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Reps. Schneider and Pittenger Lead Bipartisan Letter Urging Clarification of U.S. Policy Toward Hamas

November 21, 2017

Members of Congress express “deep concern” over Ambassador Haley statements about Qatar

This week, U.S. Representatives Brad Schneider (IL-10) and Robert Pittenger (R-NC) led a bipartisan group of eight Members of Congress to urge the Trump Administration to clarify U.S. policy toward Hamas.

The letter to U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley comes after her recent statement to the House Foreign Affairs Committee regarding Qatar-based support for Hamas. The letter asks for clarification surrounding the recently signed U.S.-Qatar Terrorism Financing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and the Ambassador's recent statement, which implied the United States recognizes a distinction between the political and military wings of Hamas – a terrorist organization – and finds Qatar's relations with and sanctuary for Hamas officials to be legitimate.

"Hamas is a terrorist organization, formed and wholly-dedicated to the destruction of our ally Israel, and responsible for the murders of countless people, including more than two dozen American citizens," said Schneider. "There is no distinction between the political and military wings of a group whose mission is terror. I am pleased colleagues from both parties have joined Rep. Pittenger and me in seeking clarity from the Administration to ensure the U.S. remains firmly and actively opposed to Hamas."

The letter is available on Rep. Schneider's website.