Abrar Hussain: The US government on Saturday said it was redirecting $25 million in aid for hospitals that mainly care for Palestinian patients.
According to the US State Department, the decision came after a review of assistance to the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and Gaza “to ensure these funds were being spent in accordance with US national interests and were providing value to the US taxpayer.”
“As a result of that review, at the direction of the president, we will be redirecting approximately $25 million originally planned for the East Jerusalem Hospital Network,” a State Department official said, adding that “those funds will go to high-priority projects elsewhere.”
According to the World Health Organization, the US funds have previously made it possible for many Palestinians to seek specialized treatment, such as cardiac surgery, neonatal intensive care or children’s dialysis, which are unavailable in the West Bank and Gaza.
The US State Department already announced a cut of more than $200 million in bilateral aid to the Palestinians in August following a funding review.
US hostility towards Palestinians has increased since Trump’s controversial decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in December — a move that caused outrage among Palestinians and Muslims worldwide.
-Source: DW