The Trump administration is reviewing the release of millions of dollars for Palestinian projects made by the Obama administration in a last-minute transfer that flouted congressional objections, according to statements provided to THE WEEKLY STANDARD.
Former Secretary of State John Kerry cemented the $221 million transfer in the administration’s final hours and informed Congress of it early Friday, triggering anger on Capitol Hill and a statement from the Trump administration that they would be examining all expenditures.
Details of the transfer remain hazy, sources told TWS, including the intended use, final destination, and whether it has been completed. The State Department told TWS the money was supposed to go through the U.S. Agency for International Development and be used for Gaza recovery programs, and that the transfer is in review.
“The Department of State is currently reviewing last minute spending approved by the previous administration and will make adjustments if needed to ensure that it aligns with the priorities of the Trump-Pence administration,” Acting State Department spokesman Mark Toner said in a statement.
Other reports suggest that the administration told Congress the funds would go to both the West Bank and Gaza, and that some money would be allocated for good governance projects, among other reforms.
Much of the anger on Capitol Hill is being directed specifically at Kerry, according to a senior official at a pro-Israel organization who works with Congress on Middle East appropriations issues.
“Kerry bears personal responsibility for making it impossible for Congress to continue working with the Palestinians in any productive capacity,” the source said. “Offices on both sides of the aisle are openly talking about freezing almost all aid to the Palestinians, and they’re saying that he forced their hand.”
Republican senators condemned the move to TWS early this week and vowed to counter it.
“I don’t know if we can recoup that money, but I intend to suspend future funding to the Palestinian Authority until they change their laws that reward young Palestinians for killing Israelis and Americans,” South Carolina senator Lindsey Graham said.
Graham will reintroduce the Taylor Force Act, which proposes cutting funding until the Palestinian Authority stops directly or indirectly financing terrorism.
Florida senator Marco Rubio characterized the release as a parting shot against Congress.
“It’s kind-of the closing act of eight years of lawlessness, in many cases, where you just basically ignore the congressional will and the law and do whatever you want,” he said. “Hopefully we can get that reversed, and I’m confident with this new administration we won’t see anything like that happen again.”
Members in the House of Representatives expressed similar dismay. Texas congresswoman Kay Granger, one of the lawmakers who had a hold placed on the funds, said in a statement the Obama administration’s release would bolster programs Congress had not yet decided to fund.
“[These funds] will go to programs in the Palestinian territories that were still under review by Congress. The Obama Administration’s decision to release these funds was inappropriate.”
