President Joe Biden participates in a CNN town hall at the Pabst Theater in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Feb. 16, 2021. (Photo/JTA-Saul Loeb-AFP via Getty Images) News Politics Biden administration formally resumes assistance to Palestinians with $15 million in Covid aid Facebook Twitter Email SMS WhatsApp Share By Ron Kampeas, JTA | March 30, 2021 The Biden administration formally relaunched U.S. assistance to the Palestinians with $15 million in Covid relief. The money, which will go to nongovernmental institutions distributing medical care and food assistance in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, reverses Trump administration policies of all but cutting off aid to the Palestinians, fulfilling a pledge Joe Biden made as a presidential candidate. By distributing the money to nongovernmental groups, the Biden administration may be able to circumvent laws that ban aid to the Palestinian Authority as long as it subsidizes the families of Palestinians who have violently attacked Israelis and Americans. “This small step in advancing the well-being of the Palestinian people is fully in keeping with American values,” the State Department said in announcing the disbursal. Ron Kampeas Ron Kampeas is the D.C. bureau chief at the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. JTA Content distributed by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency news service. Also On J. U.S. Biden's Mideast policy: Draw Palestinians close, draw Israel closer Israel Biden: ‘ground is not ripe’ for Israeli-Palestinian peace talks Israel Palestinian Authority resumes ties with Israeli government Israel Palestinians get more from U.S. Subscribe to our Newsletter Enter Email Sign Up