Threatened to cut humanitarian aid if they did not continue the peace talks

The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has been controversial since his arrival at the White House because of the decisions and affirmations he has launched on several international issues, including the Arab-Israeli conflict. Trump has been in charge of altering the statu quo in the Middle East, which has historically remained in constant conflict. An example of this was the announcement made on December 6th, 2017, where Trump stated that he would declare Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. 

Tension with Palestine. What is going to happen next? 

This has meant entering IGNORE INTO a hostile environment because the Palestinian Authority broke contact with Washington, along with several member countries of the United Nations. In response, the US president threatened to cut humanitarian aid to Palestine if they did not continue the peace talks. This announcement was made effective on January 17th, 2018 when President Trump reported that he would cut more than half the donations to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) because they will only provide US $ 60 million dollars from US $ 125.

Worldwide Implications

UNRWA is the entity in charge of the welfare of Palestinian refugees and, without a doubt, the decision of the United States affects the Palestine refugees; the United States' economic input represents approximately 30% of the budget of this entity.

-Donald Trump's message seems to be an alert to generate changes in the structure and management of the Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East-

Even in 2016, the European Union ,as the second actor with the highest donations, contributed half of what the United States brought to the table. In fact, one of President Trump's arguments is that the care of other nations and other peoples can not be the sole responsibility of the United States.

-Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, affirmed that he agrees with the disappearance of UNRWA-

This message is undoubtedly an alert to generate changes in the structure and management of the Agency. However, more radical reactions were presented, such as that of the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, who affirmed that he agrees with the disappearance of UNRWA, considering that it is not efficient because it has generated concessions and recognitions as refugees to many Palestinians do not qualify. 

-The Palestinian population can turn to the help that Hamas can provide-

However, it is important to point out that the absence of UNRWA operations may result in a humanitarian crisis, because the provision of services to Palestinians who require it will be significantly halted. On the other hand, with the radical cut , the Palestinian population can turn to the help that Hamas can provide.

Latin American Post | Tatiana Restrepo

Copy edited by Susana Cicchetto