Austin News

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has introduced the Hamas Sanctions Act, which aims to comprehensively target Hamas and its operations. This legislation seeks to impose sanctions on Hamas, its members, and affiliates, as well as countries that provide funding and territory for Hamas activities.

In explaining the need for the bill, Sen. Cruz highlighted the importance of supporting Israel in its fight against Hamas. He criticized the Biden administration for indirectly and directly funding Hamas over the past two and a half years. He stated, "The administration poured hundreds of millions of dollars into the Gaza Strip, despite knowing this would benefit Hamas terrorists, and allowed roughly $100 billion to flow to the Iranian regime, which they knew the Ayatollah would pass along to Hamas."

Sen. Cruz emphasized that the Hamas Sanctions Act would put an end to these policies and prevent further funds from flowing to Hamas and Iran. It would also prohibit the provision of safe havens for Hamas leaders in violation of sanctions. He stated, "The Hamas Sanctions Act would end these catastrophic policies, prohibit the administration from allowing further funds from flowing to Hamas and Iran, and end the ability to provide Hamas leaders with safe haven in violation of sanctions."

The Hamas Sanctions Act includes several measures to achieve its objectives. It sanctions every known Hamas member and affiliate within the United States within 15 days. The bill also aims to block Hamas' funding by prohibiting U.S. taxpayer money from going into the Gaza Strip and preventing Iran from accessing and raising revenue.

Additionally, the legislation seeks to block Hamas' ability to find safe havens abroad by imposing sanctions on businesses in allied countries that provide services to Hamas leaders. It also requires determinations on whether these countries qualify as state sponsors of terrorism for hosting Hamas.

Furthermore, the Hamas Sanctions Act strengthens and enforces sanctions against the use of human shields. It renews the legislation authored by Sen. Cruz in 2019 and also sanctions Hamas affiliate Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ). The bill aims to prevent the Biden administration from ignoring the 2019 law, as they have been doing.

The introduction of the Hamas Sanctions Act by Sen. Cruz highlights the ongoing efforts to counter Hamas and its operations. By imposing sanctions and denying Hamas funds and safe havens, the United States aims to support its Israeli allies and ensure the eradication of Hamas. The bill addresses the concerns raised by Sen. Cruz regarding the Biden administration's handling of Hamas and Iran and seeks to rectify the policies that have inadvertently supported these terrorist organizations.

As the bill moves forward, it is expected to generate discussions and debates amongst lawmakers regarding the best approach to address the threat posed by Hamas. The comprehensive nature of the Hamas Sanctions Act demonstrates a commitment to taking decisive action against this terrorist organization and its affiliates.

To find out more, go to this link: https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-introduces-comprehensive-hamas-sanctions-act-to-deny-hamas-funds-and-safe-havens