The Walla news website in Israel reported that in a significant policy shift, the Biden administration has announced its decision to cease funding for research, development, and scientific cooperation projects in the West Bank. This move comes three years after the Trump administration approved such collaboration.
The report stated that the U.S. State Department made the decision to revoke the previouss policy change two years ago. However, it has only recently become necessary to implement the rule due to a grant request from Ariel University.
A State Department official confirmed to Walla that a directive was issued, stating that engaging in joint projects with Israel within territories that came under Israeli control after 1967, is not in line with American policy.
In 2020, the Trump administration, in conjunction with Israel, announced the lifting of restrictions previously imposed on West Bank research organizations. The new agreement was signed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then-U.S. ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, in a ceremony held at Ariel University.
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