Biden Administration Restoring Hundreds of Millions in Aid to Palestinians
Mike Wagenheim
04/11/2021
Reinstating aid cut by the previous administration gives the US a ‘seat at the table’ in order to help reform the UN refugee agency
The administration of US President Joe Biden is restoring hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to the Palestinians cut during the Donald Trump years. Supporters of the move say it’s the right thing to do, both humanely and politically. Opponents say it’s morally wrong, and is pushing, if not overstepping, legal boundaries set by Congress.
The State Department announced Wednesday it would provide at least $235 million in aid to the Palestinians, following less dramatic and quieter steps taken in recent weeks to fund Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza, including $15 million to vulnerable communities to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic and $75 million for economic support. The former funding was to be distributed through an American-based Catholic charity. The latter funding came without public notice.