US halts funding to UN agency aiding Palestinians

Discussion in 'Middle East' started by MGB ROADSTER, Sep 2, 2018.

  1. MGB ROADSTER

    MGB ROADSTER Banned

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    The United States on Friday halted all funding to a UN agency that helps Palestinian refugees in a decision further heightening tensions between the Palestinian leadership and the Trump administration.
    US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said the business model and fiscal practices of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) made it an "irredeemably flawed operation."
    "The administration has carefully reviewed the issue and determined that the United States will not make additional contributions to UNRWA," she said in a statement.
    Nauert added that the agency's "endlessly and exponentially expanding community of entitled beneficiaries is simply unsustainable and has been in crisis mode for many years."
    The latest announcement comes a week after US administration announced it would redirect $200 million in Palestinian economic support funds for programs in the West Bank and Gaza.
    UNRWA spokesman Chris Gunness voiced the agency's "deep regret and disappointment" at the decision, which he said was surprising given that a December US funding agreement had acknowledged UNRWA's successful management.
    "We reject in the strongest possible terms the criticism that UNRWA's schools, health centers, and emergency assistance programs are 'irredeemably flawed,'" Gunness added in a series of Twitter posts.
    The United States paid out $60 million to UNRWA in January, withholding another $65 million, from a promised $365 million for the year. The 68-year-old agency says it provides services to about 5 million Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the West Bank and Gaza.
    US President Donald Trump and his aides say they want to improve the Palestinians' plight, as well as start negotiations on an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement.

    https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5338984,00.html

    :applause::applause::applause:

    This money was used for decades to perpetuate the Palesh-tino refugee status.
    It is preferable that the money be used for higher purposes such as sopport American
    army retirees.
     

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