What Happened: Republican Senator Jim Risch continues to support the withholding of the $75m economic funding that the US Congress had already approved for Palestine assistant. Using procedures under a 2018 US law, he said that he would ensure the funds don’t go to the Palestinian Authority or Hamas. Congressman Jamie Raskin seeks to press Republican Senator Jim Risch to release the funds. Backstory: Amid a ceasefire and an uncertain future, the residents of Gaza face challenges. The bombarding killed 256 Palestinians, including 66 children. Israel destroyed hundreds of buildings, leading to the displacement of some 100,000 civilians.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken approved economic assistance of $50m to Palestine afterIsrael assaulted Gaza in May. Withholding these funds would delay the much-needed reconstruction of water resources and roads in the Gaza Strip. However, Republican Senator James Risch withheld the funding by using procedures under a 2018 US law. He blatantly stated that he wanted to ensure the funds would not go to the Palestinian Authority or Hamas. “I just don’t see any justification for withholding the release of funds, other than the continued dehumanisation, ridicule and collective punishment of the Palestinian people, particularly in Gaza,” said Ahmad Abuznaid, executive director of the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights. Furthermore, advocates for US aid to the Palestinians say that the blockage of the funds would eventually have to be lifted since Risch’s reservation on the funds is politically motivated. A large group of Democrats in the US House, led by Jewish Representative Jamie Raskin, has demanded Risch release the aid.
“Gaza is experiencing a humanitarian catastrophe. Buildings lie in rubble. Access to clean water and electricity is sporadic or nonexistent. Food insecurity is spreading. COVID-19 is running rampant and thousands of people have been displaced and rendered homeless. The magnitude of the crisis is staggering,” Representative Raskin stated in his letter urging Risch not to deter US assistance. The letter was signed by 145 Democrats. Click here for more from Propergaanda.