New Aid Policy for Palestinians: Increased Conditions and Oversight

The European Union has announced that it will continue to provide financial aid to the Palestinians, but it will impose stricter conditions in light of the recent conflict in Gaza. Despite reports linking Hamas, a radical Islamic group, to an attack that resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the kidnapping of around 240 others, the EU has not found evidence that money sent to the Palestinians has been used for terrorist activities.

However, the EU is taking steps to ensure that its aid recipients are not promoting hate speech or violence. Brussels will be closely monitoring funds totaling 331 million euros allocated for this year, with millions marked for the Gaza Strip. The EU is concerned about reports that some recipients have been involved in hate speech and the “glorification of terror.”

In response to a terrorist attack by Hamas, Brussels has classified 75 million euros in aid for the Gaza Strip as “unfeasible” and reallocated it. The EU is demanding further information from local partners about a further 39 million euros.

The EU sees itself as one of the largest supporters of the Palestinians worldwide, having allocated almost 1.2 billion euros in aid from 2021 to 2024. Around a third of these funds went to the Gaza Strip and two-thirds went to the West Bank. However, humanitarian aid remains unaffected by this review. The EU had recently increased funds to provide for the population in the Gaza Strip, with Germany putting an additional 90 million euros towards this cause and Jordan receiving funding as well. The review for other areas should be completed soon.

Overall, while financial aid continues unchanged for humanitarian purposes, stricter conditions are being imposed on all recipients who may be involved in promoting hatred or violence against any community or nation.