Europe suspends payments to Hamas
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.European aid to the Palestinian Authority was suspended yesterday, but Brussels remained in contact with the Hamas-led government as it sought other routes to channel humanitarian, health and education funding to the territories.
At a meeting in Luxembourg, EU foreign ministers agreed to a cessation of European Commission and bilateral payments to Hamas, because of its failure to renounce violence, acknowledge the right of Israel to exist or accept peace accords. But the ministers ruled that there should be contacts with officials in the authority, which opens the possibility of finding new ways to deliver cash.
The EU will continue to fund programmes through the World Bank and non-governmental organisations. But direct annual payments worth €120m (£85m) are being frozen.
Ursula Plassnik, the Foreign Minister of Austria, which holds the EU presidency, said there was "no serious move" by the Hamas-led government "towards the principles we have expressed" including the renunciation of violence. Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, said: "European taxpayers would find it intolerable if their money were to be used for terrorist activities."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments