Irish politicians are among those who have sharply criticised the Trump administration's decision to cut funding to the UN's agency that supports Palestinian refugees.
In a statement issued yesterday, the US State Department confirmed the US "will no longer commit further funding" to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
Spokesperson Heather Nauert called the work of the organisation an "irredeemably flawed operation".
She claimed: "We are very mindful of and deeply concerned regarding the impact upon innocent Palestinians, especially school children, of the failure of UNRWA and key members of the regional and international donor community to reform and reset the UNRWA way of doing business.
"The United States will intensify dialogue with the United Nations, host governments, and international stakeholders about new models and new approaches".
It follows other controversial moves by the Trump administration in the region, including moving the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.
The US has traditionally contributed the most funds to UNRWA, which works to support the estimated five million Palestine refugees.
The agency is almost entirely funded by contributions from UN member states.
Responding to the news from Washington, UN Secretary General António Guterres defended UNRWA, adding that the UN 'regrets' the US decision to cut funding.
A spokesperson for Mr Guterres said: "UNRWA has a strong record of providing high-quality education, health and other essential services, often in extremely difficult circumstances, to Palestine refugees who are in great need.
"The Secretary-General calls on other countries to help fill the remaining financial gap, so that UNRWA can continue to provide this vital assistance, as well as a sense of hope this vulnerable population."
"Flagrant assault"
The announcement was quickly condemned by Palestinian authorities.
A spokesperson for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas described it as "a flagrant assault against the Palestinian people" that was violation of UN resolutions
The statement added: “Such a punishment will not succeed to change the fact that the United States no longer has a role in the region and that it is not a part of the solution.”
Here, Tánaiste Simon Coveney took to Twitter to criticise the 'shocking' decision.
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson called the Trump administration's move 'deplorable'.
She argued: “This decision will have a devastating impact on the lives of many Palestinian refugees as the agency could be forced to cut health care, education and social services."
Earlier this year, around 20 donors - including Ireland - committed to providing extra funding for UNRWA, after previous US cuts left the agency with a major funding gap of around $250 million.