Haley: Arab nations talk big about Palestinians, but don't pay up

Israel Ambassador Danny Danon told the Security Council last week Hamas is solely responsible the escalation on the Israel-Gaza border.

By TOVAH LAZAROFF
Updated: JULY 25, 2018 11:30
Members of the United Nations Security Council observe a moment of silence for those killed in the Gaza Strip on Monday, before the start of a UN Security Council meeting concerning the violence at the border of Israel and the Gaza Strip, at United Nations headquarters, May 15 (photo credit: DREW ANGERER / AFP)
Members of the United Nations Security Council observe a moment of silence for those killed in the Gaza Strip on Monday, before the start of a UN Security Council meeting concerning the violence at the border of Israel and the Gaza Strip, at United Nations headquarters, May 15
(photo credit: DREW ANGERER / AFP)
US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley took the international community to task for failing to put their money where their mouth is when it comes to support for the Palestinians.
UN member states, in particular the Arab countries, are quick to speak volumes about the Palestinians, but are suddenly absent when it comes to writing a check, Haley told the UN Security Council on Tuesday as it held its monthly meeting on the Middle East in New York.
“Talk is cheap,” Haley said.
“No group of countries is more generous with their words than the Palestinians’ Arab neighbors, and other OIC member states.
“But all of the words spoken here in New York do not feed, clothe, or educate a single Palestinian child. All they do is get the international community riled up,” she said.
The United States, she said, which is often criticized for its strong support for its ally Israel, has given the Palestinians “a quarter of a billion dollars every year since 1993,” Haley said.
Haley says of Israel, US has "no moral duty to be neutral" in relation to the Israeli-Gaza conflict, July 23, 2018 (Reuters)
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“Since that year, the United States has provided over six billion – with a B – dollars in bilateral assistance to Palestinians,” Haley said.
She spoke as the United States is under attack for its sharp monetary cutback to the UN Relief and Works Agency this year. It dropped its annual contribution from $364 million to $60 million.
Haley outed countries to have given minimal funds to the Palestinians.
Iran, Tunisia, Algeria gave UNRWA nothing at all in 2017, Haley said.
Pakistan and Egypt each gave $20,000, said Haley adding that Oman gave $668,000.
Arab nations are not the only ones who have been loath to support the Palestinians, Haley said.
China donated $350,000 to  UNRWA and Russia gave it $2 million.
Turkey gave $6.7 million, Kuwait $9 million and the United Arab Emirates gave 12.8 million, Haley said.
“Words at the United Nations or actions on the streets and in the schools of Palestinian communities – which matters more?” Haley asked.
The US has concluded that “judging by the vitriol that is directed toward the United States from the Palestinian representatives” its “support is unappreciated or un-welcomed,” Haley said.
The issue goes beyond funding, said Haley. The Arab country have done little to encourage the necessary  “reconciliation between Palestinian factions.”
They have not denounced Hamas terrorism or supported compromises for peace, Haley said.
“It is time for the regional states in particular to step up and really help the Palestinian people, instead of just making speeches thousands of miles away,” Haley said.


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