The European Commission will unblock “before Christmas” the funds planned for the Palestinian Authority that were suspended after the terrorist attack by the Islamist movement Hamas against Israel on October 7, indicated this Friday the high community representative for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell.
“In a few days the Commission will unlock the funds to the Palestinian Authority that have been unlocked since October and the payment will be made before Christmas,” Borrell said in a conversation with a group of media.
In the wake of the Hamas attacks, the European Commission decided to carry out an audit of the financing with which it supports the Palestinians – apart from humanitarian aid, which was not affected by the blockade – to determine if it was diverted in any way. to support terrorism, extremism or anti-Semitism.
The Commission reviewed aid worth €691 million between 2021 and 2023 planned for the Palestinian Authority, the UN Palestinian Refugee Agency (UNRWA), as well as other NGOs, and for assistance projects to the population. The conclusion of the study was that the funds do not contribute to fueling terrorism or extremism.
In Brussels there is growing concern about the situation not only in Gaza but also in the West Bank and the EU Council (the countries) is already working on possible sanctions against Israeli settlers responsible for carrying out violence against Palestinians in that area.
Borrell warned that tens of thousands of Palestinians have lost their jobs and have no income, while 300,000 families have lost jobs that depended on the Israeli economy.
“The economic crisis in the West Bank is one of the reasons to be concerned, not only because of the explosion of violence but also because of the destruction of homes,” he commented, and warned of the “deep economic crisis” that affects young Palestinians. .
At the summit of EU leaders that concluded today, a “strategic debate” was held on the situation in Gaza but no conclusions were adopted, which need the consensus of all countries.
The Twenty-Seven maintain a division of opinions, particularly on the need for a ceasefire in the Strip, as was proven in the last vote in the UN General Assembly, in which 17 member states voted in favor of this measure but two did not. They were against it and the rest abstained.
The resolution, which is not binding, passed by an overwhelming majority. In any case, Borrell made it clear that “concern about the high number of civilian victims” is common.