EU Enlargement Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi announced on Monday that the European Union (EU) will suspend funding to the Palestinian Authority due to the recent attacks by Hamas against Israel. (File Photo by Julien Warnand / EPA-EFE)
Oct. 9 (UPI) — The European Union has decided to suspend millions of dollars in aid to the Palestinian Authority following the recent attack by Hamas on Israel.
Olivér Várhelyi, the Enlargement Commissioner of the EU who hails from Hungary, made the announcement on social media, stating that the payments will be immediately halted, with $728.5 million in development funds being put under review.
In addition to the immediate suspension of aid, budget proposals for the rest of 2023 will be put on hold indefinitely.
Várhelyi emphasized the need to address the foundations of peace, tolerance, and co-existence, and called for action against incitement to hatred, violence, and terrorism.
Last year, the EU provided approximately $316 million in aid to Palestine, and had promised a total of $1.9 billion from 2021 to 2024 for various projects, civil servant salaries, and refugee assistance.
Ana Pisonero, the EU Commission spokesperson for enlargement and neighborhood policy, clarified that the budget did not allocate any funding directly or indirectly to Hamas.
The EU’s decision follows Germany and Austria’s recent announcements to suspend aid to the Palestinians.
In a statement, the EU’s foreign policy head, Josep Borrell, condemned the attack and called for an immediate cessation of violence, expressing solidarity with Israel’s right to self-defense but also emphasizing the Palestinian people’s aspirations for peace.
Nine U.S. citizens have been reported among the casualties of the conflict. Ron Dermer, the Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs, stated that more than 800 people were killed in Hamas rocket attacks, while Israeli officials reported over 100 people taken captive by Hamas. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, 560 Palestinians have been killed and another 2,900 injured.
