Biden's $250M Taxpayer-Funded Aid Gift to Palestinian Refugees Applauded by U.N
Funding comes as Americans suffer economic disaster from coronavirus
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The U.N agency for so-called Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, praised the Biden administration for offering $250 million in funding footed by the American taxpayer.
The Biden admin sidestepped the 2018 law preventing U.S. taxpayer dollars from supporting the Palestinian Authority.
The news comes as Americans continue to suffer from the coronavirus's economic fallout as jobless claims jump to over 700,000.
The agency’s commissioner-general, Philippe Lazzarini, said in a statement:
“UNRWA could not be more pleased that once again we will partner with the United States to provide critical assistance to some of the most vulnerable refugees across the Middle East," he said according to AFP.
“The U.S. contribution comes at a critical moment, as we continue to adjust to the challenges the Covid-19 pandemic presents.”
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The announcement comes amid speculation about a “quiet” effort to restart finance for the Palestinians.
Joe Biden is about to pour almost $100 million into Palestinian areas, while the Palestinians continue to pay for terrorists who murder Israelis & Americans.
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) March 31, 2021
He kept it from the American public.
It's deeply troubling, to say the least. https://t.co/ejBh50vsjn
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said there are also plans for economical and development assistance in the West Bank and Gaza worth $75m.
There are also 10m for peacebuilding programs through the U.S. Agency for International Development.
And an extra $150m in humanitarian assistance for the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
The direct Palestinian aid, which is being given in the middle of a pandemic, is in total contrast to President Donald Trump's policies.
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Trump signed the Taylor Force Act into law in 2018, preventing the U.S. from providing economic support and other funding to the Palestinian Authority while offers stipends for the families of deceased terrorists.
The Palestinian leadership lost U.S. funding after refusing to end payments.
Trump also cut UNRWA funding due to concerns of supporting terror.
The Taylor Force Act allowed for a limited set of humanitarian exemptions, like vaccination programs funding.
Meanwhile, Israel expressed anger after Biden's Palestinian support, arguing that the agency perpetuates the Palestinian refugee problem while undermining the Jewish state.
Palestinians expressed open contempt for Trump and his support of Israel.
“We believe that this U.N. agency for so-called ‘refugees’ should not exist in its current format,” said the Israeli ambassador to the United States, Gilad Erdan.
“I have expressed my disappointment and objection to the decision to renew UNRWA’s funding without first ensuring that certain reforms, including stopping the incitement and removing anti-Semitic content from its educational curriculum, are carried out,” Erdan said.
