Biden to announce ¤315 million aid package for Palestine

The President of the United States, Joe Biden, will announce this Friday more than 315 million euros in aid to Palestine to finance a series of initiatives such as improved access to health care or the strengthening of the digital economy of the area.

Specifically, the US president will announce his country’s support for the deployment of a 4G network in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, as well as a series of other measures aimed at boosting Palestinian economic growth, reducing food insecurity or promoting dialogue “between peoples to support peace,” as detailed in a statement by the White House.

Biden will announce, during a visit to Augusta Victoria Hospital in East Jerusalem this Friday, the intention of the United States to provide, on a multi-year basis, a contribution of up to 100 million euros for the East Jerusalem Hospital Network (EJHN).

“The EJHN is a grouping of six hospitals in East Jerusalem that provide specialized services including oncology, dialysis, neonatal intensive care and specialized maternity services (…) The funding is provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and is combined with health system and hospital reforms,” the White House stressed in the brief.

On the other hand, Biden will announce 201 million euros for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), with which he intends to finance the assistance and protection of Palestinian refugees in the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

This contribution, according to the U.S. Executive, consolidates the status of the United States as the largest donor to UNRWA, bringing total assistance during the Biden Administration to more than 618 million euros.

In addition, the White House tenant will detail that Israel has committed to accelerate the “eagerly awaited” transformation from 3G to a 4G network in the West Bank and, from 2G to 4G in Gaza. This move would serve to boost Palestinian businesses and improve connectivity for people in the area.

“Israeli and Palestinian teams will work together immediately to begin technology surveys, with the goal of implementing advanced 4G infrastructure by the end of 2023,” Biden will explain, alluding that the move will create jobs and increase productivity.

Another initiative that the Biden Administration will be seeking to ensure food security for Palestinians by providing 15 million euros in humanitarian assistance for vulnerable Palestinians.

This allocation, to be received by the UN World Food Program (WFP) and two other NGOs, will provide food vouchers, multi-purpose cash assistance, as well as emergency livelihood support, initially helping over 210,000 people at risk of food insecurity

“This funding is part of the U.S. Government’s pledge of additional resources made by President Biden at the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Germany in late June to protect the world’s most vulnerable populations from the escalating global food security crisis,” the White House has detailed.

This Friday, Biden is scheduled to travel to the West Bank to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, to whom he will reiterate the U.S. commitment to finding a two-state solution to end the “Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”