Nikki Haley says Palestinians could lose US aid if they reject negotiations with Israel
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said the U.S. could cut off aid to the Palestinians if they continue to reject peace talks with Israel.
U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley addresses a United Nations Security Council meeting on the situation in Syria, April 27. Credit: UN Photo/Rick Bajornas.
Haley told reporters at the U.N. on Tuesday that the U.S. remains committed to the peace process, but implied that America would cut off aid to the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) if the Palestinians refuse to participate in negotiations.
“I think the president has basically said that he doesn’t want to give any additional funding until the Palestinians are agreeing to come back to the negotiation table,” Haley said. “We’re trying to move for a peace process, but if that doesn’t happen the president is not going to continue to fund that situation.”
Unlike all other global refugee situations, which are handled by the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, self-described displaced Palestinians and their descendants have had their own dedicated U.N. agency that provides education and social services to refugees scattered throughout the Middle East. The U.S. is the largest donor to UNRWA, providing more than $368 million to the agency in 2016, as well as the leading donor to the Palestinians overall.
Haley’s comments follow last week’s decision by the U.N.’s Administrative and Budgetary Committee to reject an increase in funding for UNRWA after Israeli diplomatic efforts. Israel has accused UNRWA of promoting anti-Israel bias and incitement. In January 2017, textbooks used in UNRWA schools were revealed to reference Zionism as a foreign “colonial movement,” while denying the historical and religious connections between Jews and Israel.
JNS.org
Well, that should make you feel better then, Adrian!! In fact, if the US withdraws its aids monies here, there and everywhere due to the misuse of it, viz. Palestinian Territories, and to certain countries who are not pulling their weight, it will make an enormous difference.
As far as Russia is concerned, although it obviously has its own agenda in the Middle East, still it discusses with Israel any activities that might directly affect it, and vice versa. And both China and India have during the last two years, after Netanyahu’s visits, become more involved with Israel via business and IT connections made. So, don’t get too excited.
No worries as China or Russia will fill the aid gap as they are already doing in Africa and the Middle East respectively.