Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006
Latest action (21 Dec 2006): Signed by President.
What this bill does
The Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006 established U.S. policy to support a peaceful two-state solution and oppose groups that reject it. It amended the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to restrict U.S. aid to the Palestinian Authority (PA) if it was controlled by Hamas. This restriction would be lifted only if the President certified that the PA acknowledged Israel's right to exist, renounced violence, and made progress in combating terrorism and promoting democracy and transparency.
The bill affects organizations and individuals involved with the PA and assistance to the West Bank and Gaza. It introduced new requirements for presidential certifications, congressional notifications, and audits of U.S. financial assistance. The act also included provisions for visa denials and travel restrictions for certain PA officials if a certification was not in effect.
This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on March 6, 2006, and was enacted into law when it was signed by the President on December 21, 2006. No amendments were made to the bill after it was passed by the Senate.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on June 23, 2006. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006 - (Sec. 2) States that it shall be U.S. policy to: (1) support a peaceful, two-state solution to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians in accordance with the Performance-Based Roadmap to a Permanent Two-State Solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (Roadmap), and oppose those organizations, individuals, and countries that support terrorism and violently reject such two-state solution; (2) promote democracy and the cessation of terrorism and incitement in institutions and territories controlled by the Palestinian Authority (PA); and (3) urge members of the international community to avoid contact with and refrain from financially supporting the terrorist organization Hamas until it agrees to recognize Israel, renounce violence, disarm, and accept prior agreements, including the Roadmap.
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide assistance under such Act to the Hamas-controlled PA only during a period for which a presidential certification has determined that: (1) no PA ministry, agency, or instrumentality is controlled by Hamas unless the Hamas-controlled PA has publicly acknowledged the Jewish state of Israel's right to exist and is adhering to all previous agreements and understandings with the United States, Israel, and the international community, including agreements and understandings pursuant to the Roadmap; and (2) the Hamas-controlled PA has made demonstrable progress toward purging from its security services individuals with ties to terrorism, dismantling all terrorist infrastructure and cooperating with Israel's security services, halting anti-American and anti-Israel incitement, and ensuring democracy and financial transparency.
Directs the President to make and transmit such recertifications to Congress every six months (except for the first recertification which must be made within 90 days of the initial certification).
States that assistance to the PA may not be provided until 15 days after the date on which the President has provided notice to the Committees on International Relations and on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and to the Committees on Foreign Relations and on Appropriations of the Senate (Committees) in accordance with specified reprogramming notification provisions under such Act.
Exempts from such limitation, upon certification to Congress, assistance for: (1) administrative and personal security costs of the Office of the President of the PA; (2) activities of the President of the PA to fulfill his or her duties as President, including controlling border crossings, fostering the Middle East peace process, and promoting democracy and the rule of law; and (3) the judiciary branch of the PA and other entities.
Requires with respect to such exempted assistance that: (1) it is in U.S. national security interests, and the proposed recipient is not a member of, or controlled by, Hamas or any other foreign terrorist organization; and (2) the President consults with the Committees.
Applies such assistance limitations to the unexpended balances of funds obligated under such Act to the PA prior to enactment of this Act.
Timeline
21 Dec 2006
Signed by President.
7 Dec 2006
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
23 Jun 2006
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Common questions
- What does S. 2370 do?
- The Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006 established U.S. policy to support a peaceful two-state solution and oppose groups that reject it. It amended the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to restrict U.S. aid to the Palestinian Authority (PA) if it was controlled by Hamas. This restriction would be lifted only if the President certified that the PA acknowledged Israel's right to exist, renounced violence, and made progress in combating terrorism and promoting democracy and transparency. The bill affects organizations and individuals involved with the PA and assistance to the West Bank and Gaza. It introduced new requirements for presidential certifications, congressional notifications, and audits of U.S. financial assistance. The act also included provisions for visa denials and travel restrictions for certain PA officials if a certification was not in effect. This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on March 6, 2006, and was enacted into law when it was signed by the President on December 21, 2006. No amendments were made to the bill after it was passed by the Senate.
- Has S. 2370 become law?
- Yes. S. 2370 has been enacted. Status last updated 21 Dec 2006.
- Who sponsored S. 2370?
- S. 2370 was sponsored by Sen. Mitch McConnell [R-KY] (Republican-KY), with 90 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 2370?
- Signed by President. (21 Dec 2006).
Related bills in International Affairs
Urging the people of the United States to observe the month of October 2026 as Italian and Italian American Heritage Month.
Congratulating the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on assuming the Presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Falun Gong and Victims of Forced Organ Harvesting Protection Act
To amend the African Growth and Opportunity Act to exclude from eligibility each sub-Saharan African country that does not effectively enforce its environmental laws and fulfill its international environmental obligations.
Bill100 mirrors the public U.S. legislative record from Congress.gov and GovTrack and adds plain-English AI summaries. It is an information tool, not legal, compliance or lobbying advice, and it is not affiliated with the U.S. Congress or any government agency. AI summaries can simplify or omit detail — every bill links to the official source; verify there before you rely on it.