Trump: Palestinians must return to talks to receive aid
DAVOS, Switzerland — U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Thursday to withhold aid money from the Palestinians until they return to peace talks with Israel as he sat down with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the sidelines of an economic summit in Switzerland.
Trump’s decision last year to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital roiled Arab nations and led the Palestinians to refuse to meet with Vice-President Mike Pence during his visit to the Mideast this week. They also declared a new U.S.-led peace push dead, saying Washington can no longer be trusted as an honest broker.
Trump said that decision has consequences. The U.S., he said, gives “hundreds of millions of dollars in aid and support” to the Palestinians, and “that money is on the table and that money’s not going to them unless they sit down and negotiate peace.”
The Palestinian envoy to Washington, Husam Zomlot, accused the president of “backstabbing” the Palestinians. In a speech at the Washington-based Middle East Institute, Zomlot said Trump had reneged on his promise not to prejudge solutions to the conflict and chided the president for acting “triumphant” and “victorious.”
“We don’t understand, triumphant and victorious, what is it? For killing the only possible solution? For pushing us to the Armageddon?” Zomlot said.
Trump’s comments came shortly after he arrived at the World Economic Forum. His appearance is aimed at luring foreign investment to the U.S. and highlighting his “America first” economic agenda, despite being seemingly at odds with a gathering that celebrates global co-operation and free trade.
Washington has contributed more than $5 billion US in economic and security aid to the Palestinians since the mid-1990s, much of it devoted to development projects. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said all bilateral assistance to the Palestinians, including economic security aide, is at risk if the Palestinians don’t come to the negotiating table.
Last week, the Trump administration moved to withhold some — but not all — of a scheduled aid payment to the United Nations agency that assists Palestinian refugees. The Trump administration said it would provide $60 million, while keeping $65 million until the UN body undertakes a “fundamental re-examination.” Nauert said that action is unrelated.
Israel has been overjoyed by Trump’s pivot on Jerusalem, which Netanyahu hailed Thursday as an “historic decision that will be forever etched in the hearts of our people.”
During his visit to Israel this week, Pence told Israeli lawmakers that the U.S. was fast-tracking the embassy plans, aiming to move it from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem by the end of 2019. Trump said he anticipates having “a small version” of the embassy open next year.
In his remarks, Trump referenced Pence’s trip to the Middle East, which did not include a meeting with Palestinian leaders. Trump said, “they disrespected us a week ago by not allowing our great vicepresident to see them,” adding: “Respect has to be shown to the U.S. or we’re just not going any further.”
The president is set to address the forum today.