(new: Borrell accusation against Israel)
MUSCAT (dpa-AFX) – According to EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell, an overwhelming majority of EU states reject a temporary freeze on payments to the Palestinian Authority. There are only two or three countries that see it differently, Borrell explained on Tuesday evening after informal discussions between EU foreign ministers on the attack on Israel by the Islamist terrorist organization Hamas. There should therefore only be a review and no suspension of payments for the time being.
Ending support for the Palestinian Authority would be the best gift that could be given to Hamas, and it would jeopardize its interests and partnership with the Arab world, Borrell argued. The Palestinian people are also suffering at the moment.
Borrell did not say which two or three countries were in favor of a payment stop. It is certain that Hungary is one of them.
There was considerable excitement before the ministerial meeting about EU development aid payments for the Palestinians. The responsible EU Commissioner, Oliver Varhelyi, initially announced on Monday that all payments would be suspended immediately in view of the Hamas attack on Israel. A spokesman for the authority first confirmed this. In a press release from the Brussels authorities distributed on Monday evening, it was said that since no payments were currently planned, there would be no suspension of payments for the time being. According to information from EU circles, several capitals had previously called for the announcement to be withdrawn.
According to the Commission, EU aid to the Palestinians is currently primarily used to finance important support services for the Palestinian population and for the autonomous authority. The authority cites the health sector, social assistance services for poor families and development projects in areas such as democratic governance, the rule of law, water, energy and economic development as concrete examples. The United Nations relief agency for Palestinian refugees in the Middle East is also supported.
According to Commission information on Tuesday evening, around 400 million euros of the funds planned for the Palestinians until the end of 2023 could theoretically be frozen. 463 million euros have already been paid out since the beginning of the current planning period in 2021.
Germany is one of the EU states that have so far announced a temporary stop to payments of bilateral financial aid for cooperation with the Palestinian territories. Following Hamas’ major attack on Israel, the Development Ministry is also examining its payments to the UN Relief and Works Agency for the Palestinians (UNRWA). “We will proceed with the review according to priorities and decide quickly as soon as payments become necessary in this area. Because we do not want to risk that the situation on site for vulnerable groups such as women, children or refugees will become even worse,” said one Spokesman for the Ministry of the German Press Agency in Berlin.
The EU consultations were organized on the sidelines of an international meeting in the Gulf state of Oman. Some of the ministers took part in person, others via video link.
Borrell emphasized on Tuesday evening that the ministers had also supported a declaration that was negotiated with representatives of the six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council before the EU consultations. In view of the developments in Israel and the Gaza Strip, this calls, among other things, for the protection of civilians.
Remember the obligations under international humanitarian law, the text says. They also call for restraint to ensure the release of hostages and access to food, water and medicine. In order to prevent the vicious circle of violence from repeating itself in the future, a political solution to the crisis is needed. Both sides continue to support the idea of a two-state solution.
Borrell also specifically referred the evening’s warning to Israel and accused the government of violating international law with measures such as interrupting the water supply, electricity supply and food supply to the Gaza Strip. Even after the barbaric attack by Hamas, one must remember that the right to defense must be exercised within the framework of international law, emphasized Borrell, pointing out that the measures also affect a large number of civilians. “Israel has the right to defend itself, but this must be done in accordance with (…) international humanitarian law.”/aha/DP/he