Congress: 117 · Status: active · Israel/Palestine classification: pro-Israel
Data (JSON) — machine-readable record of this bill (identifiers, sponsor, classification, actions, and the member-by-member vote breakdown).
Official record on Congress.gov — full text, actions, and cosponsor history for HR 261.
Sponsor: Mast, Brian J. (R-Florida)
Palestinian International Terrorism Support Prevention Act of 2021 This bill imposes sanctions targeting Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and any affiliate or successor groups. The President shall periodically report to Congress a list of each foreign person or instrumentality that knowingly assists, provides significant support or services to, or is involved in a significant transaction with a senior member or supporter of any of the targeted groups. The President shall impose two or more sanctions on the named persons. Specifically, the person may be (1) denied credit and services from the Export-Import Bank, (2) barred from purchasing certain controlled defense articles, (3) denied exports of items on the U.S. Munitions List, (4) prevented from receiving exports of certain goods or technology controlled for national security reasons, (5) prohibited from receiving financing of more than $10 million from any U.S. financial institution, or (6) subject to property-blocking restrictions. The President shall periodically report to Congress a list of foreign governments that have repeatedly provided material support for the targeted groups' terrorist activities. The President shall bar these governments from receiving for one year (1) U.S. assistance, or (2) exports of controlled munitions. The Department of Treasury shall instruct U.S. leadership of international financial institutions to oppose the provision of assistance to an identified government for one year. The bill provides for certain exceptions and waivers, such as for transactions that would serve U.S. national interests. The President shall report to Congress and periodically provide briefings on other specified topics related to the targeted groups, such as where these groups secure financing and surveillance equipment.
This law requires the President to identify and sanction foreign individuals and companies that provide money, services, or equipment to Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or related groups. Sanctions include blocking property, banning access to U.S. exports and financing, and restricting defense purchases. The bill also targets foreign governments that support these groups by cutting off U.S. aid and military exports for one year, and directs the U.S. to oppose loans to them from international banks. The President can waive sanctions if needed for national security.
This legislation expands executive authority to unilaterally sanction entities tied to Palestinian armed groups without new congressional appropriations or votes, potentially affecting Palestinian civil society organizations and humanitarian aid channels. The breadth of "knowingly assists" language and the requirement for international financial institutions to oppose aid could restrict funding flowing to Palestinian territories beyond military-designated groups.