The Biden government is quietly increasing its financial assistance to the Palestinians, in the latest reversal of former President Donald Trump’s foreign policy.
The State Department, together with the United States Agency for International Development, notified Congress of its intention to deliver nearly $ 75 million in aid to the region just one day after publicly announcing a $ 15 million commitment to groups. vulnerable Palestinians.
The State Department declined to say whether the $ 15 million was included in the $ 75 million mentioned to Congress, or whether the two were separate payments.
The funds no longer require congressional approval, as they were largely allocated in the budget for fiscal year 2020.
They were not spent before President Biden took office, however, because of the Trump administration’s policy that blocks almost all aid to the Palestinians.
Then President Trump severed ties with the Palestinian Authority in August 2018, amid heightened tensions over the then commander-in-chief’s decision to transfer the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
The decision to block aid resulted in the loss of more than $ 200 million for the Palestinians.
The Biden government has not gone out of its way to publicize payment renewals, probably an effort not to cause concern among pro-Israel Americans about their positions in the Middle East.
Asked to comment on the matter, State Department spokesman Ned Price reiterated the support of the Biden government to resume aid to the Palestinians.
“We continue to believe that American support for the Palestinian people, including financial support, is consistent with our values. It is consistent with our interests. Of course, it is consistent with the interests of the Palestinian people, ”Price told reporters.
“It is also consistent with the interests of our partner, Israel, and we will have more to say about it going forward,” he continued.
While Biden may not support the Trump doctrine in all aspects of foreign policy, he welcomed an effort by the previous president: the Abraham accords.
Abraham’s agreements were signed in September last year, normalizing relations between Israel and two Gulf countries in an agreement led by the Trump administration.
Biden at the time promised to develop the work of his predecessor, praising the diplomatic achievements that united Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Israel.
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