Israel’s Foreign Ministry has pressured the European Union (EU) to halt financial aid to the Palestinian Authority, claiming it encourages terrorism.
In a statement on Friday, the Ministry said it summoned the EU’s ambassador to Israel, Emanuele Giaufret, to seek clarifications on a letter sent by the EU to Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
The Ministry’s Deputy Director-General for Europe, Anna Azari, said her government “utterly condemns and categorically objects to the Union’s policy on the funding of terrorist organizations.”
“The policy essentially grants permission for incitement, support, and involvement with terrorism,” she told Giaufret.
“We demand that the EU immediately end all support, financial or otherwise, for any entities that support terrorism whether directly or indirectly,” she quoted Foreign Minister Israel Katz as saying.
Giaufret, however, said “there is no legal impediment for people to participate in EU-funded activities unless they are explicitly listed on the EU’s terrorism blacklist or formally represent one of the listed organizations.”
He stressed that the EU has “strict rules to screen and vet the beneficiaries of EU funds.”
In other news, Israel’s government announced plans to transfer 800 million shekels ($228 million) to the PA on Sunday, to help cash-strapped Ramallah's efforts to fight the coronavirus outbreak.
The funds will be transferred as an advanced payment on taxes Israel collects on behalf of the Palestinians.
According to Israeli Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon, the payment will be made in installments over the coming months.
He said it comes in response to a request made by Palestinian Finance Minister Shukri Bishara who has indicated a sharp decline in the revenues of the Palestinian government over the coronavirus outbreak.
Bishara noted the government needs support to pay salaries to employees by Eid al-Fitr.
