Congressmen introduce bill to create Israeli-Palestinian peace fund

February 28, 2017

    Mahmoud Abbas shaking hands with Benjamin Netanyahu, Sept. 2, 2010

Two congressmen introduced a measure to establish and provide money for an international fund to promote peace between Israel and Palestinians.

Reps. Jeff Fortenberry, R-Neb., and Joseph Crowley, D-N.Y., introduced a bill on Monday urging the United States to establish — in cooperation with the Israeli government, the Palestinian Authority, regional governments and the international community — a fund to promote Israeli-Palestinian cooperation, dialogue and joint economic development.

The measure, called the International Fund for Israeli-Palestinian Peace Authorization Act of 2017, would require the United States to provide at least $50 million to the fund annually from 2017 to 2021 and provide two bipartisan representatives to serve on its board.