CAIRO: In the latest show of disapproval for Palestinian statehood, the United States Congress has cut off nearly $200 million in aid to Palestine, money which would have been normally funneled into projects such as food aid and healthcare. Congress froze the funds, which were to be dispersed at the end of the US fiscal year, as a sign of their disapproval of a Palestinian state. Fears have arisen that this may only be the first step in a wider series of sanctions Congress may be willing to take if Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas continues his bid for statehood through the United Nations. The Palestinian Authority (PA) has strongly condemned Congress' actions, which they said were in direct opposition of the Obama administration's previously statements. Many in Congress have been calling for more cuts in funding, up to $600 million in total, in the next financial year. Unlike Congress, the Obama administration has argued that assistance to the Palestinians is “an essential part of the US commitment to a secure future and two-state solution for Palestinians,” according to an official statement. Bill Clinton, the former US President, has disapproved of the move, warning legislators to leave such decisions up to the administration. “Everybody knows the US Congress is the most pro-Israel parliamentary body in the world,” Clinton said. “They don't have to demonstrate that.” A chief spokesman for the PA, Ghassan Khatib, said in an official statement that such behavior was in no way constructive and that “such moves are unjustified.” He argued that the money is primarily for humanitarian and development projects, calling it a “collective punishment which is going to harm the needs of the public without making any positive contribution.” Khatib further added that it was ironic that the Palestinians are being punished for going to the United Nations. The cut in funding threatens many existing projects such as the purchase of supplies by the UN's World Food Program for impoverished families, health service reform and training and equipment to hospitals, as well as new projects scheduled to begin such as teacher-training and large scale road and water infrastructure developments. The PA has also argued that the Palestinian economy would double in size if Israeli occupation would end, allowing them to be independent of foreign aid. BM
