U.S. Senator Tom Cotton to UN: Is Hamas a terrorist organization?

Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today wrote a letter to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, highlighting his refusal to refusal to call Hamas a terrorist organization in the wake of their brutal execution of six hostages. Senator Cotton pointed out the UN’s repeated false equivalencies between the nation of Israel and the terrorist group Hamas.

In part, Senator Cotton wrote:

“Could you please answer this simple question: Is Hamas a terrorist organization?”

Full text of the letter can be found here and below.

September 10, 2024

Mr. Volker Türk
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
United Nations Plaza
New York, New York 10017

Dear Mr. Türk:

I write regarding your shocking failure to condemn the terrorists of Hamas. While you preen as the moral voice of the world, you’ve refused to call Hamas a terrorist organization and repeatedly drawn a false equivalence between Hamas and Israel.

You and your United Nations colleagues should immediately and unequivocally call Hamas what it is: a terrorist organization. The United States, United Kingdom, Israel, Australia, Japan, and even the European Union took this action long ago.

Yet moral blindness unfortunately seems to be your modus operandi—never more evident than in your statement earlier this month after Hamas executed six hostages. Although you professed that you were “horrified” by the executions, you failed even to mention Hamas as the murderer and called for an “independent” investigation into the killing. Hamas had already admitted to these barbaric murders, so I’m not sure what such an investigation would prove.

Of course, the United Nation has an obscene penchant for targeting and smearing Israel. From the UN’s infamous “Zionism is Racism” resolution a half century ago to its parroting of Hamas casualty numbers today, the UN consistently sides with terrorists against the Jewish state. Your office especially has shown contempt for Israel, repeatedly posting criticisms of Israel on your official social-media accounts and falsely accusing Israel of war crimes.

Your moral equivalence between brutal terrorists and a nation-state protecting its citizens is appalling. You have painted Israel as the aggressor while ignoring that Hamas bears responsibility for civilian deaths in Gaza.

But you can address these concerns with very little effort by simply joining the rest of the civilized world. Could you please answer this simple question: Is Hamas a terrorist organization?

Please respond to this letter no later than September 17. To make it very easy for you, I’ll happily accept a letter that says nothing more than “Hamas is a terrorist organization” between the salutation and the signature line.

Surely you can muster the courage to do that?

Sincerely,

____________________

Tom Cotton

United States Senator

Womack forces Biden to sanction ICC Officials

Washington, DC—June 4, 2024…Today, Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) voted for H.R. 8282, the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation requires President Biden to impose sanctions against International Criminal Court (ICC) officials who investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute a U.S. person or our allies, including Israel.

Congressman Womack said, “Hamas is a ruthless terrorist organization that murdered the most Jews since the Holocaust and is still holding dozens of innocent people hostage, including Americans. Israel has every right to rid the world of this evil force—and America should support them. The ICC's actions are baseless and outrageous. Despite President Biden’s weakness, House Republicans showed strength today by passing this legislation. There must be real consequences for the ICC’s illegitimate attempts to bypass our country’s and our ally’s judicial processes and sovereignty.”

Background:

• On May 20, 2024, the Prosecutor of the ICC, Karim Khan, announced arrest warrant applications for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, together with warrants for Hamas terrorists.

• In 2020, President Trump issued Executive Order 13928 sanctioning ICC officials, employees and associates who engaged in any effort by the ICC to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute U.S. citizens or allies – including Israel – that are not part of the ICC or have not granted the ICC jurisdiction.

• On April 2, 2021, President Biden revoked EO 13928, allowing the ICC to target U.S. citizens and Israel.

• The U.S. and Israel are not parties to the Rome Statute or members of the ICC, and therefore the ICC has no legitimacy or jurisdiction over the U.S. or Israel.

Boozman, Graham introduce resolution condemning action by Biden Administration to withhold weapons for Israel

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) joined Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and 46 Republican senators to introduce a resolution that condemns any action by the Biden administration to withhold or restrict ammunition or weapons for Israel.

“Israel is an American ally and we have a commitment to help our partner defend itself against Hamas terrorists and Iran and its proxies. President Biden’s decision to withhold critical weapons for Israel goes against our long-standing promise and makes it more difficult to rescue American hostages. His administration must unmistakably stand with Israel and deliver the resources it needs to successfully protect its interests,” Boozman said.

The resolution:

• Condemns any decision by the Biden administration to halt the shipment of United States-made ammunition and weapons to the State of Israel;

• Demands the Biden administration continue to fulfill the military aid requests from the State of Israel in order to provide the weapons needed to defeat Hamas and defend against attacks from the Islamic Republic of Iran and its proxies;

• Reaffirms the importance of the long history of the United States providing military aid to the State of Israel and willingness to expedite delivery of such aid in times of crisis; and

• Upholds the commitment of the United States to the State of Israel’s security and long-term prosperity.

The resolution is also cosponsored by Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Susan Collins (R-ME), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Jim Risch (R-ID), Marco Rubio (R-FL),  John Thune (R-SD), John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mike Braun (R-IN), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), John Cornyn (R-TX), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Josh Hawley (R-MO), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Ron Johnson (R-WI), John Kennedy (R-LA), James Lankford (R-OK), Mike Lee (R-UT), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-SC), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), J.D. Vance (R-OH), Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Todd Young (R-IN).

Womack cosponsored measures combatting Iran’s unprovoked attack on Israel pass the House

Washington, DC—April 18, 2024…In response to Iran’s unprovoked attack on Israel last weekend, House Republicans passed a slew of legislation to deter further aggression from Iran and support our ally, Israel. Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) supported every bill and is a cosponsor of two of them: H.R. 5947, To provide for the rescission of certain waivers and licenses relating to Iran, which passed the House of Representatives yesterday, and H. Res. 1143, Condemning Iran’s unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel, which passed today. 

Congressman Womack said, “Iran, the leading state sponsor of terror and brazen human rights abuser, hasn’t changed their ultimate goal – destroying the State of Israel. House Republicans have stepped up where the Biden Administration has fallen short. Advancing legislation this week to deter further aggression from Iran is our strategic and moral obligation to our friend and ally. The United States must continue to stand in unwavering support of Israel in their fight to protect their people and rid the world of evil terrorists.” 

Bill breakdowns: 

• H.R. 5947, To provide for the rescission of certain waivers and licenses relating to Iran: In September 2023, the Biden Administration unfroze $6 billion in Iranian funds as part of a prisoner swap, allowing funds in South Korea and Qatar to be released to Iran for humanitarian needs. As everyone knows, money is fungible, meaning releasing money for humanitarian purposes allow Iran to shift money programmed for that purpose directly to support terrorism. In November 2023, the House passed HR 5961, the No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act, which imposed sanctions on financial institutions engaging in transactions with the banks holding these funds. This bill would rescind the waiver used to unfreeze these funds in the first place, limiting the president’s ability to exercise the waiver in the future. (Womack Cosponsor)

• H. Res. 1143, Condemning Iran’s unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel: Condemns Iran’s recent attacks on Israel, reaffirms and supports Israel’s right to self-defense, and urges full enforcement of the United States’ sanctions and export controls against Iran. (Womack Cosponsor)

• H.R. 6046, Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act: Requires the Secretary of State to designate Ansarallah, commonly referred to as the “Houthis”, as a foreign terrorist organization under the Immigration and Nationality Act and imposes sanctions on the Houthis and its affiliates.

• H.R. 6323, Iran Counterterrorism Act: Requires Iran to have ceased support for acts of international terrorism as a condition for the President to waive secondary sanctions imposed with respect to the country. Also provides for a congressional review process for national security interest waivers (issued by OFAC) of these sanctions. 

• H.R. 4691, Iran Sanctions Relief Review Act: Establishes a review period for Congress to examine executive actions that ease or waive sanctions on Iran, requires the President to submit a report to Congress detailing the Administration’s proposed action and how it affects the United States’ national security and foreign policy interests in relation to Iran, and establishes expedited legislative procedures by which both chambers of Congress may pass a joint approval or disapproval resolution allowing or prohibiting the President’s actions with respect to Iran.

House passes Westerman cosponsored bills to combat Iranian aggression

U.S. Congressman Bruce Westerman

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass H.R. 6046 and H.R. 5947, legislation cosponsored by Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) to comprehensively address the threat posed by Iran. Westerman released the following statement in support of the bills:

“Iran is one of the world’s foremost sponsors of terrorism. The Obama Administration set an unruly precedent of appeasing Iran that the Biden Administration has compounded. This weakness has emboldened Iran to continue launching unjustified attacks against Israel, our greatest ally in the Middle East, just as we saw this past weekend. House Republicans acted swiftly this week with a slate of bills to stand with Israel and respond to Iran’s unprecedented attacks. I was proud to support these measures to further block Iran’s ability to continue financing these heinous attacks.”

BACKGROUND:
In 2021, the Biden Administration wrongfully removed the Iran-backed Houthis’ designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). Since then, the Houthis have increased their terrorist activities, including their ongoing missile and drone attacks against global shipping.

• H.R.  6046 would mandate the reimposition of the FTO and SDGT designations on the Houthis.

Since President Biden took office, the Biden Administration has used certain waivers and licenses related to Iran to transfer $6 billion in Iranian funds to restricted accounts in Qatar and $10 billion in payments from Iraq. The Iranian regime is highly skilled in evasion, cutting corners, and blurring lines to hide the true use of these funds, and the Biden Administration is compliant and complicit in these efforts. Any funding to Iran, even if nominally in a restricted account, frees up more money for Iran to use on malign activities. Iran is too potent a threat to the United States and our partners to allow these waivers to exist any longer.

• H.R. 5947 would eliminate any of these sanction waivers and licenses related to Iran.

Arkansas AG calls for removal of foreign student visa holders supporting terrorist groups

KUAR | By Antoinette Grajeda / Arkansas Advocate

From the Arkansas Advocate:

Arkansas’ attorney general led a coalition calling on federal officials to remove student visa holders who support terror activity from groups like Hamas.

Attorney General Tim Griffin on Wednesday sent a letter on behalf of 20 state attorneys general to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas asking them to “vigorously renew vetting of foreign student visa holders” and remove anyone who has endorsed terrorist activity or provided “material support to foreign terrorist organizations.”

“Antisemitism and anti-Israel activity are unwelcome in Arkansas,” Griffin said in a statement. “Threats of violence against Jews are anathema to our American values and all who respect human dignity.”

Arkansas AG calls for removal of foreign student visa holders supporting terrorist groups

John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin, left, gestures during a news conference at the Arkansas Capitol.