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Palestinians are facing the prospect of much less American help
The Trump Administration is reducing its annual contribution of $ 300 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, citing a disproportionate burden and an ever-growing pool of beneficiaries; Trey Yingst reports from the West Bank.
Jerusalem, Israel – President Trump said Thursday at a press conference with US Jewish leaders that he was using cuts in refugee aid funds as a currency to bring Palestinians back to the United States. peace negotiations led by the United States.
Last month, the Trump administration cut $ 300 million in annual funding for the UN relief group UNRWA. According to a spokesman for the State Department, the cuts were due to a disproportionate burden and a growing pool of beneficiaries.
UN Ambassador Nikki Haley doubled this week following a decision by the Trump administration during his speech at the United Nations.
"For two years, we have been asking UNRWA to reform because there is a constant refugee population that is unsustainable," Haley said.
The 85-year-old Palestinian refugee Abdul Majid Abu Srour has been receiving United Nations assistance since 1950. Srour grew up in what is now Israel, but after the Israeli War of Independence in 1948 he fled another 700,000.
Srour, who lives in the West Bank, is one of five million people across the Middle East to get help from the United Nations Relief Agency, UNRWA.
"It's a big mistake of the American president because the Palestinians have a fair case and the United States knows what Israel has done to the Palestinian people," Srour said.
Palestinians receiving assistance from UNRWA are not only located in the West Bank. More than 2 million Palestinian refugees live in Jordan and more than 1.4 million people currently live in the Gaza Strip.
UNRWA provides food to more than 1,000,000 Gazans each quarter, according to UNRWA director in Gaza Matthias Schmale.
"Palestinians and Israelis with mediators must agree with this and until they have agreed on a solution that is considered fair and equitable," he said. UNRWA must provide these services, "said Schmale.
