Antony Blinken says US will resume funding to UNRWA for Palestinian Refugees

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The administration of US President Joe Biden has resumed US assistance to the Palestinians. It includes funding the UN agency to deal with issues related to Palestinian refugees which had been eliminated by former President Donald Trump. The US State Department announced on Wednesday that it would provide a total of $235 million to projects in the West Bank, Gaza, and to the UNRWA (UN Relief and Works Agency). Point to be noted that the Biden administration had previously announced $15 million for the Palestinians to combat the coronavirus pandemic. The resumption of assistance has raised concerns in Congress from pro-Israel legislators saying the money may violate US law. Moreover, the administration notified Congress of its intent to ramp up aid to the Palestinians. But, it had not publicly acknowledged any assistance until Wednesday other than that for COVID-19.

The recent move came after the administration cements a new Mideast policy that is directly opposite of the one pursued by Trump in many ways. The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken issued a statement and said, “The United States is pleased to announce that, working with Congress, we plan to restart US economic, development, and humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people”. He said the money includes $75 million in economic and development assistance in the West Bank and Gaza, $10 million for peace-building programs, and $150 million for UNRWA. Blinken also said, “All assistance will be provided consistent with US law. US foreign assistance for the Palestinian people serves important US interests and values. It provides critical relief to those in great need, fosters economic development, and supports Israeli-Palestinian understanding, security coordination, and stability. It also aligns with the values and interests of our allies and partners”.

The Biden administration has made no secret of its belief that Trump’s approach to the Mideast. The new assistance appears designed at encouraging the Palestinians to return to negotiations with Israel. However, there is no indication it will have that effect and Israel has yet to weigh in publicly. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley had championed the removal of funding for the relief agency. They suggested that it was responsible for perpetuating Palestinian poverty and questioning whether all of the millions of people it serves are actually refugees. It is noteworthy that pro-Israel legislators said the US federal laws prohibit direct assistance to the Palestinian Authority or the provision of aid that benefits the PA, as long as it continues to pay stipends to people convicted of anti-US or anti-Israel attacks and their families.