I 
115TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2712 
To impose sanctions with respect to foreign support for Palestinian terrorism, 
and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 25, 2017 
Mr. MAST (for himself, Mr. GOTTHEIMER, Mr. ROYCE of California, Mr. 
ENGEL, Mr. SHERMAN, Mr. POE of Texas, Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN, Mr. TED 
LIEU of California, Mr. DEUTCH, and Mr. SUOZZI) introduced the fol-
lowing bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and 
in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be 
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration 
of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee con-
cerned 
A BILL 
To impose sanctions with respect to foreign support for 
Palestinian terrorism, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Palestinian Inter-
national Terrorism Support Prevention Act of 2017’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND STATEMENT OF POLICY. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:50 Jun 08, 2017
Jkt 069000
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2712.IH
H2712
lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with BILLS
(1) Hamas was designated a Foreign Terrorist 
Organization (FTO) by the Department of State on 
October 8, 1997, and was also named a Specially 
Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) by the Depart-
ment of the Treasury under Executive Order 13224 
in 2001. 
(2) Since 1993, Hamas has killed more than 
400 Israelis and at least 25 United States citizens. 
(3) Hamas has received significant financial 
and military support from Qatar. Qatar has hosted 
multiple senior Hamas officials, including Hamas 
leader Khaled Mashal since 2012, who has had reg-
ular interviews carried on al-Jazeera, a news organi-
zation based in Qatar and which receives some fund-
ing from members of the country’s ruling family. In 
March 2014, the Department of the Treasury’s 
Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intel-
ligence confirmed that ‘‘Qatar, a longtime US ally 
has for many years openly financed Hamas.’’. 
(4) On May 1, 2017, Hamas held a press con-
ference at the Sheraton Doha in Qatar, where it in-
troduced a ‘‘Document of General Principles and 
Policies’’. While this document was meant to convey 
a more moderate face to the world by referencing 
the 1967 borders, Hamas’ document, which neither 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:50 Jun 08, 2017
Jkt 069000
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2712.IH
H2712
lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with BILLS
abrogates nor replaces the founding charter, still 
calls for a continuation of terrorism to destroy 
Israel. 
(5) In addition to receiving support from Iran, 
Hamas receives a significant amount of aid from 
other sources. In March 2011, Israeli authorities 
boarded a cargo vessel and seized numerous weap-
ons, including anti-ship missiles, appearing to have 
Iranian origin and to be destined for the Hamas- 
controlled Gaza Strip. In 2012, Hamas fired Ira-
nian-engineered Fajr 5 missiles from Gaza into 
Israel. In March 2014, the Israeli Defense Forces 
intercepted a Panamanian cargo vessel reportedly 
carrying Iranian M–302 rockets and other ‘‘ad-
vanced weaponry intended for terrorist organizations 
operating in the Gaza Strip shipped by Iran’’. In 
2014, Hamas reportedly fired hundreds of Iranian 
missiles into Israel. 
(6) Despite tensions due to a divide on the Syr-
ian civil war, Hamas and Iran appear to be con-
tinuing their partnership. In 2015, Iran reportedly 
transferred ‘‘tens of millions’’ of dollars to Hamas. 
Hamas Deputy Political Director Mousa Abu 
Marzook stated in a TV interview, ‘‘The support of-
fered 
by 
Iran 
to 
the 
Palestinian 
resistance 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:50 Jun 08, 2017
Jkt 069000
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2712.IH
H2712
lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with BILLS
[Hamas]—be it in logistics, training or funds—is 
unmatched and beyond the capabilities of other 
countries.’’. 
(7) It is currently unclear exactly how much fi-
nancial support Hamas receives from Iran; however, 
in a February 2017 interview, Khaled al-Qaddumi, 
Hamas’ representative in Iran, stated, ‘‘[I]n terms 
of financial and political support—and even military 
support—Iran’s offerings have not stopped.’’. 
(8) Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) was des-
ignated an Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by 
the Department of State on October 8, 1997, and 
was also named a Specially Designated Global Ter-
rorist (SDGT) by the Department of the Treasury 
under Executive Order 13224 in 2005. 
(9) Palestinian Islamic Jihad has claimed credit 
for multiple terrorist attacks in Israel, including an 
attack that killed New Jersey student, Alisa Flatow. 
(10) Palestinian Islamic Jihad receives consid-
erable support from Iran, including training, weap-
ons, and cash. According to press reports, Iran pro-
vides approximately $70,000,000 to Palestinian Is-
lamic Jihad as an annual budget. In 2012, Pales-
tinian Islamic Jihad fired Iranian-engineered Fajr 5 
missiles from Gaza into Israel. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:50 Jun 08, 2017
Jkt 069000
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2712.IH
H2712
lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with BILLS
(11) Support for Palestinian terrorism is an im-
pediment to a two-state solution and reduces the 
likelihood of a lasting, sustainable peace between 
Israelis and Palestinians. 
(b) STATEMENT OF POLICY.—It shall be the policy 
of the United States to prevent Hamas, the Palestinian 
Islamic Jihad, or any affiliate or successor thereof from 
accessing its international support networks. 
SEC. 3. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO FOR-
EIGN PERSONS AND AGENCIES AND INSTRU-
MENTALITIES 
OF 
FOREIGN 
STATES 
SUP-
PORTING HAMAS, THE PALESTINIAN ISLAMIC 
JIHAD, OR ANY AFFILIATE OR SUCCESSOR 
THEREOF. 
(a) IDENTIFICATION.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 120 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, and an-
nually thereafter for a period not to exceed 3 years, 
the President shall submit to the appropriate con-
gressional committees a report that identifies each 
foreign person or agency or instrumentality of a for-
eign state that the President determines— 
(A) assists in, sponsors, or provides finan-
cial, material, or technological support for, or 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:50 Jun 08, 2017
Jkt 069000
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2712.IH
H2712
lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with BILLS
sponsoring, or providing significant financial, 
material, or technological support for, or goods 
or services to or in support of, Hamas, the Pal-
estinian Islamic Jihad, or any affiliate or suc-
cessor thereof, or any person described in sub-
paragraph (A) or (B). 
(3) FORM OF REPORT.—Each report required 
under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassi-
fied form, but may contain a classified annex. 
(4) EXCEPTION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The President shall not 
be required to identify a foreign person or an 
agency or instrumentality of a foreign state in 
a report pursuant to paragraph (1)(B) if— 
(i) the foreign person or agency or in-
strumentality of a foreign state notifies the 
United States Government in advance that 
it proposes to engage in a significant 
transaction as described in paragraph 
(1)(B); and 
(ii) the President determines and noti-
fies the appropriate congressional commit-
tees in a classified form not less than 15 
days prior to the foreign person or agency 
or instrumentality of a foreign state engag-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:50 Jun 08, 2017
Jkt 069000
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2712.IH
H2712
lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with BILLS
ing in the significant transaction that the 
significant transaction is in the national 
interests of the United States. 
(B) 
NON-APPLICABILITY.—Subparagraph 
(A) shall not apply with respect to— 
(i) an agency or instrumentality of a 
foreign state which the Secretary of State 
determines has repeatedly provided support 
for acts of international terrorism pursu-
ant to section 6(j) of the Export Adminis-
tration Act of 1979 (as continued in effect 
pursuant to the International Emergency 
Economic Powers Act), section 40 of the 
Arms Export Control Act, section 620A of 
the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, or any 
other provision of law; or 
(ii) any significant transaction de-
scribed in paragraph (1)(B) that involves, 
directly or indirectly, a foreign state de-
scribed in clause (i). 
(b) IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The President shall impose 
two or more of the sanctions described in paragraph 
(2) with respect to a foreign person or an agency or 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:50 Jun 08, 2017
Jkt 069000
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2712.IH
H2712
lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with BILLS
instrumentality of a foreign state identified pursuant 
to subsection (a). 
(2) SANCTIONS DESCRIBED.—The sanctions re-
ferred to in paragraph (1) are the following: 
(A) The President may direct the Export- 
Import Bank of the United States not to give 
approval to the issuance of any guarantee, in-
surance, extension of credit, or participation in 
the extension of credit in connection with the 
export of any goods or services to the foreign 
person or agency or instrumentality of the for-
eign state, and the Export-Import Bank of the 
United States shall comply with any such direc-
tion. 
(B) No sales of any defense articles, de-
fense services, or design and construction serv-
ices under the Arms Export Control Act (22 
U.S.C. 2751 et seq.) may be made to the for-
eign person or agency or instrumentality of the 
foreign state. 
(C) No licenses for export of any item on 
the United States Munitions List that include 
the foreign person or agency or instrumentality 
of the foreign state as a party to the license 
may be granted. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:50 Jun 08, 2017
Jkt 069000
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2712.IH
H2712
lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with BILLS
(D) No exports may be permitted to the 
foreign person or agency or instrumentality of 
the foreign state of any goods or technologies 
controlled for national security reasons under 
the Export Administration Regulations, except 
that such prohibition shall not apply to any 
transaction subject to the reporting require-
ments of title V of the National Security Act of 
1947 (50 U.S.C. 413 et seq.; relating to con-
gressional oversight of intelligence activities). 
(E) The President shall prohibit any 
United States financial institution from making 
loans or providing any credit or financing total-
ing more than $10,000,000 to the foreign per-
son or agency or instrumentality of the foreign 
state, except that this subparagraph shall not 
apply— 
(i) to any transaction subject to the 
reporting requirements of title V of the 
National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 
413 et seq.; relating to congressional over-
sight of intelligence activities); 
(ii) to the provision of medicines, 
medical equipment, and humanitarian as-
sistance; or 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:50 Jun 08, 2017
Jkt 069000
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2712.IH
H2712
lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with BILLS
(iii) to any credit, credit guarantee, or 
financial assistance provided by the De-
partment of Agriculture to support the 
purchase of food or other agricultural com-
modities. 
(F)(i) The President may exercise of all 
powers granted to the President by the Inter-
national Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 
U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (except that the require-
ments of section 202 of such Act (50 U.S.C. 
1701) shall not apply) to the extent necessary 
to block and prohibit all transactions in all 
property and interests in property of a foreign 
person or agency or instrumentality of the for-
eign state if such property and interests in 
property are in the United States, come within 
the United States, or are or come within the 
possession or control of a United States person. 
(ii) The penalties provided for in sub-
sections (b) and (c) of section 206 of the Inter-
national Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 
U.S.C. 1705) shall apply to a person that 
knowingly violates, attempts to violate, con-
spires to violate, or causes a violation of regula-
tions promulgated under section 501(a) to carry 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:50 Jun 08, 2017
Jkt 069000
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2712.IH
H2712
lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with BILLS
out clause (i) to the same extent that such pen-
alties apply to a person that knowingly commits 
an unlawful act described in section 206(a) of 
that Act. 
(iii) The President may exercise all au-
thorities provided to the President under sec-
tions 203 and 205 of the International Emer-
gency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702 
and 1704) for purposes of carrying out clause 
(i). 
(3) EXCEPTION.—The President shall not be 
required to apply sanctions with respect to a foreign 
person or an agency or instrumentality of a foreign 
state identified pursuant to subsection (a) if the 
President certifies in writing to the appropriate con-
gressional committees that— 
(A) the foreign person or agency or instru-
mentality of the foreign state— 
(i) is no longer carrying out activities 
or transactions for which the sanctions 
were imposed pursuant to this subsection; 
or 
(ii) has taken and is continuing to 
take significant verifiable steps toward ter-
minating the activities or transactions for 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:50 Jun 08, 2017
Jkt 069000
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2712.IH
H2712
lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with BILLS