Why the US might cut Palestinian aid drastically
The Palestinian Authority worries that the new US administration will withhold aid, in part to pressure Palestinians to return to the negotiating table with the Israelis.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) isn't concealing its concern over the future of its ties with the new US administration, as President Donald Trump has made inconsistent statements about his position on Israel. The PA has set up a committee to confront a worst-case scenario that might unfold under Trump.
Even before Trump was sworn in Jan. 20, he talked about relocating the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and at one point spoke out against UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which condemns Israeli settlements. He has since modified the settlement position more than once, at first warning Israel to stop announcing new settlements, and then softening that message somewhat to say he doesn't believe existing settlements will impede the peace process.
