Emily Jacobs
Fox NewsSat, 03 Apr 2021 00:00 UTC
© APThen VP Joe Biden and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
The Biden administration is quietly ramping up its financial assistance to Palestinians, in the latest reversal of former President Donald Trump's foreign policy.
The State Department, along with the US Agency for International Development,
notified Congress of their intent to deliver nearly $75 million in aid to the region just one day after announcing
a $15 million commitment publicly to vulnerable Palestinian groups. The State Department declined to say whether the $15 million was included in the $75 million mentioned to Congress, or if the two were separate payments. The funds do not require further Congressional approval, as they were largely appropriated in the 2020 fiscal year budget.
They weren't spent prior to President Biden taking office, however, because of the Trump administration policy blocking nearly all aid to Palestinians. Then-President Trump severed ties with the Palestinian Authority in August 2018, amid heightened tensions over the then-commander-in-chief's decision to move the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The decision to block aid resulted in the Palestinians losing out on over $200 million.
The Biden administration did not go out of it's way to publicize the payment renewals,
likely an effort to not cause concern among pro-Israel Americans over his Middle East positions.Reached for comment, State Department spokesman Ned Price reiterated the Biden administration's support for resuming aid to the Palestinians:
"We continue to believe that American support for the Palestinian people, including financial support, it is consistent with our values. It is consistent with our interests. Of course, it is consistent with the interests of the Palestinian people. It's also consistent with the interests of our partner, Israel, and we'll have more to say on that going forward."
While Biden may not support the Trump doctrine on all aspects of foreign policy, he has welcomed one effort by the previous president: the Abraham Accords.The Abraham Accords were signed in September of last year, normalizing relations between Israel and two Gulf countries in a deal spearheaded by the Trump administration.
Biden pledged at the time to build on the work of his predecessor, praising the diplomatic achievements that brought together Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Israel.
Comment: Blinken offers up 'reversals of fortune' affecting both Palestinians and Israelis:
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Friday on Israel to ensure "equal" treatment of the Palestinians as the new US administration cautiously steps up efforts for a two-state solution.
In a telephone call with Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, Blinken "emphasized the administration's belief that Israelis and Palestinians should enjoy equal measures of freedom, security, prosperity and democracy," State Department spokesman Ned Price said.
Blinken also committed to Israel's security, the "strengthening all aspects of the US-Israel partnership" and voiced support for the Jewish state's agreements over the past year to normalize relations with four more Arab nations.
US President Joe Biden, while stressing his support for Israel, has also signaled he will back away from the unwavering support of the right-wing Netanyahu by his predecessor Donald Trump.
The administration has stepped up humanitarian aid to the Palestinians and in recent days made clear that it believes that Israel's control of the West Bank is "occupation."
"We believe when it comes to settlement activity that Israel should refrain from unilateral steps that exacerbate tensions and that undercut efforts to advance a negotiated two-state solution."
Blinken has nonetheless made clear that the administration will not roll back some of Trump's signature moves, including recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
Blinken's call with Ashkenazi came the same day the US revoked sanctions on top officials at the International Criminal Court that were imposed under the Trump administration. He said the economic sanctions imposed on ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda and a top aide in 2019 "were inappropriate and ineffective," and were therefore lifted.
Last month, the administration said it "firmly" opposes the ICC's decision to open an investigation into alleged war crimes committed by Israel and the Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem.
There was no mention of the ICC's decision to investigate US war crimes.
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Comment: Blinken offers up 'reversals of fortune' affecting both Palestinians and Israelis: There was no mention of the ICC's decision to investigate US war crimes.
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