Israel Palestinian Authority receives 400 million euros from the EU

The financially hard-pressed Palestinian Authority in the West Bank is to receive short-term support of 400 million euros from the EU. According to the European Commission, the money is to be transferred in three installments by September and will close funding gaps. However, this is conditional on compliance with reform requirements.

In order to be able to provide longer-term aid, the European Commission intends to submit a proposal to the governments of the EU member states in September for a new multi-year support program for the period up to the end of 2026. It is also proposing to set up an international coordination platform for donors to the Palestinians in the fall.

The multi-year support program should enable the Palestinian Authority (PA), which governs the West Bank, to achieve a balanced budget by 2026.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen combined the announcement of the additional aid with a new appeal to the conflict parties in the Gaza Strip. "We need an immediate and lasting ceasefire," she said. Israelis, Palestinians and the entire region deserved peace, security and stability.

The two-state solution is the best way to guarantee this. The new plans lay the foundations for economic and political stability in the West Bank and create the conditions for the reconstruction of Gaza.

Following the terrorist attack by the Islamist Hamas on Israel on October 7, the EU carefully reviewed its aid to the Palestinians. However, no evidence was found that EU funds had been used to indirectly finance terrorist activities or other unintended things.

According to its own information, the European Union is currently the largest supporter of the Palestinians. The budget for the years 2021 to 2024 amounts to almost 1.2 billion euros.

SDA