The European Union's executive body said on Friday that the EU has cut off
direct aid payments to the Hamas-led Palestinian government because of its
refusal to renounce violence and recognize Israel.
"For the time being,
there are no payments to or through the Palestinian Authority. I hope that is
very clear." said Emma Udwin, the European Commission spokeswoman.
European Union Foreign Ministers on Monday are expected to decide on how deal
in the longer term with aid, which is considered vital to keeping the
Palestinian economy afloat.
The 25-nation EU is the largest international donor to the Palestinian
Authority, and the cut-off is believed to be meant to put added pressure on
Hamas to yield to international demands.
Udwin said the Commission's decision to halt the aid did not prejudge the
ministers' decision next week, but noted that Hamas had failed to meet the EU's
conditions for continued aid: including recognition of Israel, nonviolence and
acceptance of existing agreements.
She said the temporary cut-off would affect nearly 37 million U.S. dollars of
aid that was planned for release later this year.
