Your federal government at work ... for Palestinians

"Consistent with current foreign policy,

certain transactions otherwise prohibited ...

are being authorized ..."

04/12/2006

The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has determined that Hamas, a terrorist entity whose property and interests in property are blocked under three separate OFAC-administered economic sanctions programs, has a property interest in the transactions of the Palestinian Authority. Accordingly, pursuant to the Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 594, the Terrorism Sanctions Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 595, and the Foreign Terrorist Organizations Sanctions Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 597, U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in transactions with the Palestinian Authority unless authorized, and may not transfer, pay, withdraw, export or otherwise deal in any assets in which the Palestinian Authority has an interest unless authorized. Consistent with current foreign policy, certain transactions otherwise prohibited pursuant to the Regulations are being authorized by general license to facilitate limited transactions by U.S. persons with the Palestinian Authority. General licenses or statements of licensing policy will be issued as appropriate to authorize additional transactions with the Palestinian Authority or to indicate limited circumstances under which other transactions may be considered for favorable licensing treatment on a case-by-case basis. Information on complying with specific aspects of these general licenses, including a list relevant to compliance with General License No. 4(b), is available on OFAC’s website.

And lest you think "certain [otherwise prohibited] transactions" are merely being "authorized," think again. They're being encouraged, promoted and assisted... all over our federal
dot-GOV. Here's just one thread, in addition to that Treasury Department loophole.

Yes, you can do business in the West Bank and Gaza! Dozens of American firms have established agencies and distributorships, and Palestinian consumers have a strong preference for a wide variety of U.S. goods and services.

Many American companies have reoriented their marketing efforts to acknowledge the Palestinian market as culturally, economically, and commercially distinct from the Israeli market.

The U.S. Commercial Service in Jerusalem strongly encourages American exporters wishing to market their goods in the West Bank & Gaza to use local Palestinian agents and distributors....

We can help you find well qualified Palestinian agents and distributors for your products.

.... The U.S. Commercial Service in Jerusalem offers invaluable assistance to U.S. companies seeking to export products and services to the West Bank and Gaza and expand their business in the market. We have developed excellent contacts with private sector representatives, and are able to provide U.S. companies with necessary introductions, market reports and guidance to facilitate doing business in the West Bank and Gaza.

So ... In addition to directly funding the Palestinian Authority [$150 million already released + $405 million more in the US.gov pipeline] our government is in the business of promoting doing business ... with the Palestinians. There are tons of U.S. government programs; I'm just starting to scratch the surface.

The Department of Commerce will not only help U.S. companies do business in the terror-tories, it's also out there soliciting Palestinians to do business with us! Consider for example this Reverse Gold Key program at the United States of America Department of Commerce website. Federal employees (need I mention that they are paid with your tax dollars?) will bend over backwards and hold your hand ... if you are Palestinian.

Just READ THIS. You'll flip (I did).

Looking for a U.S. partner?

If you are a Palestinian importer or agent looking for a U.S. manufacturer, or a Palestinian manufacturer with an innovative technology looking for a U.S. partner for joint R and D or product development,
we offer you the Gold Key USA.

Gold Key USA is the domestic version of the Gold Key Matching Service. It is designed to match Palestinian companies traveling to the U.S. with pre-screened, pre-qualified U.S. exporters or U.S. partners located in a specific area.

The fee for the service varies by location.

U.S. Commercial Service Trade Specialists at our Export Assistance Centers (EAC's) will provide you with:

• three to five appointments with pre-screened U.S. companies;


• a market briefing;


• office space for the day of scheduled appointments;


• domestic use of fax, telephone and internet;


• assistance arranging hotel accommodations;


• interpretation and transportation services for an additional fee;


• immediately contacting you or our office upon receipt of the preliminary assessment form to ensure that he/she has complete understanding of the types of suppliers the Gold Key USA client wants to meet;


• accompanying the Gold Key USA client on scheduled appointments if requested.

The market briefing is a consultation by a trade specialist about the industry market conditions in the USEAC coverage area for the product or service you are seeking to purchase.

The delivery time for this service is approximately five weeks from receipt of payment.

The most effective Gold Key USA results require your substantial involvement and follow-up. We strongly suggest that you work closely with the Commercial Specialist at the U.S. Commercial Service in Jerusalem and the Trade Specialist in the USEAC to clearly outline the type of international partner that you believe will be most useful to your company and establish an effective strategy for continuing communication with potential international partners.

If you are interested in this service, please go to our "Meet our Staff" section to send a message to one of our specialists.

Just more thing before I go back to doing my taxes (don't let the irony escape you). See the top link here, on the left, where it says "New!" in red?

Palestine Investment Conference
PIC-Palestine May 21-23, 2008

The Palestine Investment Conference, PIC-Palestine, May 21-23, 2008, aims to highlight investment opportunities in the Palestinian economy. It is a platform to share innovative business designs, forge genuine partnerships between investors in and outside Palestine, and encourage the already strong relationship between Palestine’s public and private sectors. The conference seeks the active support of entrepreneurs from the Arab world, the region, and the international community. It also aims to tap into the rich and varied experience of participants. The PIC-Palestine, May 21-23, 2008 message is simple: “You can do business in Palestine.” High-ranking members of the public and private sector from the West Bank/Gaza, Middle East, United States and elsewhere will participate in this conference to help encourage growth of a private –sector led Palestinian economy.

More information about PIC-Palestine-2008 is available at http://www.pic-palestine.ps1.

Click on it ... go ahead.

partner / sponsor:

Dear Investors:

The Palestine Investment Conference promises to be a historic event....

That's pretty "historic," alright -- holding a conference in a country that doesn't even exist.

With my money. And yours.

Just thought you'd wanna know.

Comments

[Bane]

Yes! Come to Palestine for all of your rocketry needs! Many sizes and ranges available.

[Miluimnik]

Anne, this has been going on forever...especially since the Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton charade has been in place. If you saw on American TV what we have witnessed in Israel...you could never defend the Bushes. (i.e. prior to 9-11 and angry GW would respond to every attack on our children with and angry, red-faced "NO! That is not terrorism". Also the fuming Dubya threatening my country when we confined Arafat to his HQ in the Muqata...after suffering an endless campaign of attacks and bus-bombings. Condi is Bush's puppet...Olmert is Condi's Poodle...........and it's been like this for a very long time! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHvFyzoCt1E Shalom....Michael from Herzliya

[Miluimnik]

# Israel Hints at Quicker End to Siege of Arafat Sat Sep 28, 7:18 PM - Reuters "The president believes that recent events in and around Ramallah are not helpful toward bringing peace to the region," said the U.S. official, who gave no detail of Bush's message. The Washington Post newspaper, citing diplomats and other sources, said the Bush administration had told Sharon the continued blockade of Arafat was affecting U.S. Iraq policy. More. # Israel Ends Arafat Siege, Licks Political Wounds Sun Sep 29, 6:06 - Reuters Israel licked its political wounds after ending its siege of Yasser Arafat ( news - web sites) under White House pressure to avoid upsetting U.S. plans for possible war on Iraq. Blowing kisses and making a V-for-Victory sign, the Palestinian president emerged from his battered compound on Sunday in the wake of clouds of dust from tanks retreating from a 10-day-old blockade that drew international condemnation. The pullback was an embarrassing climbdown for Prime Minister Ariel Sharon ( news - web sites)'s government, which sent armor roaring into the sprawling West Bank complex on September 19 after back-to-back Palestinian suicide bombings killed seven people in Israel. Sharon had vowed to end the siege -- his latest attempt to sideline a leader Washington says should be replaced by Palestinians "not compromised by terror" -- only when Arafat turned over 50 suspected militants holed up with him. "The assessment was that we would be able to isolate Arafat," Communications Minister Reuven Rivlin, a member of Sharon's right-wing Likud party, told Israeli television. "To our great sorrow, we cannot always get everything we want." More. Shalom....Michael from Herzliya

[UnMask911]

A free Palestine. A sovereign nation unoccupied by the zionist hordes. Hamas: democratically elected by the people of Palestine. End Israeli/zionist war crimes, occupation, genocide. Prosecute as war criminals those responsible for the systematic slaughter of Palestinians. Enough Israeli propraganda.!!! Israel out of US govt. Palestine: a free and sovereign nation.

[wilson]

That sure is strange. Especially since the US is controlled by dual citizenship holding Israelis. Why would they kill their own? We know they don't care about the filthy Goyim (cattle). AIPAC won't stand for this! In any event, I'm sure we know who'll profit.

[Laura]

We ought not be doing business with this terrorist entity "palestine". A country that doesn't exist and hopefull will NEVER exist. Tell me why these savages deserve statehood?

[A]

I don't know that this is necessarily such a bad idea. We want to encourage people who don't think that the U.S. is "the big Satan." An economically healthy people is a less desperate/violent people. If they'd kept those greenhouses instead of trashing them, they'd be better off and hopefully less likely to support Hamas. It's better that these people be employed in legitimate business than as PA "policemen." The less money that goes through a corrupt PA in aid, the better.

[Michael]

"Wilson".....you are absolutely right! And since i have just received my monthly stipend from the "World Zionist Conspiracy"...I am in the mood for a party! Why don't you post your name and address so we can meet for drinks"?