Palestinian aid critics wary of Trump cuts
The Donald Trump administration’s sweeping cuts are sparking concern even among Israel advocates.
After slashing economic and humanitarian aid to Palestine, the Donald Trump administration is now reportedly considering narrowing the definition of who qualifies as a Palestinian refugee. The US hard line is sparking worries of a backlash even among some of Israel’s staunchest supporters.
Foreign Policy reported today that Trump has decided to end $350 million in annual funding to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, or UNRWA. The report comes after the State Department anonymously announced Friday that the United States “will redirect more than $200 million” in economic aid away from the West Bank and Hamas-controlled Gaza following a monthslong review of Palestinian aid.
Now even pro-Israel champions in the United States and the Israeli defense establishment are raising concerns.
“UNRWA needs to be reformed,” Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., who serves on the Senate foreign aid panel, told Al-Monitor. “Cutting off aid is also not the solution. There’s something in between that.”
