“Support for Palestine”' Demonstration outside the Israeli embassy in west London. Photo: DANIEL LEELE/AFP via Getty Images
The UK is under pressure to freeze aid to Palestine amid a growing international row over donations that could be used to fund Hamas.
Downing Street said that it has no plans to stop millions of dollars in foreign aid provided to the Palestinian territories through the UN after Germany and Austria announced they would stop funding the development of Gaza. The EU also initially said it would stop all funding before it was forced to turn around.
But government sources suggested the payments could eventually be reviewed to bring the UK in line with its European counterparts.
The UK's latest aid payment of £10 million was made to Palestine through the UN Relief and Works Agency in July, followed by a visit by Foreign Secretary James Cleverley to a Palestinian refugee camp in the West Bank.
The European Commission on Monday announced an immediate halt to aid payments and placed more than £600 million of future benefits to Palestinians «under review» amid fears the money could fall into the hands of Hamas terrorists responsible for the attack on Israel. .
Oliver Wargely, EU Neighborhood Commissioner, said: “The scale of terror and brutality against Israel and its people is a turning point. It is impossible to carry on with business as usual.»
But the Commission was forced to rethink its decision after several member states, led by Ireland, objected, saying the money did not go to Hamas.
Demoted to overview
Instead of immediately suspending funding, the Commission announced a review to ensure that «no EU funding will indirectly enable any terrorist organization to carry out attacks against Israel.»
“In the meantime, since no payments are envisaged, there will be no suspension of payments,” the document added.
Josep Borrell, the bloc's top diplomat, said that «a suspension of payments — punishing the entire Palestinian people — would harm the EU's interests in the region and would only embolden terrorists even more.»
Some EU capitals were reluctant to freeze funds to the Palestinians on the grounds that it would punish civilians, not terrorists, responsible for the deadly attack on Israel.
Others complained that the decision was taken without the consent of the EU's 27 member states. who are due to discuss future aid to Palestine at an emergency meeting of the bloc's foreign ministers on Tuesday.
Ireland, which became the first EU state to formally recognize Palestine in 1980, has questioned the legal argument for Brussels to go ahead with the aid decision without the support of national capitals.
A spokesman for the Dublin Foreign Secretary said: “Our The understanding is that there is no legal basis for a unilateral decision of this nature by an individual commissioner, and we do not support withholding assistance.»
The government of Spain, which currently holds the EU presidency, also raised objections to the Commission's statement.
A source in Madrid said it had «caused enough concern» that Spain's EU affairs minister, José Manuel Albarez, had requested a phone call. Mr. Varhelyi to express his “disagreement with this decision.”
Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn said his country’s interim government did not support the move.
“We are the largest donor to Gaza. This help is important for young people. This is not money for Hamas. This is for the people of Gaza,” he said.
Italy said it would continue to deliver bilateral humanitarian aid to Palestine.
Brussels has pledged more than £1 billion in financial support for Gaza and West Bank, both of which are controlled by Hamas, from 2021 to 2024.
German funding ends
Germany previously announced it would end its own support. bilateral support for the territories worth more than £107 million, while Austria has withdrawn its £16 million effort.
On Monday, Labour's shadow minister said aid to Palestine must be increased.
On Monday, Labour's shadow minister said aid to Palestine must be increased.
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Speaking at a side event organized by Labor Friends of Palestine at the party's annual conference in Liverpool, Wayne David said he «would like to see the British Government not cutting its international aid, but actually increasing support for the people of Palestine in this unprecedented situation.» But Mr David was later confronted by Lisa Nandy, a fellow shadow minister. Asked about his remarks, Ms Nandy told a conference event: “ We will always support the Palestinian people. We know that the situation for many Palestinians is one of extreme despair and hopelessness over the stalled prospects for peace and security, and for their children.
“But in light of current events, it is right that the UK believes that how British money is being spent and whether that British money is being used properly or is it being used to support terrorist acts.»
Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, told the conference that members must believe Hamas is terrorists if they want to stay in the party.
Ms Reeves said she had «no time» for Labor Party members to support the Palestinian cause after the deadly Hamas attacks on Israel.
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