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Republican Senator James Risch withheld the funds, which had been approved by the US Congress, using procedures under US law in 2018. He claimed this was to ensure the funds would not go to Palestinian Authority or Hamas .
Supporters of US aid to Palestine say Risch’s detention of the funds is politically motivated and should eventually be lifted. A large group of Democratic Party politicians in the US House of Representatives, led by Jamie Raskin, who is Jewish, have demanded Risch relinquish the aid.
A spokesman for Risch confirmed the detentions remain in effect despite an appeal to lift them.
“I just don’t see any justification for withholding spending, other than the continued dehumanization, ridicule and collective punishment of the Palestinian people, particularly in Gaza,” said Ahmad Abuznaid, executive director of the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights.
“This is part of a consistent collective punishment against the Palestinian people, particularly the people of Gaza,” Abuznaid said as quoted from Al Jazeera, Wednesday (23/6/2021).
Disputes in Congress over the distribution of aid to Gaza and the occupied West Bank show how pro-Israel laws enacted during the previous Trump administration could hinder the efforts of the new Biden team to moderate the conflict.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who met with Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas on May 25, promised Washington would provide $75 million in long-term development and economic assistance to the Palestinians.
Also read: US Secretary of State: Two-State Solution is the Only Way for Israel-Palestine
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