House Republicans Propose Transferring Frozen Iranian Assets to Israel

Washington, D.C.- US Representative David Schweikert (R-Arizona) was joined by a bevy of Republicans in the House of Representatives to propose the Fortify Israel Act. 

The Fortify Israel Act would prohibit President Joe Biden from releasing frozen Iranian assets back to Iran and enable him to instead use these to support Israel’s defense efforts against Hamas.

Such funds would include $6 billion the US recently pledged to Iran for the release of American prisoners as well as any other US-accessible frozen Iranian assets. 

Representative Schweikert’s bill comes as reports demonstrate how Hamas’ brutal attacks on Israel were directed by and financed by Iran.

“The Iranian regime and other state sponsors of terrorism can no longer be permitted to fund Hamas’ terrorist activities against the people of Israel,” said Schweikert. 

 

Representative Byron Donalds (R-Fl) cosponsored the bill.

While the Fortify Israel Act could easily pass a Republican-led House, a Democrat-majority Senate would have to confirm it.

Democrat Legislators have largely condemned Hamas’ attacks, with some going as far as criticizing President Biden for allegedly appeasing Hamas.  Representative Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) criticized the Biden Administration's $6 billion release deal, stating that pro-Palestine Democrats are in the minority. 

"There should not be any payments to Iran. That is my position, and I think that money going to Iran was inappropriate," Moskowitz claimed.