Examining potential assistance for Palestinians residing in the West Bank by German authorities
The Palestinian Authority is currently experiencing an acute financial crisis, leading to concerns about potential instability in the West Bank. In an effort to alleviate this situation, Development Minister Reem Alabali Radovan of Germany has proposed immediate German aid of 30 million euros.
This aid, if approved, would be channelled through a mechanism of the European Union, as previously mentioned. The proposed funds are intended for salary payments in the health and education sectors in the West Bank.
The Oslo Peace Process in the 1990s agreed that Israel would collect taxes and customs in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip and pass them on to the Palestinian Authority. However, the tax money due to the Palestinians has been completely blocked since May. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) has called on the Israeli government to continue passing on the legally due tax money to the Palestinian Authority.
Alabali Radovan had previously urged Israel to pay back the withheld tax money to the Palestinian Authority during a Middle East trip in late August. In addition, CSU parliamentary group leader Alexander Hoffmann calls for clarification regarding the funds, stating that humanitarian aid should be clear about where the money will go.
Experts fear that the Islamist Hamas could gain political capital from a collapse of the Palestinian Authority. A collapse could also lead to further instability in the West Bank, according to Alabali Radovan.
The European Union provides support for the Palestinian Authority through the Pegase mechanism, which is linked to reforms and has rules for controlling the use of funds. Germany will examine additional aid for the Palestinian Authority's budget and discuss additional aid within the EU, as announced by Alabali Radovan.
The Ministry of Development is in close coordination with the Federal Chancellery, the Foreign Office, and the Federal Ministry of Finance. Deputy government spokesman Sebastian Hille states that they are waiting to see what happens in the Bundestag.
Alexander Hoffmann, however, emphasises that projects that threaten Israel's security must be clearly excluded. This condition is crucial to ensure that the aid is used responsibly and effectively.
As a final decision on the aid has not yet been made, it remains to be seen whether the proposed aid will be approved and how it will impact the financial situation of the Palestinian Authority.
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