US churches say 'No' to Palestinian aid cuts!

The US Senate is currently considering three amendments to a defense spending bill that would reduce or eliminate funding for the Palestinian Authority, Churches for Middle East Peace report. (CMEP) This action comes in the wake of UN action on Thursday to upgrade the PA's status in the General Assembly.

The funding in question includes $370 million for budget support for the Palestinian Authority. This funding is essential to humanitarian programs such as the Augusta Victoria Hospital (a project of Lutheran World Federation) in East Jerusalem. In addition, $70 million would be cut in aid for security programs that have been essential to enabling the PA to police the West Bank and cooperate with Israel to reduce terrror attacks.

CMEP says that without this funding, conditions could quickly deteriorate and further complicate the Obama administration's efforts to bring the two parties together. Appealing to all US citizens they say: "For the sake of peace, these cuts can't happen. These cuts will harm innocent Palestinian civilians. Tell your senator to say no to aid cuts!

Click here to take action now: http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5575/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=12236