(WASHINGTON, D.C., December 5) – The Israel Project today applauded the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the bipartisan Taylor Force Act (H.R. 1164), legislation that would eliminate funding that directly benefits the Palestinian Authority if it continues to pay salaries to terrorists or their families. 

“The bipartisan measure passed today will send a very clear warning to the Palestinian Authority:  the double-game is over and terrorism will not be tolerated, not in any form. Those who enable, inspire, or incite, will also pay a price,” TIP President Josh Block said.

The bipartisan measure, which passed without objection on a simple voice vote, was adopted initially by the House Foreign Affairs Committee on November 15.

The Taylor Force Act was named in honor of U.S. Army veteran Taylor Force, who was killed by a Palestinian terrorist in Tel Aviv last year.

Attention now shifts to the Senate, where other versions of the legislation have been adopted in the Senate Foreign Relations and Appropriations Committees.

“Today’s vote is another victory on the long road to holding the Palestinian Authority accountable for its actions,” Block added. “The PA cannot claim to be a legitimate partner for peace while simultaneously providing financial incentives to terrorists willing to commit murder and violence against innocent civilians.”

Passage of the TFA follows a 2015 landmark federal court verdict in which the PA was held responsible for a series of deadly terrorist attacks in Israel that killed or wounded several Americans.  In finding the Palestinian authorities liable in the attacks, jurors awarded the victims $218.5 million in damages.