US withholds $65M aid to Palestine: State Dept

By Muhammed Bilal Kenasari

ANKARA (AA) – The U.S. on Tuesday said it was suspending a total of $65 million in aid to Palestine “for future consideration.”

“It's not being canceled. It's just being held for future consideration,” State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told a press briefing.

Nauert added that $60 million of the aid will still be transferred to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

She said the suspension had no relation to Jerusalem, a contentious issue since early last month when the U.S. recognized the city as Israel’s capital.

U.S. President Donald Trump previously threatened to cut aid to the Palestinians, including to the UNRWA, in response to Palestinian fury over his decision last month on recognizing Jerusalem.