Obama Works With Congress to Ensure Continued U.S. Support for Palestinians

By Mina Fabulous    

Recognizing its assistance to the Palestinian people as an essential part of the U.S. commitment to a negotiated two-state solution for Palestinians and Israelis, the US State Department today said the Obama administration is working with the Congress to ensure continued U.S. support for the Palestinians, including $200 million in direct budget support this fiscal year (2012).

According to the US State Department, the United States provided $200 million in direct budget support to the Palestinian Authority in fiscal year 2011.

"Our view remains that our assistance to the Palestinian people is an essential part of the U.S. commitment to a negotiated two-state solution for Palestinians and Israelis, promoting a comprehensive peace in the Middle East." -US State Department

Children in Gaza colour together during the fourth annual 2010 Summer Games, a 10-week programme for children organized by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Photo: UN Photo/Shareef Sarhan

The US State Department asserts that the assistance is in the interest not only of the Palestinians, but of Israel and the U.S. as well, to ensure these efforts continue as they help to build a more democratic, stable and secure region.

Earlier this year, the United States announced an initial 2012 contribution of $55 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

The $55 million contribution will provide critical health, education, and humanitarian services to five million Palestinian refugees in the region. Of this contribution, $29 million will support UNRWA's core services in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, the West Bank, and Gaza; $24 million will support UNRWA's emergency programs in the West Bank and Gaza; and two million will support UNRWA's ongoing relief assistance in Lebanon for those displaced during the 2007 conflict in Nahr al Bared refugee camp.

As UNRWA's largest bilateral donor, the United States recognizes the critical role the Agency plays in assisting Palestinian refugees and maintaining regional stability and calls upon other donors to enhance their support for UNRWA. The United States encourages UNRWA to maintain the neutrality of its operations, expand its donor base, enhance its strategic communications, and maximize programmatic efficiencies in order to better serve refugees.

In 2011, the United States provided just under $250 million to UNRWA, including $146 million to its General Fund, $75 million to its West Bank/Gaza emergency programs, $15 million to emergency programs in Lebanon, and $10 million for the construction of five new schools in Gaza, which will serve an estimated 10,000 schoolchildren.

There is ongoing Evidence of Palestinian Incitement of Hatred Against Israel, as a PA Periodical Demonizes State of Israel and their official television Uses Music and Culture to Glorify Violence. It is therefore, not surprising that 'Honor Killings' are on The Rise in Palestine.

Mina Fabulous follows the news, especially what is going on in the US State Department. Mina turns State Department waffle into plain english. Read more stories by Mina Fabulous. Contact Mina through NewsBlaze.