US President Mr George W. Bush has asked Congress for an additional $250 million in aid for Israel and the Palestinians.
The funds are part of a $996 million funding request designed to help Israel stop suicide bombings, assist Palestinians with their reconstruction projects, bolster airport security and step up the fight against AIDS.
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According to the White House's Office of Management and Budget (OMB), $200 million from the package is being allocated "to support Israel in its efforts in the war on terrorism".
If approved, the funds would add to the about $3 billion Israel gets from the United States annually in military and economic aid.
About $50 million is being proposed to pay for various humanitarian, refugee and reconstruction assistance projects under way or planned in the West Bank and Gaza by various non-governmental organisations.
The package also contains $200 million for a programme that aims to reduce the transmission of the AIDS virus from mothers to their children at birth. Another £546 million are earmarked to further bolster airport security by purchasing new explosives detections systems.
But "none of the assistance for the West Bank and Gaza will be provided to the Palestinian Authority," Ms Nancy Dorn, deputy director of the OMB, said.
AFP