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Arab States Support Palestinian Govt. Despite Economic Boycott

The Hamas-led Palestinian government has, in the past months, had difficulties paying the salaries of its workforce. After education workers in the West Bank and Gaza areas launched a two-month strike over unpaid salaries, the government of Qatar stepped in and agreed to cover the $22-million a month needed to sustain the education workforce. Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya said that it was forced to turn to Qatar for help after the West cut off aid to his government.

Europe and the United States consider Hamas a terrorist organization since its militant wing has been responsible for the death of thousands of innocent Israeli citizens. Western powers began an economic boycott on the newly elected Hamas government and stated that they would only consider renewing aid if Hamas conceded to several demands. Two essential demands were the renouncing of violence and the recognition of the State of Israel. Hamas has emphatically announced many times that it will do neither.

Despite the economic boycott by Western powers, the International Monetary Fund showed that aid was still reaching the Palestinians ? the bulk of which originated from Arab countries. Besides the aid from Qatar, other countries have been channeling money into a special bank account held by the more moderate Palestinian leader, President Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen.