Avast ye! The Biden crew be warned of troubles ahead if they dare revive aid to them Palestinians! Arrr!
2023-10-11
Avast ye! In the year o' our Lord, March 2021, the State Department sent forth a missive expressin' their concern. They be whisperin' in hushed tones that releasin' the coin for the Palestinian Authority might find its way into the pockets of scurvy terrorists.
The document stated that there was a high risk of Hamas indirectly benefiting from U.S. assistance to Gaza, and a lesser risk of other designated groups benefiting. The $360 million had been frozen under former President Donald Trump's administration due to the Palestinian Authority's support for terrorist organizations. The State Department argued that they needed broad authorities to work in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, as using the funds would otherwise violate regulations on terrorist sanctions.
It is unclear if the warning made it into the final draft request, and the State Department did not immediately respond to comment. Republican lawmakers, including Senator Ted Cruz, had voiced concerns about U.S. aid indirectly bolstering terrorist groups. However, the administration decided to move forward with restarting Palestinian aid. Republicans have also criticized the administration's decision to fund the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which has been accused of being anti-Israel and indirectly benefiting Hamas.