terrorist Perpetrator
WASHINGTON, D.C — Congressman David Kustoff (R-TN), Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA), House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX), and Congressman Brad Schneider (D-IL) introduced the bipartisan, Accountability for Terrorist Perpetrators of October 7th Act, in the House of Representatives. This legislation would sanction the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) for its involvement in the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel.
“It is imperative all terrorist organizations involved in the barbaric October 7th attack on Israel are held accountable for their heinous actions,” said Congressman Kustoff. “For years now, the Popular Resistance Committees, the third largest terror group in the Gaza strip, have terrorized innocent Israelis. They are also responsible for previous attacks that killed Americans in the region. I am pleased to join Rep. Sherman to introduce this crucial legislation that will sanction the PRC.”
“For far too long, the Popular Resistance Committees have flown under the radar and avoided real consequences for their horrific crimes. The time has come to hold this heinous terror group accountable for decades of cowardly attacks against innocent Israelis, Americans, and Palestinians, and apply the full force of U.S. sanctions to cut off the PRC from the global financial system,” said Congressman Sherman “This bill demonstrates the United States’ unwavering commitment to making sure each and every perpetrator of October 7th answers for the genocidal acts committed on that day.”
"Hamas was not the only terrorist group guilty of atrocities on October 7. This bill updates our sanctions to cover all of the terrorist groups operating in the West Bank and Gaza. The United States and Israel will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder to defend our mutual security, and we will use all available authorities to stop funding and other support going to violent terrorists,” said Chairman McCaul.
“Six months have passed since more than 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 people were taken hostage in Israel by Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other terrorist groups including the Popular Resistance Committees. Every terrorist group must be held accountable for its horrific role in the October 7 terrorist attacks, and that includes the Popular Resistance Committees which have avoided sanctions and scrutiny for too long. This legislation will help us take a critical step forward toward ensuring every perpetrator is faced with severe consequences for their terrible part in the October 7 attacks," said Congressman Schneider.
Background:
The Popular Resistance Committees are the third-largest terror group in Gaza and have carried out terror attacks against Israelis, Americans, and Palestinians. In 2003, the PRC bombed a United States diplomatic convoy which injured a U.S. diplomat and killed 3 American security guards. The two largest terrorist groups in Gaza, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), have long been sanctioned by the United States.
The Accountability for Terrorist Perpetrators of October 7th Act would designate the PRC as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) organization. This designation would create criminal and civil penalties for anyone willfully providing support to the PRC, including up to 20 years in prison, civil fines, and property forfeitures. In addition, the legislation would subject the Popular Resistance Committees and their members to financial asset-blocking sanctions in any financial institution connected to the U.S. financial system as well as visa-blocking sanctions.
Click here to read the full text of the bill.
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