U.S. Rebuked by Israel for Continuing Palestinian Aid

By Terry Atlas Jun 3, 2014 12:00 AM ET

The U.S. said it will maintain financial aid to the Palestinian Authority even under a new government backed by the Islamic Hamas movement, earning a rebuke from Israel.

Secretary of State John Kerry called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday to discuss continuing U.S. support for the Palestinian Authority, according to State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki.

The Israeli government later issued a statement saying it is “deeply disappointed” by U.S. comments about working with the new government, formed after an agreement between Hamas, regarded by the U.S. and Israel as a terrorist group, and the rival Palestine Liberation Organization. American aid for the Palestinians is budgeted at $440 million this year.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas oversaw the swearing-in of 17 ministers yesterday in a ceremony in his West Bank headquarters in Ramallah. Abbas has said the new technocratic government, which doesn’t include any official Hamas members, will support conditions laid down by international mediators, which include honoring past agreements with Israel, renouncing violence and recognizing Israel.

more...

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-06-02/u-s-rebuked-by-israel-for-continuing-palestinian-aid.html

Note to forum Hosts: I/P issues are usually allowed in GD when it concerns US policy. Please take that into consideration before locking and sending to the I/P dungeon.