Trump Administration Nixes Funding for Palestinian Security Forces From 2021 Budget Plan
Move is likely another form of diplomatic punishment against the Palestinian Authority, this time over its rejection of the administration’s Mideast plan
WASHINGTON – The Trump administration excluded funding for the Palestinian Security Services in its budget request for the 2021 fiscal year, after 27 years of bipartisan support and Israeli backing.
However, the budget request does include $200 million for a “Diplomatic Progress Fund” that could be used to support the administration’s Mideast plan, unveiled two weeks ago. According to the State Department, some of that money could go toward an “agreement to resume security assistance in the West Bank.” But such an agreement would likely require the Palestinian Authority to accept the Trump plan.