Washington Reproaches Tel Aviv, Blocks Palestinian Aid

Local Editor

The United States hindered the flow of financial aid to the Palestinians, as it only tells the "Israeli" entity off again over Tel Aviv's unrelenting settlement activities.

The US Congress is delaying a payment of $159 million in aid for the Palestinian Authority [PA] to pressure it into negotiations with "Israel", according to the Palestine Liberation Organization [PLO] envoy to Washington, Maen Erekat.

Palestinian media said Erekat confirmed earlier reports that the US Congress was blocking the payment under the pretext that the PA supports "terrorism."

He further noted that some "pro-"Israel"" Congress members continue to pressure the PA to engage in talks with the Zionist entity, and prevent Palestinians from joining international organizations and conventions.

Relatively, the US administration allocated $440 million in aid to Palestinians for 2015, including $131 million for economic and development projects and $70 million for PA agencies, while $80 million in aid was deducted following "Israeli" criticism of alleged Palestinian "incitement" last October.

Washington's obstruction of Palestinian aid comes as on Sunday US Vice President Joe Biden criticized the "Israeli" occupation regime's settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories, describing them as an issue that raises questions about Tel Aviv's commitment to peace.

According to Biden, Tel Aviv's systematic process of expanding settlements, legalizing outposts and seizing Palestinian land are eroding the prospects for peace.

Reports said some 500,000 "Israelis" have settled in the West Bank and East al-Quds, among 2.4 million Palestinians.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team