US gives $150 Million to Palestinians
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RAMALLAH, West Bank: The U.S. has transferred $150 million to the Palestinians, exceeding its original pledge of aid to the moderate Palestinian government in the West Bank.U.S. consul General Jake Walles says Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad asked for the additional assistance last month to help with the Palestinian budget.A statement from the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem says American aid to the Palestinians in 2008 now totals over $700 million and exceeds the amount the U.S. pledged at a donors conference in December 2007.Walles made the official announcement of the transfer Wednesday alongside Fayyad at a ceremony in the West Bank town of Ramallah.The Palestinian economy has been stifled by conflict with Israel as well as internal fighting among Palestinian factions.