JERUSALEM. May 4: The United States Is preparing to grant 24 million US dollar In aid to the occupied territories to finance projects for improving living conditions and creating jobs for local Arabs, an Arab-Israeli lawmaker said yesterday, says Xinhua.

In an Interview with Israel radio. Abdul Wahab Da raws he said the US aid plan Is the first stage of a aid package to the occupied territories now being considered by the United States along with the European Economic Community (EC) and some wealthy Arab countries.

Of the 24 million dollar. 10 million are to go to the Gaza Strip and the rest be divided

between Gaza and the West Bank, said Darawshe, who is also the leader of the Democratic Party (DP) 1n Israel.

The Arab member of the parliament said he was Informed of the aid plan when he met in Washington with Martin Indyk, head of the US National Security Council's Middle East desk, during a trip to the United States last week.

He said the United States, the EC and some Gulf states arc planning to Invest tens of millions of dollar to boost the economy and create jobs for Palestinians 1n the occupied territories.