Congress unblocks $108 million in Palestinian aid
The release follows months of pressure from the State Department.
![87970134 WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 04: Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) )C) participates in a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, November 4, 2015 in Washington, DC. The committee heard testimony from State DepartmentÊofficials onÊU.S. policy after Russia's escalation in Syria. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2015/12/GettyImages-495632238.jpg/GettyImages-495632238.jpg?h=0f7edc3b&itok=UQjcKh2v)
Congress has released $108 million in blocked aid to the Palestinians, Al-Monitor has learned, allowing payments to the Palestinian Authority's creditors to continue.
Key lawmakers had placed holds on $159 million in aid since last fall, Al-Monitor reported April 18, to protest the Palestinians' UN statehood bid and payments to the families of people who conduct attacks against Israelis. Most of those holds were lifted late last week following growing pressure from the State Department, however, leaving only $51 million in blocked aid.