Palestinian International Terrorism Support Prevention Act of 2017

115th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2712

To impose sanctions with respect to foreign support for Palestinian terrorism, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 25, 2017
Mr. Mast (for himself, Mr. Gottheimer, Mr. Royce of California, Mr. Engel, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Poe of Texas, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, Mr. Ted Lieu of California, Mr. Deutch, and Mr. Suozzi) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL
To impose sanctions with respect to foreign support for Palestinian terrorism, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the "Palestinian International Terrorism Support Prevention Act of 2017".

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND STATEMENT OF POLICY.

(a) Findings.—Congress finds the following:

(1) Hamas was designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the Department of State on October 8, 1997, and was also named a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) by the Department of the Treasury under Executive Order 13224 in 2001.

(2) Since 1993, Hamas has killed more than 400 Israelis and at least 25 United States citizens.

(3) Hamas has received significant financial and military support from Qatar. Qatar has hosted multiple senior Hamas officials, including Hamas leader Khaled Mashal since 2012, who has had regular interviews carried on al-Jazeera, a news organization based in Qatar and which receives some funding from members of the country's ruling family. In March 2014, the Department of the Treasury's Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence confirmed that "Qatar, a longtime US ally has for many years openly financed Hamas.".

(4) On May 1, 2017, Hamas held a press conference at the Sheraton Doha in Qatar, where it introduced a "Document of General Principles and Policies". While this document was meant to convey a more moderate face to the world by referencing the 1967 borders, Hamas' document, which neither abrogates nor replaces the founding charter, still calls for a continuation of terrorism to destroy Israel.

(5) In addition to receiving support from Iran, Hamas receives a significant amount of aid from other sources. In March 2011, Israeli authorities boarded a cargo vessel and seized numerous weapons, including anti-ship missiles, appearing to have Iranian origin and to be destined for the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. In 2012, Hamas fired Iranian-engineered Fajr 5 missiles from Gaza into Israel. In March 2014, the Israeli Defense Forces intercepted a Panamanian cargo vessel reportedly carrying Iranian M–302 rockets and other "advanced weaponry intended for terrorist organizations operating in the Gaza Strip shipped by Iran". In 2014, Hamas reportedly fired hundreds of Iranian missiles into Israel.

(6) Despite tensions due to a divide on the Syrian civil war, Hamas and Iran appear to be continuing their partnership. In 2015, Iran reportedly transferred "tens of millions" of dollars to Hamas. Hamas Deputy Political Director Mousa Abu Marzook stated in a TV interview, "The support offered by Iran to the Palestinian resistance [Hamas]—be it in logistics, training or funds—is unmatched and beyond the capabilities of other countries.".

(7) It is currently unclear exactly how much financial support Hamas receives from Iran; however, in a February 2017 interview, Khaled al-Qaddumi, Hamas' representative in Iran, stated, "[I]n terms of financial and political support—and even military support—Iran's offerings have not stopped.".

(8) Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) was designated an Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the Department of State on October 8, 1997, and was also named a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) by the Department of the Treasury under Executive Order 13224 in 2005.

(9) Palestinian Islamic Jihad has claimed credit for multiple terrorist attacks in Israel, including an attack that killed New Jersey student, Alisa Flatow.

(10) Palestinian Islamic Jihad receives considerable support from Iran, including training, weapons, and cash. According to press reports, Iran provides approximately $70,000,000 to Palestinian Islamic Jihad as an annual budget. In 2012, Palestinian Islamic Jihad fired Iranian-engineered Fajr 5 missiles from Gaza into Israel.

(11) Support for Palestinian terrorism is an impediment to a two-state solution and reduces the likelihood of a lasting, sustainable peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

(b) Statement Of Policy.—It shall be the policy of the United States to prevent Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any affiliate or successor thereof from accessing its international support networks.

SEC. 3. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO FOREIGN PERSONS AND AGENCIES AND INSTRUMENTALITIES OF FOREIGN STATES SUPPORTING HAMAS, THE PALESTINIAN ISLAMIC JIHAD, OR ANY AFFILIATE OR SUCCESSOR THEREOF.

(a) Identification.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for a period not to exceed 3 years, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that identifies each foreign person or agency or instrumentality of a foreign state that the President determines—

(A) assists in, sponsors, or provides financial, material, or technological support for, or financial or other services to or in support of, any person described in paragraph (2); or

(B) has, directly or indirectly, knowingly and materially engaged in a significant transaction with any person described in paragraph (2).

(2) PERSON DESCRIBED.—A person described in this paragraph is a foreign person that—

(A) is a senior member of Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any affiliate or successor thereof;

(B) is a senior member of an entity that has, or whose members have, directly or indirectly supported the terrorist activities of Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any affiliate or successor thereof by knowingly engaging in a significant transaction with, or providing material support to Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any affiliate or successor thereof, or any person described in subparagraph (A); or

(C) has, directly or indirectly, supported the terrorist activities of Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any affiliate or successor thereof by knowingly materially assisting, sponsoring, or providing significant financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any affiliate or successor thereof, or any person described in subparagraph (A) or (B).

(3) FORM OF REPORT.—Each report required under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex.

(4) EXCEPTION.—

(A) IN GENERAL.—The President shall not be required to identify a foreign person or an agency or instrumentality of a foreign state in a report pursuant to paragraph (1)(B) if—

(i) the foreign person or agency or instrumentality of a foreign state notifies the United States Government in advance that it proposes to engage in a significant transaction as described in paragraph (1)(B); and

(ii) the President determines and notifies the appropriate congressional committees in a classified form not less than 15 days prior to the foreign person or agency or instrumentality of a foreign state engaging in the significant transaction that the significant transaction is in the national interests of the United States.

(B) NON-APPLICABILITY.—Subparagraph (A) shall not apply with respect to—

(i) an agency or instrumentality of a foreign state which the Secretary of State determines has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism pursuant to section 6(j) of the Export Administration Act of 1979 (as continued in effect pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act), section 40 of the Arms Export Control Act, section 620A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, or any other provision of law; or

(ii) any significant transaction described in paragraph (1)(B) that involves, directly or indirectly, a foreign state described in clause (i).

(b) Imposition Of Sanctions.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—The President shall impose two or more of the sanctions described in paragraph (2) with respect to a foreign person or an agency or instrumentality of a foreign state identified pursuant to subsection (a).

(2) SANCTIONS DESCRIBED.—The sanctions referred to in paragraph (1) are the following:

(A) The President may direct the Export-Import Bank of the United States not to give approval to the issuance of any guarantee, insurance, extension of credit, or participation in the extension of credit in connection with the export of any goods or services to the foreign person or agency or instrumentality of the foreign state, and the Export-Import Bank of the United States shall comply with any such direction.

(B) No sales of any defense articles, defense services, or design and construction services under the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.) may be made to the foreign person or agency or instrumentality of the foreign state.

(C) No licenses for export of any item on the United States Munitions List that include the foreign person or agency or instrumentality of the foreign state as a party to the license may be granted.

(D) No exports may be permitted to the foreign person or agency or instrumentality of the foreign state of any goods or technologies controlled for national security reasons under the Export Administration Regulations, except that such prohibition shall not apply to any transaction subject to the reporting requirements of title V of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 413 et seq.; relating to congressional oversight of intelligence activities).

(E) The President shall prohibit any United States financial institution from making loans or providing any credit or financing totaling more than $10,000,000 to the foreign person or agency or instrumentality of the foreign state, except that this subparagraph shall not apply—

(i) to any transaction subject to the reporting requirements of title V of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 413 et seq.; relating to congressional oversight of intelligence activities);

(ii) to the provision of medicines, medical equipment, and humanitarian assistance; or

(iii) to any credit, credit guarantee, or financial assistance provided by the Department of Agriculture to support the purchase of food or other agricultural commodities.

(F)(i) The President may exercise of all powers granted to the President by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (except that the requirements of section 202 of such Act (50 U.S.C. 1701) shall not apply) to the extent necessary to block and prohibit all transactions in all property and interests in property of a foreign person or agency or instrumentality of the foreign state if such property and interests in property are in the United States, come within the United States, or are or come within the possession or control of a United States person.

(ii) The penalties provided for in subsections (b) and (c) of section 206 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705) shall apply to a person that knowingly violates, attempts to violate, conspires to violate, or causes a violation of regulations promulgated under section 501(a) to carry out clause (i) to the same extent that such penalties apply to a person that knowingly commits an unlawful act described in section 206(a) of that Act.

(iii) The President may exercise all authorities provided to the President under sections 203 and 205 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702 and 1704) for purposes of carrying out clause (i).

(3) EXCEPTION.—The President shall not be required to apply sanctions with respect to a foreign person or an agency or instrumentality of a foreign state identified pursuant to subsection (a) if the President certifies in writing to the appropriate congressional committees that—

(A) the foreign person or agency or instrumentality of the foreign state—

(i) is no longer carrying out activities or transactions for which the sanctions were imposed pursuant to this subsection; or

(ii) has taken and is continuing to take significant verifiable steps toward terminating the activities or transactions for which the sanctions were imposed pursuant to this subsection; and

(B) the President has received reliable assurances from the foreign person or agency or instrumentality of the foreign state that it will not carry out any activities or transactions for which sanctions may be imposed pursuant to this subsection in the future.

(c) Waiver.—The President may waive the application of subsection (b) with respect to a foreign person or agency or instrumentality of a foreign state for a period of not more than 120 days, and may renew that waiver for additional periods of not more than 120 days, if the President—

(1) determines that the waiver is vital to the national security of the United States; and

(2) not less than 7 days before the waiver or the renewal of the waiver, as the case may be, takes effect, briefs the appropriate congressional committees on the waiver and the reason for the waiver.

(d) Rule Of Construction.—The authority to impose sanctions under subsection (b) with respect to a foreign person or an agency or instrumentality of a foreign state identified pursuant to subsection (a) is in addition to the authority to impose sanctions under any other provision of law with respect to foreign persons or agencies or instrumentalities of foreign states that directly or indirectly support international terrorism.

(e) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) FOREIGN STATE.—The term "foreign state" has the meaning given such term in section 1603(a) of title 28, United States Code.

(2) AGENCY OR INSTRUMENTALITY.—The term "agency or instrumentality" has the meaning given such term in section 1603(b) of title 28, United States Code.

(f) Effective Date.—This section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and apply with respect to activities and transactions described in subsection (a) that are carried out on or after such date of enactment.

SEC. 4. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS THAT PROVIDE MATERIAL SUPPORT TO HAMAS, THE PALESTINIAN ISLAMIC JIHAD, OR ANY AFFILIATE OR SUCCESSOR THEREOF.

(a) Identification.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that identifies the following:

(A) Each government of a foreign country—

(i) with respect to which the Secretary of State determines has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism pursuant to section 6(j) of the Export Administration Act of 1979 (as continued in effect pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act), section 40 of the Arms Export Control Act, section 620A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, or any other provision of law; and

(ii) with respect to which the President determines has provided direct or indirect material support to Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any affiliate or successor thereof.

(B) Each government of a foreign country that—

(i) is not identified under subparagraph (A); and

(ii) the President determines engaged in a significant transaction so as to contribute knowingly and materially to the efforts by the government of a foreign country described in subparagraph (A)(i) to provide direct or indirect material support to Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any affiliate or successor thereof.

(2) FORM OF REPORT.—Each report submitted under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may contain a classified annex.

(b) Imposition Of Sanctions.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—The President shall impose the following sanctions with respect to each government of a foreign country identified pursuant to subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (a)(1):

(A) The United States Government shall suspend, for a period of one year, United States assistance to the government of the foreign country.

(B) The Secretary of the Treasury shall instruct the United States Executive Director to each appropriate international financial institution to oppose, and vote against, for a period of one year, the extension by such institution of any loan or financial or technical assistance to the government of the foreign country.

(C) No item on the United States Munitions List (established pursuant to section 38 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2778)) or the Commerce Control List set forth in Supplement No. 1 to part 774 of title 15, Code of Federal Regulations, may be exported to the government of the foreign country for a period of one year.

(2) EXCEPTIONS.—The President shall not be required to apply sanctions with respect to the government of a foreign country pursuant to paragraph (1)—

(A) with respect to materials intended to be used by United States military or civilian personnel at military facilities in the country; or

(B) if the application of such sanctions would prevent the United States from meeting the terms of any status of forces agreement to which the United States is a party.

(c) Imposition Of Additional Sanctions With Respect To Foreign Governments Identified Under Subsection (a)(1)(A).—The President shall impose the following additional sanctions with respect to each government of a foreign country identified pursuant to subsection (a)(1)(A):

(1) The President shall, pursuant to such regulations as the President may prescribe, prohibit any transactions in foreign exchange that are subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and in which the government of the foreign country has any interest.

(2) The President shall, pursuant to such regulations as the President may prescribe, prohibit any transfers of credit or payments between one or more financial institutions or by, through, or to any financial institution, to the extent that such transfers or payments are subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and involve any interest of the government of the foreign country.

(d) Waiver.—The President may waive, on a case-by-case basis, the application of subsection (b) or (c) with respect to the government of a foreign country for a period of not more than 180 days, and may renew that waiver for additional periods of not more than 180 days, if the President—

(1) determines that the waiver is vital to the national security of the United States; and

(2) not less than 7 days before the waiver or the renewal of the waiver, as the case may be, takes effect, submits a report to the appropriate congressional committees on the waiver and the reason for the waiver.

(e) Rule Of Construction.—The authority to impose sanctions under subsection (b) or (c) with respect to each government of a foreign country identified pursuant to subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (a)(1) is in addition to the authority to impose sanctions under any other provision of law with respect to governments of foreign countries that provide material support to foreign terrorist organizations.

(f) Termination.—The President may terminate any sanctions imposed with respect to the government of a foreign country pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) if the President determines and notifies the appropriate congressional committees that the government of the foreign country is no longer carrying out activities or transactions for which the sanctions were imposed and has provided assurances to the United States Government that it will not carry out the activities or transactions in the future.

(g) Effective Date.—This section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and apply with respect to activities and transactions described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (a)(1) that are carried out on or after such date of enactment.

SEC. 5. REPORT ON ACTIVITIES OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES TO DISRUPT GLOBAL FUNDRAISING, FINANCING, AND MONEY LAUNDERING ACTIVITIES OF HAMAS, THE PALESTINIAN ISLAMIC JIHAD, OR ANY AFFILIATE OR SUCCESSOR THEREOF.

(a) Report.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that includes—

(A) a list of foreign countries that support Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any affiliate or successor thereof, or in which Hamas maintains important portions of its financial networks;

(B) with respect to each foreign country on the list required by subparagraph (A)—

(i) an assessment of whether the government of the country is taking adequate measures to freeze the assets of Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any affiliate or successor thereof within the territory of the country; and

(ii) in the case of a country the government of which is not taking adequate measures to freeze the assets of Hamas—

(I) an assessment of the reasons that government is not taking adequate measures to freeze those assets; and

(II) a description of measures being taken by the United States Government to encourage that government to freeze those assets;

(C) a list of foreign countries in which Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any affiliate or successor thereof, conducts significant fundraising, financing, or money laundering activities;

(D) with respect to each foreign country on the list required by subparagraph (C)—

(i) an assessment of whether the government of the country is taking adequate measures to disrupt the fundraising, financing, or money laundering activities of Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any affiliate or successor thereof within the territory of the country; and

(ii) in the case of a country the government of which is not taking adequate measures to disrupt those activities—

(I) an assessment of the reasons that government is not taking adequate measures to disrupt those activities; and

(II) a description of measures being taken by the United States Government to encourage that government to improve measures to disrupt those activities; and

(E) a list of foreign countries from which Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any affiliate or successor thereof, acquires surveillance equipment, electronic monitoring equipment, or other means to inhibit communication or political expression in Gaza.

(2) FORM.—The report required by paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form to the greatest extent possible, and may contain a classified annex.

(b) Briefing.—Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter for a period not to exceed 3 years, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the heads of other applicable Federal departments and agencies (or their designees) shall provide to the appropriate congressional committees a briefing on the disposition of the assets and activities of Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any successor or affiliate thereof related to fundraising, financing, and money laundering worldwide.

(1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Financial Services, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives; and

(2) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate.

SEC. 6. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

(a) Rule Of Construction.—Nothing in this Act shall be construed to apply to the authorized intelligence activities of the United States.

(b) Regulatory Authority.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—The President shall, not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, promulgate regulations as are necessary for the implementation of this Act.

(2) NOTIFICATION OF CONGRESS.—Not less than 10 days prior to the promulgation of regulations under paragraph (1), the President shall notify the appropriate congressional committees of the proposed regulations and the provisions of this Act that the regulations are implementing.

(1) 30 days after the date on which the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (or any successor or affiliate thereof)—

(A) is no longer designated as a foreign terrorist organization pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189);

(B) is no longer listed in the Annex to Executive Order No. 13224 (September 23, 2001; relating to blocking property and prohibiting transactions with persons who commit, threaten to commit, or support terrorism); and

(C) meets the criteria described in paragraphs (1) through (4) of section 9 of the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006 (22 U.S.C. 2378b note); or

(2) 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act,

whichever occurs earlier.
SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS.

Except as otherwise provided, in this Act:

(1) ADMITTED.—The term "admitted" has the meaning given such term in section 101(a)(13)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(13)(A)).

(2) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES.—The term "appropriate congressional committees" means the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate.

(3) FOREIGN PERSON.—The term "foreign person" means—

(A) an individual who is not a United States person; or

(B) a corporation, partnership, or other nongovernmental entity which is not a United States person.

(4) MATERIAL SUPPORT.—The term "material support" has the meaning given the term "material support or resources" in section 2339A of title 18, United States Code.

(5) PERSON.—The term "person" means—

(A) a natural person;

(B) a corporation, business association, partnership, society, trust, financial institution, insurer, underwriter, guarantor, and any other business organization, any other nongovernmental entity, organization, or group, and any governmental entity operating as a business enterprise; and

(6) SIGNIFICANT TRANSACTION.—The term "significant transaction" has the meaning given such term in section 566.404 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations.

(7) UNITED STATES PERSON.—The term "United States person" means—

(A) a United States citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence to the United States; or

(B) an entity organized under the laws of the United States or of any jurisdiction within the United States, including a foreign branch of such an entity.

Issues:Foreign Affairs