PALESTINIAN NGOs REFUSE TO SIGN ANTI-TERROR CLAUSE
RAMALLAH [MENL] -- Palestinian non-government organizations have refused to
sign a U.S.-sponsored commitment that they will not transfer funds to
individuals or groups that engage in attacks against Israeli civilians.Palestinian sources said social welfare groups within the Palestinian
Authority as well as independent NGOs have organized a campaign against
signing a so-called anti-terror clause. The sources said the United States
has
demanded that Palestinian social welfare groups sign a commitment that they
will not transfer money to those deemed terrorists.So far, the sources said, about 30 NGOs have declared that they would
not sign the anti-terror commitment. Many of the groups obtain funding from
the U.S. Agency for International Development and American philanthropies.Earlier this month, representatives of 29 NGOs in the area of the West
Bank city of Bethlehem met and issued a statement that they would not
cooperate with a U.S. AID demand not to transfer funding to any individual
or group deemed terrorist. The meeting was attended by PA security and
intelligence officials. The Interior Ministry regulates NGOs in the West
Bank and Gaza Strip.
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