The ATCA empowers Americans to sue foreign aid recipients in US courts over alleged complicity in "acts of war." Abbas's administration, long accused by Israel of stoking Palestinian militant attacks, worries about such legal exposure. "We do not want to receive financial aid, including aid provided to the security forces, so as not to be subject to the anti-terrorism law approved by Congress," one Palestinian official told Reuters on condition of anonymity. "The US administration was surprised by the Palestinian decision, and said it wanted to find a solution in order to continue aid to the Palestinian security services." The Palestinians have also been boycotting the United States since it recognised disputed Jerusalem as Israel's capital in December 2017.

Source: Dhaka Tribune January 30, 2019 16:18 UTC