Washington 26 Jan (ANA) - The Trump administration has reportedly frozen a multimillion dollar aid package granted to the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the final hours of Barack Obama’s presidency.  Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah was told by US officials not to expect the $ 221 million payout earlier this week, the Times of Israel reported, citing a senior PA source. Mr Obama had overruled Congress to make the decision, with the money intended to support good governance and humanitarian aid. But the State Department is now thought to be reviewing the payment and may make changes so it aligns with the priorities of the Trump administration. 

Congress had approved previous donations to the PA – it received $ 250 million in aid from the US in 2016 to support humanitarian costs, hospitals and buying fuel from Israel, according to the source. But Republican politicians placed a hold on the most recent payment, which Mr Obama then forced through, ignoring the norm of respecting congressional decisions. The House was informed by former Secretary of State John Kerry hours before Mr Trump’s inauguration. Mr Trump has consistently expressed his support for Israel and the government of Benjamin Netanyahu. In particular, Mr Trump has repeatedly suggested moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to the contested city of Jerusalem – a decision likely to cause significant anger among Palestinians and Arabs more generally. However, recent reports have indicated this controversial move – for which there is little appetite for in Israel – may be quietly slipping down the agenda.(ANA)

FA/ANA/26 January 2017-----