The Arab League reaffirmed on Sunday its pledge to establish a $100 million monthly fund for the embattled Palestinian Authority.

In a statement, the League said it had made the move to ease “financial burdens” facing the PA, which has limited self-rule in the occupied West Bank.

The announcement came only a day after the United States released part of its Peace to Prosperity plan for the Middle East and one day before the start of the related economic conference in Bahrain, both of which the cash-strapped Palestinian leadership has pledged to boycott as biased against them and their goal of an independent state.

Washington’s Peace to Prosperity workshop will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday in Manama and led by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar will attend, against Palestinian protests, while Jordan and Egypt are sending only low-level delegates. Israeli officials were not invited, though some Israeli business leaders and media will attend, despite Israel and Bahrain having no formal diplomatic relationship.

The US is touting the conference as the first step in Mr Trump’s peace deal for Israelis and Palestinians.

Organisers have emphasised that politics will be off the table, but Palestinians and critics of the Trump team’s approach have countered that the political situation is part and parcel of fixing the flailing Palestinian economy.

The Arab League reaffirmed on Sunday its pledge to establish a $100 million monthly fund for the embattled Palestinian Authority.

In a statement, the League said it had made the move to ease “financial burdens” facing the PA, which has limited self-rule in the occupied West Bank.

The announcement came only a day after the United States released part of its Peace to Prosperity plan for the Middle East and one day before the start of the related economic conference in Bahrain, both of which the cash-strapped Palestinian leadership has pledged to boycott as biased against them and their goal of an independent state.

Washington’s Peace to Prosperity workshop will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday in Manama and led by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar will attend, against Palestinian protests, while Jordan and Egypt are sending only low-level delegates. Israeli officials were not invited, though some Israeli business leaders and media will attend, despite Israel and Bahrain having no formal diplomatic relationship.

The US is touting the conference as the first step in Mr Trump’s peace deal for Israelis and Palestinians.

Organisers have emphasised that politics will be off the table, but Palestinians and critics of the Trump team’s approach have countered that the political situation is part and parcel of fixing the flailing Palestinian economy.

Read more:

• Kushner's economic plan for Mideast peace faces broad Arab rejection

• Egypt to revive Palestinian reconciliation process

The National

• Tags:
• Arab League
• Palestinians