RAMALLAH, August 26, 2018 (WAFA) – News about the US decision to cancel $200 million in aid to the Palestinians in the occupied territories hit the front pages of the three Arabic Palestinian dailies on Sunday.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida, al-Ayyam and al-Quds reported a US State Department official as saying that at directions of President Donald Trump, funds allocated to Palestinian projects in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, which amounts to over $200 million, will be directed to elsewhere in the world.

They also reported that the Palestinians, including members from Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and from the National Council, strongly condemned and criticized the US decision, saying it is a political blackmail.

Al-Quds said that the Israeli authority has approved the construction of more than 1000 housing units in illegal settlements across the occupied West Bank, amidst strong Palestinian and European reactions.

The three dailies said that The Islamic Waqf department warned of the consequences that may occur if Israeli allows Jewish settlers to perform prayers in al-Aqsa mosque, saying that al-Aqsa is a property for Muslims.

Al-Ayyam said that Israeli Jewish settlers attacked cars of Palestinians traveling on roads in the north of the West Bank causing damage but no injuries, after they had previously attacked and almost lynched two youths south of Nablus.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida and al-Quds said that the Palestine Football Association (PFA) Saturday condemned the decision by the world football association, FIFA, to ban its head, Jibril Rajoub, from attending FIFA games for one year for allegedly inciting to hatred and violence against Argentinean player Lionel Messi.

K.T/M.N