European Union resumes Aid to Palestinians
The European Union agreed Monday to unblock short-term aid for the financially struggling Palestinian Authority. But, it remains unclear whether European financing will continue after the new Palestinian cabinet is sworn in. The roughly $144 million in European Union aid is expected to cover just the essentials for the cash-strapped Palestinian Authority. A large chunk is earmarked to pay the Palestinian government's energy bills. An even larger slice will be funneled through the United Nations to pay for things like education, health and social services in the Palestinian territories. Only a small percentage, about $21 million, will go to paying Palestinian government salaries. The short-term assistance from the EU, the Palestinian Authority's largest donor, comes as Palestinian officials are scrambling to find funding to bankroll their government. Israel recently cut off transfers of roughly $50 million a month in tax payments to the Palestinians. And Washington called on the Palestinian Authority to hand back another $50 million in donations.
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