Trump’s cut to funding for Palestinian refugees could lead to disaster

From time to time, the Palestine Center distributes articles it believes will enhance understanding of the Palestinian political reality. The following article by Mick Dumper was published in Gulf News on January 14, 2018.

Having survived Britain’s recent cabinet reshuffle the international development secretary, Penny Mordaunt , is confronted with the biggest headache of her short ministerial career: the fallout of the US intention to cut funding to United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which constitutes one of the most serious challenges to UK policies in the Middle East.

Donald Trump’s threat to cut financial assistance to the UN agency specifically responsible for Palestinian refugees will be a disaster not only for the refugees but also for Israel and neighboring countries. It does not advance US interests either. Provoked by the Palestinian rejection of Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the state of Israel, it takes the notion cutting off one’s nose to spite one’s face to a completely new diplomatic level. Although a final decision by the US is still pending, the loss of the regular subvention of $350 million for UNRWA would be catastrophic for the region, with immense military and strategic implications for the US and its allies, including the UK.

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The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The Jerusalem Fund.

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