Biden Restores $15 Million Humanitarian Aid to Palestinians

U.S. envoy to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield announced Thursday that Washington will restore financial aid to the Palestinians and will transfer $15 million to Palestinian-controlled areas in Yehuda and Shomron and Gaza.

“President Biden is restoring U.S. assistance programs that support economic development and humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people,” she said. “The aid will help Palestinians in dire need, which will bring more stability and security to both Israelis and Palestinians alike. That’s consistent with our interests and our values, and it aligns with our efforts to stamp out the pandemic and food insecurity worldwide.”

She stressed this is a return to the status quo that existed under previous presidents before Trump, and that the United States and Israel remain close allies.

“The United States will continue to steadfastly stand by Israel, especially when it is unfairly singled out by one-sided resolutions and actions in international bodies,” Thomas-Greenfield said. “Our approach is to advance freedom, security, and prosperity for Israelis and Palestinians in tangible ways in the immediate term.”

The decision represents an anticipated reversal of Trump administration policies in the Mideast, during which over $260 million in U.S. assistance to the Palestinians had been withdrawn, due to support for terrorist activities.