Israel Matzav

EU cuts direct aid to Hamas-led Palestinian government

The EU has temporarily cut its direct aid to the Hamas-led Palestinian government because it has refused to renounce violence and recognize Israel. But this decision is not quite what it sounds like from the headline....

"For the time being there are no payments to or through the Palestinian authority," said European Commission spokeswoman Emma Udwin.

European Union Foreign Ministers are expected Monday to decide on how deal in the longer term with aid, which is considered vital to keep the Palestinian economy afloat.

"The EU will need to develop some new strategy, some new measures, some new decisions," Udwin told reporters. "While this decision-making process is under way ... we are adopting a policy of maximum prudence."

She said the Commission's decision to halt the aid it gives the Palestinian government did not prejudge the ministers' decision, but noted that Hamas had failed to meet the EU's conditions for continued aid, recognition of Israel, nonviolence and acceptance of existing agreements.

A Hamas spokesman said that the decision was a collective punishment of the Palestinian people.

"We call on the EU not to adopt such decisions and policies, which we consider collective punishment against the Palestinian people, because they exercised their democractic right through elections," said Hamas legislator Mushir al-Masri, head of Hamas' parliament faction.

"We call on the EU to open a dialogue and to build a bridge of trust and civil cooperation with the Hamas government, without any preconditions," added al-Masri.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 4:52 PM