The United States Congress has blocked nearly $200m in aid for the Palestinians, threatening projects such as food aid, health care, and support for efforts to build a functioning state.
The decision to delay the payments runs counter to the wishes of the Obama administration and reflects Congressional anger at Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's so far unrealised pursuit of Fatah-Hamas reconciliation and statehood recognition at the UN.
The freezing of the funds, which were to have been dispersed in the US fiscal year that ends today, is the most tangible sign yet of the seriousness of Congressional leaders' threats of an even wider halt to funding in the coming year if Mr Abbas continues with his actions at the UN. It was strongly condemned yesterday by the Palestinian Authority.
There have been persistent demands in Congress to withhold up to $600m – the average amount given by the US in bilateral assistance to the West Bank and Gaza every year since 2008 – in the next financial year over the issue.
Germany summoned the Russian ambassador on Friday, accusing Moscow of orchestrating a cyberattack on the nation’s...
Torrential rain swept across the Gaza Strip on Thursday, flooding hundreds of tents sheltering families displaced...
Denmark's intelligence service for the first time has described the United States as a potential threat...
President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday hinted at a referendum for Ukrainians to decide whether to cede...
