WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 30th August, 2018) The State Department denies media reports that the United States intends to cut all funding for the United Nations agency that provides aid to Palestinian refugees, Spokesperson Heather Nauert told reporters on Wednesday.
When asked whether she could confirm the reports, Nauert said, "No. That issue, the funding is still under review and we have no announcements to make at this time."
US media reported on Tuesday that President Donald Trump's administration has decided to terminate financial support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The US provides more than $350 million each year to UNRWA.
Nauert said the United States was still seeking a diplomatic solution to the conflict between Israel and Palestine and will continue to work toward a comprehensive peace plan.
In January, the US State Department announced that it had frozen $65 million out of the planned $125 million for the UNRWA this year. The decision came after Trump said that Palestinians lacked the willingness to hold peace talks with Israel and had no respect for the United States, despite the financial aid it provided.
