Washington announced on Wednesday the resumption of funding to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), reversing a three-year halt under former president Donald Trump.
Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said the administration, working with Congress, plans to "restart US economic, development, and humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people. This includes $75 million in economic and development assistance in the West Bank and Gaza, $10m for peacebuilding programmes through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), and $150m in humanitarian assistance for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)."
The State Department made the announcement reinstating a long-held policy that was abandoned by the previous administration.
Over the years, the US had become the largest single donor to UNRWA, giving $364m to the organisation in 2017, amounting to 30 per cent of its total funding.
The organisation oversees support for 5.5 million people across the Middle East, including schools and humanitarian facilities for Palestinian refugees in Gaza, Lebanon and Jordan.
The restoration of funding is part of a series of decisions the administration of US President Joe Biden is undertaking to repair ties with the Palestinians.
Part of the funding will go to support the East Jerusalem Hospital Network, whose aid had been suspended under Mr Trump.
Mr Blinken stressed that the resumption of the assistance "serves important US interests and values. It provides critical relief to those in great need, fosters economic development and supports Israeli-Palestinian understanding, security co-ordination and stability. It also aligns with the values and interests of our allies and partners."
He reiterated the US commitment to advance towards a negotiated two-state solution.
State Department spokesman Ned Price said that “it is fair to say we have been gratified by the reaction we had from members of Congress … who recognise that the aid we offer today is consistent with our interests."
“All of this aid is absolutely consistent with US law and statute,” he added.
Mr Price stressed that the development partners have an aggressive mechanism ensuring the aid will reach those who are in need and which can identify end users who will receive the assistance.
"We take UNRWA oversight seriously…I am not going to characterise what the previous administration has done.”
Mr Price added that with the resumption of aid, the US now has “a seat at the table” in engaging with UNRWA on issues of reform and accountability.
Asked by The National if regional consultations preceded this decision, Mr Price said the administration undertook "extensive consultations", including with people in region, and said that the administration hopes "to see other countries step up to the plate" in increasing their funding.
In a memo obtained exclusively by The National last month, the deputy assistant secretary of state for Israeli-Palestinian affairs, Hady Amr, outlined such steps.
“We are planning a full range of economic, security and humanitarian assistance programmes, including through [UNRWA]. Prior to the fuller launch, we plan to announce $15m in Covid-related humanitarian assistance,” the memo said.
The Covid assistance was announced by the US mission to the UN this month.
This would be a very needed significant amount of money to address the challenges that
UNRWA is facing
Riyad Mansour, Palestinian envoy
to the United Nations
Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian envoy to the UN, praised the US decision.
“This would be a very needed significant amount of money to address the challenges that UNRWA is facing and perhaps it is a good omen that we are meeting today,” Mr Mansour said during online UN talks focused on Palestinian issues.
“UNRWA is an extremely important agency that deals with the needs of the Palestinian refugees in all areas of its operation in the occupied territory and outside,” said Mr Mansour.
Ghaith Al Omari, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said the resumption of aid to UNRWA is not surprising and is consistent with traditional US policy.
"The decision is in keeping with the Biden administration's approach of a gradual return to US policy that existed under multiple Democratic and Republican administrations prior to Donald Trump," Mr Al Omari told The National.
The expert and former negotiator with the Palestinian team gave it increased significance due to developments in Jordan, where a lot of this funding goes.
“Beside its symbolic importance, it will have a concrete impact on the humanitarian situation in the West Bank and Gaza, given UNRWA's extensive network of educational, health and other facilities … but it also comes at a crucial time for Jordan, which has spearheaded international efforts to fund UNRWA since the US cut off its funding,” he said.
“Recent events in Jordan have highlighted the importance of the kingdom’s stability and refunding UNRWA will contribute to supporting this crucial US ally,” Mr Al Omari added.
The Biden administration has also resumed diplomatic contact with the Palestinian Authority, which had been on hold since 2018.
“[The resumption of aid] means re-engagement with a strong partner who has accompanied the agency since its creation, and for decades, and the partnership has also gone beyond just a financial supporter to the agency," Philippe Lazzarini, the agency's commissioner general, said on Wednesday.
Ramallah welcomed the announcement of the aid, with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh calling on the Biden administration to work with the Quartet towards the establishment of a Palestinian state.
He added that he hoped it would “open a new political horizon that leads to a Palestinian independent state.”
“We aspire not just to restore US financial assistance, which nevertheless is significant, but also to resume political ties with the United States that would fulfill our people's legitimate rights in establishing an independent state with Jerusalem as capital, reopening the US consulate in occupied Jerusalem and for the US to pressure Israel on the issue of settlement expansion in the occupied territories, especially the ethnic cleansing in occupied Jerusalem,” he said.
“Israel is strongly opposed to the anti-Israel and anti-Semitic activity happening in UNRWA's facilities. We believe that this UN agency for so-called refugees," Israel's ambassador to the US and the UN, Gilad Erdan, said after the decision was announced.
"UNRWA is an organisation that engages in political advocacy and enables incitement to violence, therefore it should not exist in its current form," the ambassador said.
"Israel maintains an intensive dialogue with the United States on numerous issues. In this context, the US raised the renewal of American aid to the Palestinians and we discussed its impact on the common interests of Israel and the US. Regarding UNRWA, Israel's position is that the organisation in its current form perpetuates the conflict and does not contribute to its resolution," the Israeli Foreign Ministry said.
"The renewal of aid to UNRWA should be accompanied by substantial and necessary changes in the nature, goals and conduct of the organisation,”
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Biography
Her family: She has four sons, aged 29, 27, 25 and 24 and is a grandmother-of-nine
Favourite book: Flashes of Thought by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid
Favourite drink: Water
Her hobbies: Reading and volunteer work
Favourite music: Classical music
Her motto: I don't wait, I initiate
Results
2.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,700m; Winner: AF Mezmar, Adam McLean (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer).
3pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 2,000m; Winner: AF Ajwad, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.
3.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,200m; Winner: Gold Silver, Sam Hitchcott, Ibrahim Aseel.
4pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 1,000m; Winner: Atrash, Richard Mullen, Ana Mendez.
4.30pm: Gulf Cup Prestige (PA) Dh150,000 1,700m; Winner: AF Momtaz, Saif Al Balushi, Musabah Al Muhairi.
5pm: Handicap (TB) Dh40,000 1,200m; Winner: Al Mushtashar, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
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%3Cp%3EEncourage%20innovation%20in%20the%20metaverse%20field%20and%20boost%20economic%20contribution%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20outstanding%20talents%20through%20education%20and%20training%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20applications%20and%20the%20way%20they%20are%20used%20in%20Dubai's%20government%20institutions%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAdopt%2C%20expand%20and%20promote%20secure%20platforms%20globally%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20the%20infrastructure%20and%20regulations%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Traces%20of%20Enayat
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Iman%20Mersal%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20And%20Other%20Stories%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPages%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20240%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company: Instabug
Founded: 2013
Based: Egypt, Cairo
Sector: IT
Employees: 100
Stage: Series A
Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Fixture and table
UAE finals day: Friday, April 13 at Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
- 3pm, UAE Conference: Dubai Tigers v Sharjah Wanderers
- 6.30pm, UAE Premiership: Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Premiership – final standings
- Dubai Exiles
- Abu Dhabi Harlequins
- Jebel Ali Dragons
- Dubai Hurricanes
- Dubai Sports City Eagles
- Abu Dhabi Saracens
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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MATCH INFO
Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)
Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm
Two products to make at home
Toilet cleaner
1 cup baking soda
1 cup castile soap
10-20 drops of lemon essential oil (or another oil of your choice)
Method:
1. Mix the baking soda and castile soap until you get a nice consistency.
2. Add the essential oil to the mix.
Air Freshener
100ml water
5 drops of the essential oil of your choice (note: lavender is a nice one for this)
Method:
1. Add water and oil to spray bottle to store.
2. Shake well before use.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What is dialysis?
Dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood when your kidneys fail and can no longer do the job.
It gets rid of your body's wastes, extra salt and water, and helps to control your blood pressure. The main cause of kidney failure is diabetes and hypertension.
There are two kinds of dialysis — haemodialysis and peritoneal.
In haemodialysis, blood is pumped out of your body to an artificial kidney machine that filter your blood and returns it to your body by tubes.
In peritoneal dialysis, the inside lining of your own belly acts as a natural filter. Wastes are taken out by means of a cleansing fluid which is washed in and out of your belly in cycles.
It isn’t an option for everyone but if eligible, can be done at home by the patient or caregiver. This, as opposed to home haemodialysis, is covered by insurance in the UAE.
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Five personal finance podcasts from The National
To help you get started, tune into these Pocketful of Dirham episodes
·
Balance is essential to happiness, health and wealth
·
What is a portfolio stress test?
·
What are NFTs and why are auction houses interested?
·
How gamers are getting rich by earning cryptocurrencies
·
Should you buy or rent a home in the UAE?
The language of diplomacy in 1853
Treaty of Peace in Perpetuity Agreed Upon by the Chiefs of the Arabian Coast on Behalf of Themselves, Their Heirs and Successors Under the Mediation of the Resident of the Persian Gulf, 1853
(This treaty gave the region the name “Trucial States”.)
We, whose seals are hereunto affixed, Sheikh Sultan bin Suggar, Chief of Rassool-Kheimah, Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon, Chief of Aboo Dhebbee, Sheikh Saeed bin Buyte, Chief of Debay, Sheikh Hamid bin Rashed, Chief of Ejman, Sheikh Abdoola bin Rashed, Chief of Umm-ool-Keiweyn, having experienced for a series of years the benefits and advantages resulting from a maritime truce contracted amongst ourselves under the mediation of the Resident in the Persian Gulf and renewed from time to time up to the present period, and being fully impressed, therefore, with a sense of evil consequence formerly arising, from the prosecution of our feuds at sea, whereby our subjects and dependants were prevented from carrying on the pearl fishery in security, and were exposed to interruption and molestation when passing on their lawful occasions, accordingly, we, as aforesaid have determined, for ourselves, our heirs and successors, to conclude together a lasting and inviolable peace from this time forth in perpetuity.
Taken from Britain and Saudi Arabia, 1925-1939: the Imperial Oasis, by Clive Leatherdale
Profile of RentSher
Started: October 2015 in India, November 2016 in UAE
Founders: Harsh Dhand; Vaibhav and Purvashi Doshi
Based: Bangalore, India and Dubai, UAE
Sector: Online rental marketplace
Size: 40 employees
Investment: $2 million
Read more about the coronavirus
What went into the film
25 visual effects (VFX) studios
2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots
1,000 VFX artists
3,000 technicians
10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers
New sound technology, named 4D SRL
Jordan cabinet changes
In
- Raed Mozafar Abu Al Saoud, Minister of Water and Irrigation
- Dr Bassam Samir Al Talhouni, Minister of Justice
- Majd Mohamed Shoueikeh, State Minister of Development of Foundation Performance
- Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
- Falah Abdalla Al Ammoush, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Basma Moussa Ishakat, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Ghazi Monawar Al Zein, Minister of Health
- Ibrahim Sobhi Alshahahede, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Environment
- Dr Mohamed Suleiman Aburamman, Minister of Culture and Minister of Youth
Out
- Dr Adel Issa Al Tawissi, Minister of High Education and Scientific Research
- Hala Noaman “Basiso Lattouf”, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Mahmud Yassin Al Sheyab, Minister of Health
- Yahya Moussa Kasbi, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Nayef Hamidi Al Fayez, Minister of Environment
- Majd Mohamed Shoueika, Minister of Public Sector Development
- Khalid Moussa Al Huneifat, Minister of Agriculture
- Dr Awad Abu Jarad Al Mushakiba, Minister of Justice
- Mounir Moussa Ouwais, Minister of Water and Agriculture
- Dr Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education
- Mokarram Mustafa Al Kaysi, Minister of Youth
- Basma Mohamed Al Nousour, Minister of Culture
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
