But, When Israel Keeps Building Illegal Settlements U.S. Still Sends Billions To Israel

DOUBLE STANDARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Peace Bust Imperils $2.2 Billion for Aid-Needy Palestinians

By Jonathan Ferziger

If Palestinian President Abbas does conclude his agreement to govern with Hamas, under U.S. law, there’s a risk that the annual $440 million that American taxpayers contribute to Palestinian society will be yanked automatically. Close

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Photographer: Abbas Momani/AFP via Getty Images

If Palestinian President Abbas does conclude his agreement to govern with Hamas, under U.S. law, there’s a risk that the annual $440 million that American taxpayers contribute to Palestinian society will be yanked automatically.

Bucking U.S. warnings to keep his distance from Hamas won’t come cheap for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Already hobbled by anemic tax collection and depressed economic growth, the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority stands to lose more than $2 billion a year, or half its budget, following the collapse of peace talks with Israel. Western powers have threatened to withhold aid after Abbas, challenged to give Palestinians hope by laying out an alternative vision of achieving statehood, announced a reconciliation pact with the Gaza Strip’s militant Hamas rulers.