American Congress Members: "Economic Collapse of the Authority Will Strengthen Hamas and Iran"

Six U.S. lawmakers from both parties have urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to prevent the Palestinian Authority's economic collapse, warning that deterioration in the West Bank would bolster Hamas and Iran-backed groups. The initiative is led by Brad Schneider and Craig Goldman, co-chairs of the Abraham Accords Caucus.

Six U.S. lawmakers from both parties appealed Wednesday to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, demanding that the Trump administration act to prevent the economic collapse of the Palestinian Authority. In their letter, the legislators warned that a severe economic downturn in the West Bank could actually strengthen Hamas and organizations supported by Iran. The effort is led by Democratic Congressman Brad Schneider and Republican Craig Goldman, who serve together as co-chairs of the Abraham Accords Caucus in Congress. The letter was also signed by Republicans Ann Wagner and Gus Bilirakis, and Democrats Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Jimmy Panetta. The lawmakers emphasized they are not asking Israel to ease its fight against terror financing, but warned that delaying clearance revenues could accelerate the Authority's collapse. They called on the administration to work with Israel and the PA on mechanisms that would allow supervised fund transfers. The letter also addresses changes to the payment mechanism for prisoners and their families, and warns of harm to banking ties between Israel and the Palestinians.