WASHINGTON, December 6, 2017 (WAFA) – Demanding from the Palestinian Authority (PA) to stop financial stipends to families of Palestinian prisoners and those killed in action, the US House of Representatives voted on Tuesday to reduce annual US aid to the PA.

Reports from Washington said the House voted unanimously to reduce the $300 million annual aid unless the PA stops making payments to families of prisoners and those killed by Israeli forces.

Israel has been pushing the US Congress to take action against the Palestinian Authority as its own lawmakers are taking action to cut the amount of the stipends from the taxes and customs Israel collects monthly on behalf of the PA on imports destined to the Palestinian areas arriving through Israeli ports.

PA officials have so far rejected pressure to stop the payments saying this money is intended to help families survive in the absence of the family’s breadwinners.

Palestinians in general view the prisoners and those killed as freedom fighters and hold them in high esteem. Almost every Palestinian household has lost a member in the resistance or had a member in prison since the Israeli occupation 50 years ago. Currently there are over 6000 Palestinians in Israeli jails held for resisting the occupation.

The US Senate is also expected to pass the law. However, it would not take effect until US President Donald Trump signs it.

The US has recently taken punitive steps against the Palestinians, including shutting down their delegation office in Washington as Trump has declared his intention to recognize Jerusalem as capital of Israel.

M.N./M.K.