Members of Congress are warning PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) that his determination to forge ahead with a unilateral bid for independence, bypassing the negotiating process with Israel, will have consequences impacting American aid to the PA.

New York Congressman Gary Ackerman, who is the ranking democrat on the House Middle East Affairs Subcommittee, said: “If [the Palestinians] are willing to consider putting their future in the hands of the United Nations, perhaps they should think about how much aid their friends at the United Nations will provide to accompany whatever meaningless, one-sided UN resolution they might pass.” He warns that the result may be a total cessation of US aid to the PA.

According to a report in the British ‘The Independent’, Congress in August already sent a stern message to the PA, warning of the consequences of its actions, adding that Congress has already frozen aid for the PA in 2012 until such time Secretary of State Hillary Clinton can certify the PA has halted the unilateral process. The decision has held up $200 million in aid the report states, representing about a third of the annual assistance to the PA.

Congress is now in recess and while no official declaration was made regarding the withholding of funds, the $200 was not transferred on schedule prior to recess.

The White House appears to oppose the move, fearing it will compromise President Obama’s ability to advance US interests in the region. Opponents to the move feel that it will only serve to further destabilize the region and widen the chasm that exists between Israel and the PA.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)