H.R. 4983: Keeping Official Territories Eligible for Land-use Act

This bill, known as the Keeping Official Territories Eligible for Land-use Act (or KOTEL Act), proposes to repeal an existing prohibition on the use of federal funds for the site acquisition, development, or construction of any facility in specific areas, namely Israel, Jerusalem, or the West Bank. The current law, established under Section 414 of the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986, restricts such funding. By repealing this prohibition, this bill would allow the government to allocate federal funds for projects related to site acquisition and the construction of facilities in the specified regions, potentially opening the door for new development and construction initiatives.The bill aims to facilitate the expansion and enhancement of infrastructure and services in these areas by removing financial barriers, thereby shifting the landscape of federal engagement in local development within Israel and the Palestinian territories. The introduction of this bill is part of a larger context of U.S. policy and foreign relations strategies concerning involvement in Israel and Palestine. It reflects a legislative effort to reconsider how federal support can be utilized in these officially recognized territories.

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