Sherman, Kustoff, McCaul, and Schneider Introduce “Accountability for Terrorist Perpetrators of October 7th Act” Targeting Shadow Gaza Militant Group
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA), Congressman David Kustoff (R-TN), House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX), and Congressman Brad Schneider (D-IL) introduced legislation to finally sanction the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) - the third-largest terror group in Gaza and, since their founding in 2000 during the Second Intifada, are responsible for terror attacks against Israelis, Americans, and Palestinians. The two largest terrorist groups in Gaza are Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), which have long been sanctioned. It is past time that the PRC, whose ranks include former operatives from Hamas and PIJ, join their ranks on the U.S.’s list of designated terrorist groups.
The Popular Resistance Committees participated in Hamas’s horrific October 7th massacre, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis, Americans, and others, as well as widespread torture and sexual violence as well as the abduction of some 250 hostages. The PRC proudly boasted about their involvement on their social media channels, issuing a statement on October 7th claiming joint responsibility for the massacre. The PRC’s posts stated that the PRC killed and captured IDF soldiers; the posts shared photos of items taken from their victims.
The Popular Resistance Committees have a long history of carrying out terror attacks across Israel and the Palestinian territories. In 2003, the PRC bombed a United States diplomatic convoy which injured a U.S. diplomat and killed 3 American security guards. In 2004, PRC terrorists murdered pregnant Israeli woman Tali Hatuel and her 4 daughters, 11-year-old Hila, 9-year-old Hadar, 7-year-old Roni, and baby Meirav who was only 2 years old. The PRC has even targeted Palestinians in terror attacks, including the 2005 assassination of Palestinian Security Services chief Moussa Arafat.
Despite multiple State Department reports identifying terror attacks committed by the Popular Resistance Committees, the group has never faced U.S. sanctions. This legislation would finally hold the PRC accountable for its long history of heinous terror attacks by applying long-overdue sanctions on the group.
“For far too long, the Popular Resistance Committees have flown under the radar and avoided real consequences for their horrific crimes. The time has come to hold this heinous terror group accountable for decades of cowardly attacks against innocent Israelis, Americans, and Palestinians, and apply the full force of U.S. sanctions to cut off the PRC from the global financial system,” said Congressman Brad Sherman. “This bill demonstrates the United States’ unwavering commitment to making sure each and every perpetrator of October 7th answers for the genocidal acts committed on that day.”
“It is imperative all terrorist organizations involved in the barbaric October 7th attack on Israel are held accountable for their heinous actions,” said Congressman David Kustoff. “For years now, the Popular Resistance Committees, the third largest terror group in the Gaza strip, have terrorized innocent Israelis. They are also responsible for previous attacks that killed Americans in the region. I am pleased to join Rep. Sherman to introduce this crucial legislation that will sanction the PRC.”
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaulsaid: “Hamas was not the only terrorist group guilty of atrocities on October 7. This bill updates our sanctions to cover all of the terrorist groups operating in the West Bank and Gaza. The United States and Israel will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder to defend our mutual security, and we will use all available authorities to stop funding and other support going to violent terrorists.”
“Six months have passed since more than 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 people were taken hostage in Israel by Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other terrorist groups including the Popular Resistance Committees. Every terrorist group must be held accountable for its horrific role in the October 7 terrorist attacks, and that includes the Popular Resistance Committees which have avoided sanctions and scrutiny for too long. This legislation will help us take a critical step forward toward ensuring every perpetrator is faced with severe consequences for their terrible part in the October 7 attacks,” said Congressman Brad Schneider.
Under the Accountability for Terrorist Perpetrators of October 7th Act, the PRC would be designated as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) organization. This designation would create criminal and civil penalties for anyone willfully providing support to the PRC, including up to 20 years in prison, civil fines, and property forfeitures. In addition, the legislation would subject the Popular Resistance Committees and their members to financial asset-blocking sanctions in any financial institution connected to the U.S. financial system as well as visa-blocking sanctions.
Click Here to Read Text of the Bill
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