IV 
113TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 177 
Urging the Palestinian Authority and President Mahmoud Abbas to clarify 
a presidential succession plan, expand political freedom in the West 
Bank, and take preventative measures to limit the possibility of a Hamas 
takeover in the West Bank. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 23, 2013 
Mr. ROSKAM (for himself and Mr. LIPINSKI) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 
RESOLUTION 
Urging the Palestinian Authority and President Mahmoud 
Abbas to clarify a presidential succession plan, expand 
political freedom in the West Bank, and take preventa-
tive measures to limit the possibility of a Hamas takeover 
in the West Bank. 
Whereas a democratic and strong Palestinian Authority is a 
key strategic component of United States foreign policy 
in the Middle East; 
Whereas the Palestinian Authority represents the only viable 
partner for peace between Israelis and Palestinians; 
Whereas Palestinian Authority security forces are critical to 
maintaining relative stability in the West Bank; 
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•HRES 177 IH 
Whereas Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’ 
presidential term expired on January 15, 2009, and no 
new presidential election has taken place since 2005; 
Whereas President Abbas does not have a responsible heir to 
succeed him in the event of his death; 
Whereas President Abbas is 78 years old, a prostate cancer 
survivor, and a frequent traveler who was hospitalized 6 
times in 2010; 
Whereas Salam Fayyad resigned as Prime Minister of the 
Palestinian Authority on April 13, 2013; 
Whereas Palestinian Basic Law, article 37 states that, in the 
event of the President’s death, ‘‘the Speaker of the Pales-
tinian Legislative Council shall temporarily assume the 
powers and duties of the Presidency of the National Au-
thority for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days, during 
which free and direct elections to elect a new President 
shall take place in accordance with Palestinian Election 
Law’’; 
Whereas the current speaker of the Palestinian Legislative 
Council is Aziz Dweik, a Hamas member; 
Whereas Aziz Dweik was expelled from Israel in 1992 for his 
involvement with Hamas and was subsequently arrested 
in 2006 and 2012 for his involvement with Hamas and 
‘‘terrorist activities’’; 
Whereas Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by 
the United States, European Union, Israel, Canada, and 
Japan; 
Whereas a Hamas-controlled Palestinian Authority would 
prevent any possibility of a two-state solution between the 
parties; 
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•HRES 177 IH 
Whereas President Barack Obama has stated that ‘‘No coun-
try can be expected to negotiate with a terrorist organiza-
tion sworn to its destruction. And we will continue to de-
mand that Hamas accept the basic responsibilities of 
peace, including Israel’s right to exist and rejecting vio-
lence and adhering to all existing agreements.’’; 
Whereas the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012, pro-
hibits United States financial ‘‘assistance to Hamas or 
any entity effectively controlled by Hamas, any power- 
sharing government of which Hamas is a member, or 
that results from an agreement with Hamas and over 
which Hamas exercises undue influence.’’; 
Whereas a Hamas takeover of the Palestinian Authority 
would trigger the suspension of United States foreign aid 
to the Palestinian Authority; 
Whereas the United States on average provides over 
$400,000,000 in annual aid to the Palestinian Authority, 
which is used to train security forces in the West Bank, 
develop infrastructure, provide humanitarian assistance, 
and keep the Palestinian economy afloat; 
Whereas these funds serve to promote democracy and human 
rights, economic development, education, health care, 
water and infrastructure, and prevent economic and polit-
ical crises in the West Bank; 
Whereas these funds assist in laying the groundwork for a fu-
ture, self-sustaining, and viable Palestinian state next to 
a State of Israel with secure and defensible borders; and 
Whereas the United States has a direct strategic interest in 
maintaining a legitimate political partner in control of 
the Palestinian Authority: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
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•HRES 177 IH 
(1) urges President Abbas to preempt a succes-
sion crisis in the Palestinian Authority by address-
ing the current succession plan, and by identifying 
figures committed to the peace process with Israel; 
(2) urges the Palestinian Authority and Presi-
dent Abbas to enact reforms to open the political 
process through fair and responsible elections, en-
suring the freedom of speech, the press, and political 
assembly and allowing a new generation of leader-
ship to freely express their views; and 
(3) urges the Palestinian Authority to ensure 
that officials participating in any present or future 
Palestinian Government are committed to the quar-
tet principles, the recognition of Israel, renunciation 
of violence, and adherence to previous diplomatic 
agreements. 
Æ 
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