Gingrich Decries Palestinian Killings

House Speaker Newt Gingrich accused Palestinians of Nazilike behavior Tuesday and called on Yasser Arafat to condemn and stop the killing of Arabs who sell land to Jews.

Gingrich, in a rare House floor speech in support of an amendment, outlined reports of killings and threats resulting from land deals and said, “This is the kind of action we identify with Nazis. This is the kind of racist activity that this planet holds to be reprehensible and unacceptable.

“Mr. Arafat, you owe it to the world to stop this kind of killing, to protect people engaged in decent commerce,” the speaker said.

Gingrich spoke in support of an amendment to foreign affairs legislation calling for an end to U.S. support for the Palestinian Authority, which passed on a voice vote.

During the debate, a string of Republicans and Democrats strongly criticized the Palestinian Authority and Arafat. The aid cutoff would not be binding on the Clinton administration but expresses the outrage of Congress.