The European Union is temporarily suspending €691 million in development assistance to the Palestinians while the matter is considered by foreign ministers at their extraordinary meeting tomorrow in Oman, chaired by European diplomacy chief Josep Borrell.
In a statement published on social media network X, Commissioner Olivier Varhelyi said that all payments were immediately suspended and €691 million in development assistance to the Palestinians was being “reviewed.” As he emphasized, “the scale of terror and brutality against Israel and its people is a turning point.” “The foundations of peace, tolerance and coexistence must now be reconsidered. Incitement to hatred, violence and the glorification of terror have poisoned the minds of too many. We need action, and we need it now,” the commissioner said in a statement.
Commission spokesman Eric Mamer confirmed the contents of the commissioner’s message some time ago when asked whether it reflected the official position. Because earlier today, at a briefing for correspondents in Brussels, commission representatives said that the issue of financial assistance to the Palestinians would be “reconsidered.”
“The Commission is assessing how the tragic events may impact its current and future development assistance,” spokeswoman Anna Pisonnero said, adding that European funds support essential services for the Palestinian people and the Palestinian Authority, but not are in no way intended for Hamas, which EU declared a “terrorist organization” in 2007.
The EU is the largest donor to the Palestiniansliving in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and the West Bank, ruled by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. The assistance covers basic services, health and social assistance, civil servants’ salaries and development projects in the context of “nation building”. For the Gaza Strip, the money is channeled through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
Earlier, Austria became the first EU member state to announce the suspension of the allocation of 19 million euros to help the Palestinians. Germany also confirmed that it is temporarily “slowing down” the allocation of its own funds and will consider this issue.
The issue of financial assistance totaling €691 million will be carefully considered at tomorrow’s extraordinary meeting of EU foreign ministers in Oman, commission representatives said today.
Priority for immediate de-escalation
A meeting within the framework of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has already been planned, and in the shadow of ongoing events, the main topic will now be an assessment of the current situation and diplomatic initiatives that the EU can take together with countries in the region to achieve “immediate de-escalation” and an end to violence by Hamas, as emphasized by commission spokesman Peter Stano.
For the EU, the priority at the moment is de-escalation, a cessation of hostilities, and the release of Hamas hostages, Stano said, while reaffirming that Israel has every right to self-defense. Asked to comment on the casualties in Gaza as well, a commission spokesman said that “every loss of life is a tragic event.”
European diplomacy chief Josep Borrell, in a statement yesterday on behalf of the EU, condemned “in the strongest terms the numerous and indiscriminate attacks on Israel by Hamas.” Several member countries, such as Ireland, Luxembourg and Denmark, tried to insert a proposal about the need for de-escalation, but Austria and other countries responded to this, Politico reported. The reason is that a call for de-escalation may be perceived as referring to actions and behavior on both sides. The EU, which has traditionally supported a “two-state” solution, has long struggled to manage different views and trends within the bloc.
Strengthening security measures
The EU is expected to specifically support member states raising security limits to protect Jewish communities, a commission spokesman said in a statement, as France, Germany, Spain and Italy have already decided to take such measures amid fears of “attacks” on Jewish synagogues and sites where Jewish citizens gather.
The latest developments in the Middle East will be discussed by the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee tomorrow morning. “MEPs will discuss the latest developments on the ground and the consequences of new hostilities between Israel and Hamas for the stability of the entire Middle East region,” the press release said.
The discussion will begin with a brief report from the committee, followed by presentations by committee members.
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