Republican senator's hold on US funding to Palestinian territories remains in place

A spokesperson for Sen. Jim Risch said the hold will stay as long as the Palestinian Authority continues what has been called the "pay for slay" program, while senators have also introduced a bill opposing the Biden administration's funds for Palestinian refugees.
US Sen. James Risch (R-ID) attends a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on U.S. policy towards Belarus at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on June 09, 2021 in Washington, DC.
Republican Sen. James Risch of Idaho attends a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on June 09, 2021, in Washington. - Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
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Adam Lucente
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A Republican senator has vowed to continue holding up a portion of US aid to Palestinians due to a controversial program that provides payments to families of individuals who kill Israelis. 

“As long as there is any question that additional funds could fall into the hands of terrorists through Palestine’s ‘pay to slay’ program, Senator Risch will exercise his right to hold them,” a spokesperson for Sen. Jim Risch of Idaho told Al-Monitor on Thursday. 

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