Washington, DC - Congressman Howard L. Berman, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, reacted to reports that the Palestinian Authority plans to honor terrorists responsible for the deaths of innocent Israeli civilians.

On Thursday, Israel repatriated the remains of Palestinian militants and suicide bombers to the Palestinian government.

"The Palestinian Authority's (PA) reported decision to accord full military burials for those who struck down so many innocent people in Israeli cafes, shopping malls, and buses is nothing short of appalling,” said U.S. Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA). “This glorification of murderers makes a mockery of the PA’s claims that it seeks peace and co-existence with its neighbor Israel, which transferred these human remains as a goodwill gesture. Peace can only be based on mutual confidence and mutual respect. The PA should end its policies of incitement now. “

Rep. Berman has co-sponsored the Palestinian Peace Promotion and Anti-Incitement Act with U.S Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), which would hold the Palestinian Authority accountable for actions such as this, which are interpreted as condoning terrorism. The legislation would withhold funding to the Palestinian Authority should they continue to incite violence and inhibit the peace process.

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