AMMAN/CAIRO, Thursday, April 08, 2021 (WAFA) – Arab countries today welcomed the resumption of American financial aid to the Palestinians announced yesterday by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken as well as remarks in support of the two-state solution.
Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said the US aid, particularly the $150 million provided to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which has been facing serious financial issues, will help the agency continue to provide vital services such as education, health and welfare to more than five million Palestinian refugees in its five operating areas, which include Jordan, in addition to Lebanon, Syria, and the Palestinian territories.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry also welcomed the US step with its spokesman Ahmad Hafiz saying in a statement that the resumption of aid would help lift the suffering of the Palestinians, provides material support in light of unprecedented economic and humanitarian challenges, and allows UNRWA to provide the necessary services to the Palestinian people.
Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit also welcomed statements by US President Joe Biden regarding commitment to the two-state solution as a base for ending the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
He said in a statement that the recent economic and political restrictions on the Palestinians by the former US administration under Donald Trump were a big mistake because they alienated the key partner in the peace process. The US Administration is now correcting this mistake, he said.
Aboul Gheit also considered the resumption of financial aid as a positive step that shows good intentions by the new US administration.
It is important to work quickly in the coming period to launch a serious peace process, with clear terms of reference and a specific timeline in order to resolve the Palestinian issue fairly, comprehensively and definitively, said the Arab League chief.
The President of the Arab Parliament, Adel al-Assoumi, also welcomed the US administration’s decision to resume economic, development and humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people, and to resume funding for UNRWA.
Al-Assoumi expressed in a statement today his optimism regarding this step, as it reflects a change in the position of the new US administration from its predecessor, which took many arbitrary decisions and measures against the Palestinian people.
M.K.
