Foreign Relations Authorization Act, FY2004-2005

H.R.1950
Introduced: 
May 5, 2003
108
First
July 17, 2003
Placed on Senate calendar

2 cosponsors.

MRA: Authorizes $50m to Israel for resettlement of refugees from the former Soviet Union.
United States policy with respect to Jerusalem as the capital of Israel: No publications can be printed bearing the names of countries and their capitals unless Jerusalem is listed as the capital of Israel. For purposes of the issuance of a passport of a United States citizen born in the city of Jerusalem, the secy. of state shall, upon the request of the citizen or the citizen's legal guardian, record the place of birth as Israel.
Annual Dept. of State reports on terrorism: They must include information on ‘terrorist’ attacks in Israel or PA territory that lists the person or group claiming responsibility and their nationality; all U.S. citizens that were killed or injured; date and place of the attack; lists of terrorists suspects in the PA police, PLO, or other Palestinian governing body; the status of each case against all perpetrators, including if released, if s/he was implicated in subsequent attacks; information on convictions, releases or changes in status of suspects involved in attacks prior to 12/31/03; and the policy of the Dept. of State on offering awards for information on terrorist suspects.
Report concerning efforts to promote Israel's diplomatic relations with other countries: States that the U.S. should assist Israel in developing ties with the 30 countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel at the present time. The secy. of state must submit a report detailing the communications with these 30 countries and their responses.
United States efforts regarding the status of Israel in the Western European and Others Group at the United Nations: States that the secretary of state and other appropriate officials of the U.S. government should pursue an aggressive diplomatic effort and should take all necessary steps to ensure the extension and upgrade of Israel's membership in the Western European and Others Group at the United Nations.
Sense of Congress concerning U.S. assistance to Palestinian refugees: Among other things, recognizes the importance of the U.S. assistance to Palestinian refugees as part of the ‘peace process;’ acknowledges the hardships endured by Palestinian refugees in the region; affirms that the U.S. has donated $2.5bto UNRWA since 1950 or 10 times more than that of the entire Arab world. Also expresses outrage at reports that UNRWA facilities are used for “terrorist training bases,” textbooks used by in UNRWA schools promoting anti-Semitism, and denial of the existence of the State of Israel.
Condemnation of attacks on U.S. citizens by Palestinians: Includes amendment number 25 that passed in committee (7/15/03 by voice vote) submitted by Rep. Phil Crane (R-IL). The amendment offered was Rep. Crane’s two previous, failed concurrent resolutions (H. Con. Res. 112 on 3/25/03 and H. Con. Res. 119 on 3/26/03).
Security Assistance to Israel: Extends the Security Assistance Act of 2000 (PL 106-280) and provides Israel with $550m for FY2003, $565m for FY2004 and $580m for FY2005.
Transfer to Israel of certain defense articles in the United States War Reserve Stockpiles for Allies: Can include armor, artillery, ammunition for automatic weapons, missiles, and other munitions that are: (1) obsolete or surplus items; (2) in the inventory of the Department of Defense; (3) intended for use as reserve stocks in Israel; and (4) are located in a stockpile in Israel as of the date of enactment of this Act.
The Israeli-Palestinian Peace Enhancement Act, 2003 (see S. 1029 on 5/8/03) is contained in this bill. This section did not get incorporated into H.R. 2800 (see below).
Cooperative development program: Grants $2m each for the years 2004 and 2005 for development projects administered by the U.S., Israel, and Africa.
West Bank and Gaza program: Contains a section that seeks to ensure proper oversight, vetting, and audits of U.S. assistance going to the West Bank and Gaza. It earm

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