Europe divided on aid to Palestine

BRUSSELS (AA) - European countries are adopting different stances on aid to Palestine following a reversal of the EU’s decision to suspend assistance.

Germany decided to review its development and infrastructure aid to Palestinian territories and has suspended payments.

The Development Ministry said in a statement that the issue is currently being comprehensively reviewed and temporarily suspended.

"We are in full solidarity with Israel in these difficult times. We have always been sensitive to the support we provide to the people in the Palestinian territories, which should serve peace. However, these attacks on Israel are a terrible turning point. Therefore, we will review all our commitments to the Palestinian territories," said Development Minister Svenja Schulze.

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told n-TV that humanitarian aid in Palestinian territories must continue.

She emphasized that Germany does not finance any terror groups and collaborates with the UN and NGOs to avoid direct payments to the Palestinian authority.

The Foreign Ministry has provided humanitarian aid worth €73 million ($77 million) to date.

The majority of said sent by Germany is used for food aid and health services through international civil society organizations and the UN.

The Development Ministry had also committed €125 million for bilateral development cooperation with Palestinian territories for 2023 and 2024.

Austria suspended aid projects totaling €19 million.

Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said things cannot go on as before and they are suspending payments within the framework of development cooperation for the time being.

- Many EU countries oppose suspension of aid to Palestine

The French Foreign Ministry expressed opposition to the suspension.

A statement said aid directly benefiting the Palestinian people in the areas of water, health, food security and education, especially through the UN, covers the immediate needs of the Palestinian population and is consistent with France's commitments.

Spain is among the countries opposing the suspension of EU financial aid for Palestinian development.

Belgium has announced it will continue its humanitarian aid to Palestine.

Minister of Development Cooperation Caroline Gennez told Belgian radio Radio 1 that her government is closely monitoring the situation in Palestine, it wants to continue aid and will determine its stance in consultation with other EU members.

Gennez noted that Belgium does not provide direct assistance to any authority in Palestine, and the aid is delivered to the population through local partners. Belgium had committed €70 million to Palestine for the next five years.

The UK, which is not an EU member, has reportedly expressed no intention to cut aid.

There are no plans to end the millions of dollars in foreign aid provided to Palestine through the UN, according to British media.

But payments could be reviewed to align the UK with its European counterparts.

Ireland is among the countries that rejected the decision of the European Commission.

A spokesperson from the Irish Foreign Ministry said the unilateral decision of Oliver Varhelyi, a member of the European Commission responsible for neighborhood and enlargement, had "no legal basis," and Ireland did not support the suspension of aid.

The spokesperson requested an explanation from the Commission regarding the legal framework for the decision.