The Palestinian government yesterday said it would provide Palestinian hospitals in East Jerusalem $12.5 million to replace funds the United States said it is no longer willing to provide.

Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah said: “It is our national duty towards Jerusalem, its institutions and people,” to prevent attempts to bury Jerusalem’s identity and heritage.

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Hamdallah pointed out that the decision came during a meeting with the directors of the East Jerusalem hospitals at his office in Ramallah City in the central occupied West Bank.

The cabinet decided to allocate $12.5 million to cover the deficit caused by the US’ decision to halt financing of East Jerusalem hospitals.

In September, the US decided to halt $20 million in funds to Palestinian hospitals in occupied East Jerusalem weeks after it announced that it would be cutting all funding to UNRWA and $200 million of aid for economic and social projects for Palestinians.