Ex-UN envoys urge US to restore Palestinian refugee funds

Seven former American ambassadors to the United Nations are calling on the Trump administration to restore funding to the UN agency that helps Palestinian refugees across the Middle East.

In a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the ex-envoys from both Republican and Democratic administrations said withholding funds from the UN Relief and Works Agency will have national security implications for US partners in the region, including Israel and Jordan. The agency faces a major budget shortfall due in part to the suspension of US assistance.

The US has been the top donor to the agency, and last year provided $364 million. But in January, the Trump administration announced it was withholding more than half of its initial installment of $125 million until the agency implements structural changes.

— AP