The House Middle East subcommittee considered reports of Palestinian corruption and how the reports should affect U.S. assistance to the Palestinians.

Rep. Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), who convened the hearing July 10, said assistance should take into account whether the recipients are corrupt. Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-N.Y.) agreed, but pointed out how such considerations might constrain advancing U.S. policy, including a two-state solution outcome.

Witnesses at the hearing reported on the reluctance of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to investigate corruption except when it is useful as a tool to undermine his rivals. The witnesses stopped short of recommending a total cutoff of assistance to the Palestinian Authority. — jta