Trump redirects over $200 mln in U.S. aid for West Bank, GazaWASHINGTON - 25 August 2018: U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered the State Department to "redirect" more than $200 million in economic aid for projects in the West Bank and Gaza to programs elsewhere, a department official said on Friday. "We have undertaken a review of U.S. assistance to the Palestinian Authority and in the West Bank and Gaza to ensure these funds are spent in accordance with U.S. national interests and provide value to the U.S. taxpayer," said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity. "As a result of that review, 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. "I think it is long overdue that we have taken steps to reduce funding," Bolton said, adding that "much of UNRWA's expenses really go to perpetuating the refugee status of the Palestinian people."

Source: Egypt Today August 24, 2018 20:48 UTC