The Palestinian Authority (PA) isn't concealing its concern over the future of its ties with the new US administration, as President Donald Trump has made inconsistent statements about his position on Israel. The PA has set up a committee to confront a worst-case scenario that might unfold under Trump.

Even before Trump was sworn in Jan. 20, he talked about relocating the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and at one point spoke out against UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which condemns Israeli settlements. He has since modified the settlement position more than once, at first warning Israel to stop announcing new settlements, and then softening that message somewhat to say he doesn't believe existing settlements will impede the peace process.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Jan. 25 that Trump would be reconsidering President Barack Obama’s decision to release $221 million to the PA in aid, as Trump wants to make sure US funds spent abroad serve US interests.

Palestinian Minister of Finance Shukri Beshara said Jan. 26 that the US Congress has proposed several laws criminalizing the PA's financial support for families of prisoners and families of Palestinians who have been killed in fighting. If adopted, such laws would limit the PA’s ability to manage Palestinian accounts in the United States and abroad.