Obama lifts Palestinian aid barrier

US president signs waiver releasing $192 aid package frozen by Congress. Obama says aiding Palestinian Authority is 'important for security interests of United States'

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4221533,00.html

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"President Barack Obama has signed a waiver declaring that aid to the Palestinian Authority is "important to the security interests of the United States," removing a block on such funding.

In a memo sent to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, published by the White House, the president said it was appropriate to release funds to the authority, which administers the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

A provision of The Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations Act of 2012 said none of the funds "may be obligated or expended with respect to providing funds to the Palestinian Authority."

A $192 million package was frozen by Congress after the Palestinians moved to gain statehood at the United Nations in September last year."