BEIRUT: United States Congressman Howard L. Berman has introduced the Hezbollah Anti-Terrorism Act (HATA), legislation intended to block any American taxpayer funds from benefiting Hezbollah or any of its allies.
The legislation comes in response to developments in Lebanon, where Prime Minister Najib Mikati formed a new government Monday in which Hezbollah and its allies hold the majority.
HATA was introduced by Berman and a bipartisan group including Congressmen Darrell Issa, Charles Boustany and Nick Rahall, who are all of Lebanese origin.

Modeled on the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act (PATA) passed by Congress following Hamas’ election victory in Palestinian legislative elections in 2006, HATA outlines rigorous terms on foreign assistance to Lebanon during the periods that Hezbollah is part of the majority governing coalition.
“Hezbollah is a terrorist group and a cancer on Lebanon. The Hezbollah Anti-Terrorism Act surgically targets this cancer and will strengthen the position of Lebanese who oppose Hezbollah,” said Issa.

HATA states that it will prohibit U.S. foreign assistance to a Hezbollah-dependent Lebanese government unless the president certifies that the organization has disarmed and no longer supports terrorism, violence and attacks from Lebanese territory against Israel or if this government makes ample progress in dismantling Hezbollah’s military infrastructure in Lebanon.

HATA emphasizes that the legislation is not an end to United States foreign assistance to Lebanon, as it allows for humanitarian assistance as well military and educational training to ensure continual contact with the Lebanese military.
“The goal of the legislation is to ensure that none of our assistance to Lebanon benefits Hezbollah in any way. We certainly want to assist our friends in Lebanon – and we will – but we also want to make sure we don’t inadvertently help our enemies at the same time. This legislation leaves ample scope to do both,” said Berman.