Washington, DC – Congressman Tom Lantos (D-CA), the chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, made the following statement in response to the Administration’s announcement that the United States will resume direct aid to the Palestinian government of President Mahmoud Abbas following his formation of an emergency cabinet:

“I fully support the resumption of aid programs for the Palestinians that were suspended when Hamas took power. I consider the government of Salaam Fayyad, under President Abbas, as fully legitimate, and its appointment is long overdue. Of course, we have to make certain that none of our aid for the Palestinians ends up in Hamas’ bloody hands, and I look forward to receiving details from the Administration as to how that will be accomplished.”

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