Obama releases $147M to Palestinians

Associated Press

Updated: Apr 28, 2012 12:52 PM

JERUSALEM (AP) — U.S. President Barack Obama has ended a $147 million Congressional funding freeze that shut down Sesame Street and other aid programs to the Palestinians.

An official with the U.S. Agency for International Development said Saturday that the money, which pays for infrastructure, education and health projects, had been restored.

But the official could not say specifically whether Sesame Street would resume.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.

In October, a member of Congress froze $192 million earmarked to the Palestinians as a penalty for their United Nations membership bid. Since then, Congress has released about $45 million.

Obama announced Wednesday he would override Congress and release the remaining funds.

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