Global Geopolitical Series: In relief to PA leaders UNRWA secures $110 million worth of pledging

In a relief to Palestinian leaders, the United Nations Reliefs and Works Agency for Palestine refugees in the near east (UNRWA) has been able to raise as much as $110 million at a pledging conference in New York. This is really good news for the Agency which has been struggling to plug the holes in its 2019 budget as the Trump administration canceled millions of dollars’ worth of funding. The agency faces another $101 deficit that needs to be plugged. The U.S. used to contribute 30 percent of the funding needed.

The lack of funding is now a much bigger headache for the Palestinian Authority (PA) than UNRWA, as the leaders fear an uprising with their own community against years of corruption and misrepresenting people’s interests. 

However, the biggest of issues despite the pledging remains the cash crunch as much of the pledging came in form of promises with payment at a later date.

While the PA leaders might survive in 2019, holding the breath through Trump Presidency which could be 8-year long is hardly an option. We expect the PA leaders wanting to get back to the negotiating table later this year or next.

PA leaders have refused to negotiate with the United States since President Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.