More U.S. Aid To The Palestinians

Photo: Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas. Source: globalpublicsquare

Administration Moves $500M In Palestinian Aid, As Agencies Scramble To Delay Furloughs -- FOX News

As federal agencies scramble to avert or delay sequester-tied furloughs, the Obama administration continues to spend millions of dollars on foreign aid to the Palestinians – and seek millions more, despite past efforts by Congress to freeze the money.

The State Department confirmed this month the administration has moved forward with $500 million in aid, and is trying to secure another $200 million from Congress. Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland says the aid is important, because an “economically viable Palestinian Authority” would help regional peace and security.

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My Comment: How is providing aid to the Palestinians .... many of whom cheered when 9/11 happened .... a national security issue? It may make some U.S. politicians feel good "playing Santa Claus" helping the Palestinians .... but sorry .... providing hundreds of millions of dollars (that is mostly borrowed money) to what is essentially a corrupt and hostile regime does not serve U.S. national security interests.

Despite U.S. Pressure, Palestinians Still Seek A U.N. Vote On Statehood

Palestine: we want UN vote for statehood. © REUTERS/ Ammar Awad

U.S. Appeals To Palestinians To Stall U.N. Vote On Statehood -- New York Times

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration has initiated a last-ditch diplomatic campaign to avert a confrontation this month over a plan by Palestinians to seek recognition as a state at the United Nations, but it may already be too late, according to senior American officials and foreign diplomats.



The administration has circulated a proposal for renewed peace talks with the Israelis in the hopes of persuading the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, to abandon the bid for recognition at the annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly beginning Sept. 20.



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More News On Palestinians Attempts For A UN Vote On Statehood



U.S. tries to stall Palestinian statehood bid: report -- Reuters

Palestinian effort to win nation status at UN instead of in negotiations with Israel is a mistake -- New York Daily News

Palestine: we want UN vote for statehood -- RIA Novosti

Abbas to address Palestinian people over UN bid -- Xinhuanet



My Comment: If there is a UN vote, the Palestinians will probably succeed in getting a positive result. But .... this will result in the loss of US aid, political support .... and .... heightened tensions (and violence) with Israel.

Will U.S. Aid To Palestinians Be Cut Over Statehood Bid?

US consul-general Daniel Rubinstein speaks at the US Consulate in Jerusalem's

annual Independence Day reception [MaanImages/George Hale, File]

Palestinian: US Warns Of Aid Cut For Statehood Bid -- Miami Herald/AP

JERUSALEM -- The Palestinians' chief negotiator said Friday that a U.S. diplomat had warned of a cut in aid to the Palestinians if they proceed with a unilateral bid for statehood at the U.N in September.



The U.S. said that negotiator Saeb Erekat had mischaracterized the words of the U.S. consul-general in Jerusalem, but declined to comment further.



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Update #1: US threatens aid cut over Palestinian bid for state -- The Independent

Update #2: U.S.: We will stop aid to Palestinians if UN bid proceeds -- Haaretz



My Comment: The U.S. Consulate is now making it clear that the envoy was not threatening U.S. aid to Palestinians.

Why Is The U.S. Paying The Salaries Of Convicted Terrorists?

Photo by: Ronen Zvulun/Reuters

US Paying Salaries For Jailed Palestinian Terrorists -- Jerusalem Post

Media watchdog tells congressmen PA spends over $5 million a month from US-provided budget in salaries to terrorists in Israeli prisons.

The Palestinian Authority spends more than $5 million a month paying salaries to terrorists sitting in Israeli prisons, according to a Palestinian Media Watch report presented to congressmen in Washington on Tuesday.

According to the report, written by Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberdik, such payments contravene US law, which prohibits funding of any person who “engages in, or has engaged in terrorist activity.

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My Comment: Even if such a law is passed by Congress, President Obama will veto it.