Jordan's King Abdullah II is urging the United Nations to continue helping the Palestinians after the United States cut off aid to the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees.
"It would be a terrible mistake to abandon youth to the forces of radicalism and despair," Abdullah told the General Assembly on Tuesday.
"We need to support full funding of UNRWA [The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East] and other vital efforts to protect families, keep communities stable, and prepare young people for productive lives," he said.
President Donald Trump cut off $350 million in U.S. funds for the agency, saying the Palestinians give the United States "no appreciation or respect."
The administration is also troubled that Hamas militants control Gaza.
The U.S. contributed the lion's share of the agency's budget, and cutting off funds has led to a crisis, especially in U.N.-run schools in Gaza.
Abdullah said he will set up a meeting in New York this week with the hopes of securing funds for the Palestinians.
More than 2 million Palestinian refugees live in Jordan.
Abdullah also called a proposal for a one-state solution for the Middle East — one in which the Palestinians would be absorbed into the State of Israel — an "ugly undemocratic reality."
"There is no such thing as a unilateral agreement. It takes at least two parties to make an agreement," he said.
The king said it is up to the rest of the world to work together to help the parties "build a new future."
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