The Trump administration announced Friday that it is permanently slashing funds to the United Nations refugee agency, in a move that security officials worry could spark Palestinian unrest but that the administration says is part of a wider U.S. strategy.
Earlier this year, the Trump administration froze most of its support to the UN Relief and Works Agency, the agency that aids Palestinian refugees, providing $60 million and holding back more than $300 million. Friday’s announcement stands to make the reduction permanent.
The administration wants to pressure Palestinians into talks with the Trump administration and signal U.S. displeasure with the way the organization runs.
The Palestinians, angered over Trump administration support for Israel, are refusing to engage in talks with the U.S.
The U.S. in a separate move last week eliminated $200 million in bilateral funding to Palestinians, and is considering additional steps to pressure Palestinian leaders, including by slashing the number of Palestinians registered as refugees with UNRWA. That move would have implications for what Palestinians assert is a “right of return” to Israel.
An expanded version of this report appears at WSJ.com.
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