Biden administration 'quietly' increases aid to Palestinians

(Patria) - The US has begun to quietly increase aid to Palestinians, after former US President Donald Trump had cut off almost all support.

Since taking office with a promise to overturn many of Donald Trump's decisions on Israelis and Palestinians, President Joseph Biden's administration has allocated nearly $100 million in aid to Palestinians, informing the public about only a small portion of it.

Last week, the administration announced it was providing $15 million to vulnerable Palestinian communities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

A day later, the Washington government informed Congress, but not the public, that it would provide $75 million to Palestinians as a form of economic support.

It is not yet known whether the $15 million intended for the fight against coronavirus is included in the $75 million.

The plan to aid Palestinians represents a major shift from the approach during Trump's four-year term.

The Biden administration does not hide its belief that Trump's approach, which significantly distanced Palestinians from the US, reduced the prospects for peace in the Middle East.

The new US aid appears to aim to encourage Palestinians to return to negotiations with Israel, although there is no indication it will have such an effect, and the Jewish state's response is also unknown.