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 JTA D.C. bureau chief JTA Content distributed by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency news service. Also On J. Israel It’s official: Biden will visit Israel, West Bank and Saudi Arabia in July Israel Masafer Yatta: The legal battle over West Bank evictions, explained Israel Israeli police attack Al Jazeera journalist's funeral procession Politics Controversial Texas GOP platform would ‘prohibit’ Palestinian state Subscribe to our Newsletter Enter Email Sign Up