U.S. Aid Helped Terrorism at Palestinian Universities, Lawmakers Say

Two members of Congress have sharply criticized the U.S. Agency for International Development for providing aid to two Palestinian universities with alleged terrorist ties, according to today’s Washington Times. The funds, mostly in the form of student aid, include $2.3-million for Al-Quds University and $140,000 for the Hamas-run Islamic University of Gaza. The two lawmakers — Rep. Gary L. Ackerman and Rep. Nita M. Lowey, both New York Democrats — said the assistance may have violated a ban on U.S. aid to people or groups with terrorist links. The allegations stem from a report by Palestinian Media Watch, a pro-Israel advocacy group. Officials at the aid agency flatly denied that the assistance violated U.S. law.