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E.U. Pledges Economic Aid to Palestinians

The European Union is scheduled to hand over an additional $73 million to pay the salaries of Palestinian Authority officials and energy expenses, noting it as solely assistance to the most impoverished Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. After elections that brought a terrorist group to power in the Palestinian Authority, Israel has withheld customs revenue from the Palestinians, prompting the EU to offer the aid package last month.

However, the EU says this future aid is contingent upon the new Hamas government proving that it is committed to peace. Israel has withheld customs revenue from the Palestinians, prompting the EU to offer the aid package last month. Hamas has refused to recognize Israel or renounce violence. It is responsible for dozens of suicide bombings in Israel and is considered a terrorist group by the U.S. and the E.U.

When EU external relations commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner handed over the check to Karen AbuZayed, of the UN Relief and Works Agency, she said that Hamas must fall in line with the international community. "We leave the door open for positive change but at the same time we also have to make clear we cannot go soft on our principles."