,,ii #aaeth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #cdbe ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,september #f1 #bjah ,mr4 ,lankford introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations ,a ,,bill ,to redirect ,united ,states funding from the ,united ,nations ,relief and ,works ,agency for ,palestine ,refugees in the ,near ,east to other entities providing assistance to ,palestinians living in the ,west ,bank1 the ,gaza ,strip1 ,jordan1 ,syria1 and ,lebanon4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,palestinian ,assistance ,reform ,act of #bjah4 #b4 ,findings ,congress makes the following findings3 7#a7 ,the ,united ,states1 which has been the largest donor to the ,united ,nations ,relief and ,works ,agency for ,palestine ,refugees in the ,near ,east 7referred to in this ,act as ,,unrwa71 has contributed more than #f1jjj1jjj1jjj to ,,unrwa since #aidi4 7#b7 ,,unrwa was originally established with the good intention of assisting ,arab refugees displaced by the #aidh ,arab-,israeli conflict to rebuild their lives4 7#c7 ,,unrwa's current mandate provides for an increase in the population of ,arab persons who are assured1 through their status as ,palestine refugees1 that they will be entitled to return to ,israel4 7#d7 ,,unrwa has identified more than #e1jjj1jjj ,,unrwa refugees in its records4 7#e7 ,if #e1jjj1jjj ,,unrwa refugees were to move to ,israel1 the ,jewish people would become a minority population in ,israel1 and ,israel would no longer be a ,jewish ,state4 7#f7 ,by #bjcj1 the number of refugees recognized by ,,unrwa is expected to reach #h1ejj1jjj4 7#g7 ,,unrwa's definition of refugees includes-- 7,a7 individuals who are several generations removed from the #aidh ,arab-,israeli conflict2 7,b7 individuals who were born decades after the conflict ended2 and 7,c7 persons who have received citizenship from other countries4 7#h7 ,,unrwa considers more than #b1jjj1jjj citizens of ,jordan1 most of whom were born in ,jordan and have lived in ,jordan for their entire lives1 as ,palestine refugees4 7#i7 ,,unrwa considers persons as ,palestine refugees if they live in the ,gaza ,strip or in the ,west ,bank1 which is the putative home of a future ,palestinian state4 7#aj7 ,united ,states and international support for ,,unrwa1 an entity funded predominantly by ,western countries1 may be construed by ,palestinians to be the official guarantor that their demand to return to ,israel is an internationally sanctioned right4 7#aa7 ,on ,december #bc1 #bjjj1 ,president ,bill ,clinton articulated1 in his proposal on ,israeli-,palestinian peace 7known as the ,clinton ,parameters7-- 7,a7 the need for a policy that makes clear that there is no specific right of return to ,israel for the ,palestinian people2 and 7,b7 with respect to ,palestinian refugees1 a ,palestinian state would be the focal point for ,palestinians who choose to return to the area4 7#ab7 ,,unrwa refugee camps have been used by the international community-- 7,a7 to prevent ,palestinians from peaceably settling and focusing on building their livelihoods and future2 and 7,b7 to encourage ,palestinians to prepare for a return to ,israel4 7#ac7 ,the presence of ,,unrwa refugee camps is directly correlated with unemployment and low earnings among ,palestinian communities4 7#ad7 ,according to the ,palestinian ,central ,bureau of ,statistics-- 7,a7 #d of the #e governorates of the ,west ,bank and ,gaza with the highest percentage of their populations living in ,,unrwa camps have the highest rates of unemployment2 and 7,b7 #e of the #f governorates of the ,west ,bank and ,gaza with the highest percentage of their populations living in ,,unrwa camps also have the lowest average daily wages4 7#ae7 ,,unrwa facilities have been used to support terrorist activities4 7#af7 ,on ,july #af1 #bjad1 ,,unrwa reported that-- 7,a7 it had found #bj missiles in one of its schools in ,gaza1 which were likely placed at the school by ,hamas2 and 7,b7 it returned the missiles to the relevant authorities in ,gaza1 which is controlled by ,hamas4 7#ag7 ,on ,july #bb1 #bjad1 ,,unrwa reported that it had found additional missiles that had been stockpiled in another of its schools in ,gaza4 7#ah7 ,on ,july #bi1 #bjad1 ,,unrwa confirmed1 for the third time in less than a month1 that a stockpile of ,hamas rockets was found in one of its schools in ,gaza1 which-- 7,a7 established a pattern of ,hamas weapons being stored in ,,unrwa facilities2 and 7,b7 calls into question ,,unrwa's claim of being caught unawares to ,hamas' actions4 7#ai7 ,on ,july #cj1 #bjad1 ,john ,ging1 who was the ,director of ,,unrwa ,operations in the ,gaza ,strip from #bjjf to #bjaa1 when asked if ,hamas has been using human shields and using ,united ,nations schools and hospitals to store weapons and as a shelter from which to launch missiles into ,israel1 stated1 ,yes1 the armed groups are firing their rockets into ,israel from the vicinity of ,,un facilities and residential areas4 ,absolutely44 7#bj7 ,on ,september #a1 #bjae1 the nongovernmental organization ,,un ,watch published a report documenting #ab different ,facebook accounts operated by ,,unrwa officials that openly incite anti-,semitism and violence1 including ,ahmed ,fathi ,bader1 who-- 7,a7 identified himself as a ,deputy ,school ,principal at ,,unrwa2 and 7,b7 praised the murder of a group of collaborators with the ,jews4 7#ba7 ,on ,october #af1 #bjae1 ,,un ,watch published a ,report on ,,unrwa ,teachers and ,other ,officials ,inciting ,violence ,antisemitism identifying an additional #aj ,,unrwa individuals that openly incite to anti-,semitism and violence1 including ,hani ,al ,ramahi1 who-- 7,a7 identified himself as a ,projects ,support ,assistant at ,,unrwa2 and 7,b7 posted an image that encouraged ,palestinians to stab ,zionist dogs4 7#bb7 ,on ,february #bf1 #bjag1 ,,unrwa announced that it had suspended ,suhail al-,hindi1 the chairman of the ,,unrwa ,palestinian workers' union in ,gaza and the principal of an ,,unrwa elementary school after receiving substantial information that al-,hindi was elected to ,hamas' politburo in a vote in early ,february #bjag4 #c4 ,statement of policy ,it is the policy of the ,united ,states-- 7#a7 to continue supporting assistance to the ,palestinians by-- 7,a7 addressing urgent humanitarian needs2 7,b7 promoting peace in the region2 7,c7 improving security in the region2 7,d7 supporting transparent and accountable government institutions2 and 7,e7 promoting a private sector economy2 7#b7 to provide assistance to the ,palestinians based on humanitarian1 security1 and economic needs2 and 7#c7 to make the ,,unrwa's definition of refugee consistent with ,united ,states law1 including sections #aja7;a77#db71 #bjg7;c77#b71 and #bjh7;b77#b77;,a77vi7 of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaja7;a77#db71 #aaeg7;c77#b71 and #aaeh7;b77#b77;,a77vi74 #d4 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that-- 7#a7 ,united ,states humanitarian1 economic1 and security assistance to the ,palestinians is an important component of ,united ,states foreign policy that serves to promote long-lasting peace between ,israelis and ,palestinians2 7#b7 ,united ,states support for ,palestinians should be structured in a manner that promotes the prospects for peace1 rather than in a manner that undermines peace2 7#c7 continued ,united ,states financial support for ,,unrwa 7absent significant reform7-- 7,a7 enables the fostering of ill will toward ,israel and the ,united ,states rather than building a stable and prosperous future for ,palestinians2 and 7,b7 further exacerbates the dire economic situation faced by ,palestinian communities1 as documented by the ,palestinian ,central ,bureau of ,statistics' reporting of higher unemployment and lower wages in areas with a greater proportion of ,palestinians living inside ,,unrwa camps2 7#d7 ,,unrwa promotes a political and economic environment that is not in the immediate- or long-term interest of the ,palestinian people2 7#e7 ,united ,states financial support for ,,unrwa should not be construed to imply ,united ,states support for all ,palestinians' right of return to ,israel2 7#f7 nothing prevents the ,united ,states from providing assistance to ,palestinians in need regardless of refugee status2 7#g7 ,,unrwa's policy of expanding the ,palestinian refugee population1 generation after generation1 in contrast to every other refugee population in history1 is not a financially sustainable model for ,united ,states taxpayers to continue to support without significant reform2 7#h7 ,,unrwa1 which has approximately #cc1jjj ,palestinians on its payroll and provides many basic services in parallel to the ,palestinian ,authority is an obstacle to the ,palestinian ,authority's ability to govern and provide basic services2 7#i7 the ,united ,nations should prioritize the dismantlement of ,,unrwa refugee camps in the ,west ,bank and ,gaza to allow ,palestinians currently residing in such camps to integrate into their local communities and labor force2 7#aj7 ,senate ,report #aab-agb directed the ,secretary of ,state to submit a report indicating-- 7,a7 the approximate number of people currently served by ,,unrwa who actually lived in what was referred to as ,palestine between #aidf and #aidh and were displaced by the #aidh ,arab-,israeli ,war2 7,b7 the descendants of the people described in subparagraph 7,a72 7,c7 the extent to which the provision of ,,unrwa services furthers the security interests of the ,united ,states and allies of the ,united ,states2 and 7,d7 the methodology and challenges in preparing such report2 7#aa7 the report described in paragraph 7#aj7 should be declassified2 and 7#ab7 all refugees of ,syria should be assisted solely by ,,unhcr as ,syrian refugees4 #e4 ,,unrwa reform and certification 7a7 ,certification ,not later than ,june #cj1 #bjbj1 the ,secretary of ,state shall seek to certify to ,congress that ,,unrwa-- 7#a7 is utilizing ,operations ,support ,officers in the ,west ,bank1 ,gaza1 and other fields of operation to inspect ,,unrwa installations and reporting any inappropriate use2 7#b7 is acting promptly to address-- 7,a7 any staff or beneficiary violations of its policies 7including the policies on neutrality and impartiality of employees72 and 7,b7 the legal requirements under section #cja7;c7 of the ,foreign ,assistance ,act of #aifa 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bbba7;c772 7#c7 is implementing procedures to maintain the neutrality of its facilities1 including implementing a no-weapons policy and conducting regular inspections of its installations1 to ensure they are only used for humanitarian or other appropriate purposes2 7#d7 is taking necessary and appropriate measures to ensure that ,,unrwa is-- 7,a7 operating in compliance with section #cja7;c7 of the ,foreign ,assistance ,act of #aifa2 and 7,b7 continuing regular reporting to the ,department of ,state on actions it has taken to ensure conformance with such conditions2 7#e7 is taking steps to ensure that the content of all educational materials taught in ,,unrwa-administered schools and summer camps-- 7,a7 is consistent with the value of dignity for all persons2 and 7,b7 does not induce or encourage incitement1 violence1 or prejudice2 7#f7 is not engaging in operations with financial institutions or related entities in violation of relevant ,united ,states law2 7#g7 is taking steps to improve the financial transparency of ,,unrwa2 7#h7 is in compliance with the ,united ,nations ,board of ,auditors' biennial audit requirements and is implementing in a timely fashion the ,board's recommendations2 7#i7 is working to integrate ,,unrwa refugees into their local communities and labor force2 and 7#aj7 has adopted a definition of refugee that-- 7,a7 is consistent with the laws referred to in section #c7c72 7,b7 only includes individuals who were personally displaced by the #aidh ,arab-,israeli conflict2 and 7,c7 excludes individuals who-- 7i7 have subsequently gained nationality in another country2 or 7ii7 live in ,gaza or the ,west ,bank 7the putative homeland of a future ,palestinian state74 7b7 ,funding limitation ,if the ,secretary of ,state does not make the certification described in subsection 7a7 by ,june #cj1 #bjbj1 no agency or instrumentality of the ,united ,states ,government may provide any funding1 directly or indirectly1 to the ,united ,nations ,relief and ,works ,agency for ,palestine ,refugees in the ,near ,east4 7c7 ,waiver authority ,the ,president may waive the requirements of this section for #a year1 beginning not less than #cj days after the ,president determines and reports to the appropriate congressional committees that such waiver is vital to the national interests of the ,united ,states4 #f4 ,funding 7a7 ,authorization of reprogramming ,if the certification referred to in section #e7;b7 is not made before ,june #cj1 #bjbj1 and a waiver pursuant to section #e7;c7 is not in effect-- 7#a7 the ,secretary of ,state1 in consultation with the ,administrator of the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development1 is authorized to reprogram during fiscal year #bjbj1 for the purposes set forth in subsection 7b71 amounts that were intended1 appropriated1 or obligated for ,,unrwa2 and 7#b7 there are authorized to be appropriated1 for fiscal year #bjba1 #cfj1jjj1jjj for the purposes set forth in subsection 7b74 7b7 ,use of reprogrammed funds ,amounts reprogrammed or appropriated pursuant to subsection 7a7 may be used for assistance to ,palestinians living in the ,west ,bank1 the ,gaza ,strip1 ,jordan1 ,syria1 or ,lebanon through-- 7#a7 the ,palestinian ,authority1 for the provision of health1 education1 and other necessary services2 7#b7 vetted nongovernmental organizations providing humanitarian assistance in the ,gaza ,strip2 7#c7 the governments of countries in which ,,unrwa operates and maintains official ,,unrwa facilities1 for the provision of health1 education1 and other necessary services2 7#d7 the ,office of the ,united ,nations ,high ,commissioner for ,refugees1 for services to persons of ,palestinian descent who have been denied citizenship in ,syria or ,lebanon to find individual solutions of local integration or resettlement in third countries in a way that-- 7,a7 ends their refugee status2 and 7,b7 is consistent with current ,,unhcr policy with respect to all refugees2 7#e7 the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development or other local entities1 as determined by the ,secretary1 such as hospitals1 clinics1 and schools1 for the provision of health and education services in the ,west ,bank if the ,palestinian ,authority cannot or will not use ,united ,states funding for the purposes described in paragraph 7#a72 and 7#f7 other entities1 as determined by the ,secretary1 for humanitarian1 education1 health care1 and economic development-related assistance for the ,palestinians4 7c7 ,palestinian ,assistance ,trust ,fund 7#a7 ,trust fund ,there is established in the ,treasury of the ,united ,states a trust fund1 which shall be known as the ,palestinian ,assistance ,trust ,fund1 which shall consist of amounts reprogrammed pursuant to subsection 7a74 7#b7 ,distribution of funds 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,state1 in consultation with the ,administrator of the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development1 shall distribute amounts from the ,palestinian ,assistance ,trust ,fund to the entities listed in paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#f7 of subsection 7a7 based on such criteria and benchmarks as the ,secretary shall establish1 in accordance with subparagraph 7,b74 7,b7 ,criteria and benchmarks ,the criteria and benchmarks established by the ,secretary under subparagraph 7,a7 shall seek to prioritize the distribution of funds to entities listed in paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#f7 of subsection 7a7 based upon the transfer of responsibility for-- 7i7 education1 health1 and other services currently provided by ,,unrwa in the ,west ,bank to the ,palestinian ,authority2 7ii7 such services in the ,gaza ,strip to the ,palestinian ,authority or vetted nongovernmental or ,united ,nations organizations working in the region2 7iii7 such services in other countries 7in which ,,unrwa operates and maintains official ,,unrwa facilities7 to the governments of such countries2 and 7iv7 such services to ,,unhcr for assistance to ,palestinians denied citizenship in ,syria and ,lebanon1 contingent upon the implementation of a plan for permanent resettlement in such countries or other third countries4 7,c7 ,effect ,the application of the criteria under subparagraph 7,b7 should-- 7i7 reduce the number of ,palestinians who are classified as refugees by the ,united ,nations and other international refugee organizations2 7ii7 increase the employment rate and job opportunities available for former ,,unrwa beneficiaries2 and 7iii7 enhance the ,palestinian ,authority's ability-- 7,i7 to govern effectively2 and 7,,ii7 to provide necessary services to all ,palestinians under its authority in the ,west ,bank4 #g4 ,reporting requirements 7a7 ,report on classification 7#a7 ,review ,not later than #cj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,president shall review the classification of a report related to ,,unrwa provided to ,congress by the ,department of ,state pursuant to ,senate ,report #aab-agb under the heading ,protracted ,refugee ,situations4 7#b7 ,effect of review 7,a7 ,declassification ,if the ,president determines that the report referred to in paragraph 7#a7 should not be classified1 the ,president shall immediately order its declassification4 7,b7 ,justification ,if the ,president determines that the report referred to in paragraph 7#a7 is appropriately classified1 the ,president shall provide an unclassified report to ,congress that includes a justification of why the release of basic census information related to ,,unrwa would pose a threat to the national security of the ,united ,states4 7b7 ,annual report ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and every year thereafter1 the ,secretary of ,state shall submit a report to ,congress that identifies-- 7#a7 the number of people-- 7,a7 who1 in the preceding year1 received ,,unrwa services2 7,b7 whose place of residence between ,june #aidf and ,may #aidh was ,palestine2 and 7,c7 who were displaced as a result of the #aidh ,arab-,israeli conflict2 7#b7 the number of people-- 7,a7 who1 in the preceding year1 received ,,unrwa services2 and 7,b7 who are descendants of persons described in paragraph 7,a72 and 7#c7 the number of people-- 7,a7 who1 in the preceding year1 received ,,unrwa services2 and 7,b7 who are citizens of another country4 7c7 ,regional breakout data ,in preparing the report required under subsection 7b71 the ,secretary of ,state shall include regional breakout data to identify how many individuals described in paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#c7 of subsection 7b7 live in the ,west ,bank1 ,gaza1 ,jordan1 ,lebanon1 and ,syria1 respectively4