Washington (CNN) Following a review of US assistance to the Palestinian Authority, President Donald Trump has directed the State Department to withdraw $200 million in aid that was originally planned for programs in the West Bank and Gaza, a senior State Department official said on Friday. "At the direction of the President, we will redirect more than $200 million in FY2017 Economic Support Funds originally planned for programs in the West Bank and Gaza. Those funds will now address high-priority projects elsewhere," according to the official. The US gives support to help the Palestinian Authority provide law enforcement and maintain the rule of law -- including funds for "programs implemented by the Middle East Partnership Initiative as well as educational and cultural programing through the US Consulate General in Jerusalem," according to the consulate's website"While funding levels change from year to year, the US Government will remain active in each of these fields," the website says. The decision announced Friday comes after Trump ordered a review of "US assistance to the Palestinian Authority and in the West Bank and Gaza to ensure these funds are spent in accordance with US national interests and provide value to the US taxpayer," the senior State Department official said.

Source: CNN August 24, 2018 22:41 UTC