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Palestinians in Violation, but U.S. Waives Sanctions
12/5/2002

Matthew E. Berger
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
WASHINGTON

For the first time, the White House has officially determined that the Palestinians are not in compliance with the agreements it has signed with the United States and Israel.

But despite the determination, President Bush immediately waived any sanctions required by law, invoking national security as the reason.

The president’s findings coincide with the release of the State Department’s semiannual report on Palestinian compliance.

The report, obtained by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency on Tuesday, says the Palestinians have not complied with several elements of its agreements, including recognizing the right of Israel to exist in peace and security, solving all disputes through negotiation and peaceful means, and renouncing the use of violence.

Because of the sanction waiver, Monday’s actions have no concrete effect.

Some American Jewish organizational officials and lawmakers are nonetheless praising the symbolic gesture of chastising the Palestinians for their noncompliance, but are criticizing the president’s waiver of the sanctions.

“This finding is an important recognition by the U.S. government of Palestinian Authority involvement in and support for terrorism,” said Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League.

At the same time, Foxman said, “given the severity of the evidence affirming the P.A.’s noncompliance, we are disappointed that the White House chose to waive the sanctions.”

The 12-page State Department report found that “the PLO has not complied with its commitments to assume responsibility over all PLO elements and personnel to assure their compliance with the renunciation of the use of terrorism, prevent violations and discipline violators.” It also found that P.A. officials have supported violence “even as they called for renewed negotiations.”

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