‘We will not be blackmailed’: Palestinians condemn Donald Trump tweet threatening to withdraw aid

Palestinians have lashed out at US President Donald Trump’s threat to withdraw aid, saying “Jerusalem is not for sale, neither for gold nor for silver”.

Palestinians have condemned a tweet by Donald Trump as blackmail, after the US President threatened to withhold future aid payments over what he calls the Palestinians’ unwillingness to talk peace with Israel.

Key points:

  • The US spends around $400 million on economic support for Palestine annually
  • Palestinians lash out, saying “Jerusalem is not for sale, neither for gold nor for silver”
  • Mr Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital last month

The tweet drew praise from a cabinet minister of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing government, but a former Israeli peace negotiator warned of the dangers in cutting off financial assistance to the Palestinians.

Read the article on the Radio Australia news site (Reuters).