Palestinian funding from Arab states down 85% in 2020
Sudden fall seen in aid from Arab countries to Palestinian Authority last year, according to data by Finance Ministry
RAMALLAH, Palestine
The Palestinian government's total revenues from foreign aid decreased by 84.9% in 2020, according to data released by the Palestinian Finance Ministry.
The government's funding from Arab countries dropped from $265.5 million in 2019 to $40 million in 2020.
The biggest cut was from Saudi Arabia with 81.4%. Riyadh cut back its $174.7-million-aid to Palestine in 2019 to only $ 32.5 million in 2020.
Worldwide financial aid to Palestine dropped from $538.3 million in 2019 to $369.7 million in 2020.
The sudden decrease was observed amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but also after several Gulf states signed US-brokered deals to normalize relations with Israel, a move harshly rejected by the Palestinian government.
Former US President Donald Trump, known for his pro-Israel policies, had previously asked the rich Arab countries to cut financial aid to Palestinians.
*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz
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