The United States has officially ceased all $60 million in security assistance to the Palestinian Authority as the U.S. Agency for International Development closed its operations in the West Bank and Gaza.
“At the request of the Palestinian Authority, we have wound down certain projects and programs funded with assistance under the authorities specified in ATCA in the West Bank and Gaza,” a USAID official told Reuters this past Friday (Feb. 1).
This development occurred in accordance with the Anti-Terrorism Clarification Act, signed into law in October, that provides protections for American victims of international terrorism.
Israel has reportedly urged the Trump administration to fix the ATCA to preserve the security assistance.
On Wednesday, a U.S. State Department spokesperson told JNS: “We continue to work through the potential impact of the Anti-Terrorism Clarification Act. In consultation with partners, we have taken steps to wind down certain projects and programs in the West Bank and Gaza.”
Despite Palestinian official Saeb Erekat telling AFP that “we don’t want to receive any money if this will take us to court,” the PA slammed Friday’s move.
“The suspension of aid to our people, which included critical sectors such as health and education, will have a negative impact on all, create a negative atmosphere, and increase instability,” said spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh.