U.S. Congress Bans Talks with Hamas

The U.S. Congress has passed the Palestinian Anti-Terror Act of 2006, forbidding the U.S. administration from holding talks with the Palestinian Hamas government until the terror organization recognizes Israel's right to exist and denounces terror. The bill must still be approved by President Bush. According to the bill, the U.S. will refrain from aiding the PA directly until the president declares that it is no longer controlled by a terror organization. The bill also forbids U.S. officials to hold talks or meet with members of Hamas or other terror organizations, and denies Hamas members the possibility of receiving U.S. visas.