ExecutiveOrdersEO
DetDeterminationObama · D

Presidential Determination

Waiver of Restriction on Providing Funds to the Palestinian Authority

President Obama waived a congressional restriction on providing foreign assistance funds to the Palestinian Authority, certifying that doing so served U.S. national security interests. The determination directs the Secretary of State to transmit it to Congress with a required report and publish it in the Federal Register.

Federal Register Open PDF 76 FR 59493

Impact dates

  1. Report to Congress under section 7040(d)

Key directives

  • Waive section 7040(a) restrictions on funds to Palestinian Authority
  • Transmit determination to Congress with report pursuant to section 7040(d)
  • Publish determination in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Waiver takes effect upon signing
  • Secretary of State directed to transmit to Congress and publish in Federal Register

Near term (90d)

  • Congressional report due under section 7040(d)

Long term

  • Continued foreign assistance flows to Palestinian Authority subject to annual appropriations and waiver renewals

Risks & tensions

  • Congressional opposition to Palestinian Authority funding likely
  • Annual waiver requirement creates recurring political friction
  • Timing amid Palestinian statehood bid at UN (September 2011) may intensify scrutiny
Presidential Determination: Waiver of Restriction on Providing Funds to the Palestinian Authority · Executive Orders