US Lawmakers May Cut Aid to Palestinians

JERUSALEM, Israel -- U.S. congressmen may try to withhold aid to the Palestinian Authority over its 15 applications to U.N.-affiliated international bodies.

Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, who chairs the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs, told Al-Monitor U.S. aid is meant to support the peace negotiations, which doesn't jibe with the P.A.'s unilateral statehood moves.

"What a lot of it was, we're going to try to help as you try to negotiate at the peace table in good faith," Granger told U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Samantha Power at a congressional hearing Wednesday. "Well I can't see that that was good faith."

Rep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., expressed similar sentiments.

"There was a decision made last year that investing in the P.A. and economic development would be the most productive step we could take to encourage peace," she told Al-Monitor, saying that may no longer be appropriate.

Part of the contingencies include a commitment by the Palestinian Authority to address anti-Israel incitement and agree not to join additional U.N. agencies or petition the international criminal court at The Hague against alleged Israeli infringements of human rights in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank).