An influential American elected official said Tuesday, January 5, that he would study the resumption of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians, as part of a two-state solution policy desired by President-elect Joe Biden.
In an interview with AFP, the new chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives, Gregory Meeks also supported the return of a Palestinian diplomatic presence in the United States, after the closure by the Trump administration of the office of the Palestine Liberation Organization in Washington DC.
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"I am a strong supporter of the two-state solution, bringing self-determination to both sides, as this is, it seems to me, the only way to guarantee a viable Jewish state of Israel, and a peaceful Palestinian state, and that they can become interdependent in matters of trade, ”
argued Gregory Meeks.
"So maybe we need to revive (the) American aid program for the Palestinians, to show that the United States is ready to be a leader again
," he added.
The Trump administration halted funding of more than $ 200 million in aid to Palestinians in 2018, and also stopped paying to feed and educate Palestinian children, through UN operations.
Both decisions were taken in line with Donald Trump's staunch pro-Israel stance.
His administration was at odds with the international consensus by recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and by supporting the establishment of settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory.
The American president is also involved in the process of recognition of Israel by several Arab states.
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Gregory Meeks, however, dismissed the idea of using the $ 38 billion in financial aid to Israel as leverage for the Jewish state to accept a Palestinian state.
Like Joe Biden, Gregory Meeks is considered one of the most pro-Israel Democratic leaders, within a party increasingly critical of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his shift to right.
This New York State representative, who is the first black parliamentarian to chair the Foreign Affairs Committee, won against Democratic Representative Joaquin Castro, who had promised to defend the voice of the Palestinians.
