Barack Obama Sends Palestinians $221 Million on Last Day in Office

**UPDATE**

The Trump administration has halted Obama’s last-minute check to the Palestinians.

During Barack Obama’s eight years in the White House, his relationship with Israel was troubled at best. From frequent battles with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to his vocal support for the Palestinians, Obama significantly set back U.S.-Israel relations.

Now, we learn that on his way out of the White House, Obama sent a last minute payment of $221 million to the Palestinians, a move that will surely anger both American and Israeli politicians.

From Fox News:

Officials said Monday that the Obama administration– in its waning hours– defied Republican opposition and quietly released $221 million to the Palestinian Authority that GOP members of Congress had been blocking.

A State Department official and several congressional aides told The Associated Press that the outgoing administration formally notified Congress it would spend the money Friday morning.

The official said former Secretary of State John Kerry had informed some lawmakers of the move shortly before he left the State Department for the last time Thursday.

The aides said written notification dated Jan. 20 was sent to Congress just hours before Donald Trump took the oath of office.

In addition to the $221 million for the Palestinians, the Obama administration also told Congress on Friday it was going ahead with the release of another $6 million in foreign affairs spending, including $4 million for climate change programs and $1.25 million for U.N. organizations, the congressional aides said.

Users on Twitter were unsurprisingly angered by Obama’s parting shot at Israel:

Unfortunately, it appears as though President Donald Trump will be unable to block the money sent to the Palestinians, as it was delivered prior to him taking office. Trump has pledged to strengthen America’s relationship with Israel, and has already promised to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the near future to rebuild our special bond.

In addition, President Trump has suggested that his son-in-law Jared Kushner would lead the administration’s efforts in negotiating a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians, a lofty goal that has eluded U.S. presidents for decades.

Are you surprised that Obama would stab Israel in the back one final time before he left the White House? Share your thoughts below!

Mentioned in this article: