32 cosponsors
“To require the Attorney General to establish an office in the Department of Justice to monitor acts of international terrorism alleged to have been committed by Palestinian individuals or individuals acting on behalf of Palestinian organizations and to carry out certain other related activities.”
States that since 1948 “many” U.S. citizens have been “injured or killed” in “terrorist attacks” occurring in and outside of the Middle East. Also states that the U.S. has taken “an active role” in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including through financial assistance to Palestinian organizations, but that “little has been done to apprehend, indict, prosecute, and convict Palestinian individuals who have committed terrorist attacks against” U.S. citizens.
The office to be established will:
1) “monitor acts of international terrorism alleged to have been committed by Palestinian individuals or individuals acting on behalf of Palestinian organizations; 2) Collect information against individuals alleged to have committed acts of international terrorism described in paragraph (1).
(3) Offer rewards for information on individuals alleged to have committed acts of international terrorism described in paragraph (1), including the dissemination of information relating to such rewards in the Arabic-language media.
(4) Negotiate with the Palestinian Authority or related entities to obtain financial compensation for nationals of the United States, or their families, injured or killed by acts of terrorism described in paragraph (1).
(5) In conjunction with other appropriate Federal departments and agencies, establish and implement alternative methods to apprehend, indict, prosecute, and convict individuals who commit acts of terrorism described in paragraph (1).
(6) Contact the families of victims of acts of terrorism described in paragraph (1) and provide updates on the progress to apprehend, indict, prosecute, and convict the individuals who commit such acts.”
(7) In order to effectively carry out paragraphs (1) through (6), provide for the permanent stationing of an appropriate number of United States officials in Israel, in territory administered by Israel, in territory administered by the Palestinian Authority, and elsewhere, to the extent practicable. Finally, it authorizes an unspecified dollar amount, “as may be necessary to carry out this act.”
See also: companion measure S. 1377 on 8/3/01.