EU to Continue Funding Palestinian Development, with New Safeguards in Place
The European Commission has announced that it will continue providing development aid to the Palestinian territories, despite concerns over funding being misused by terrorist groups. This decision comes after a recent review of EU-funded projects in the region.
Strengthening Safeguards
To prevent funds from being diverted to extremist organizations, the Commission will introduce new measures to strengthen its safeguards. These include:
- Including anti-incitement clauses in all new contracts
- Monitoring their strict application through third-party monitoring
These steps are aimed at ensuring that EU funding is used for its intended purpose and does not support terrorist activities.
Review of EU-Funded NGOs
The decision follows criticism over funding to Palestinian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with alleged links to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood. Several EU-funded NGOs were accused of supporting Hamas’s actions, leading to calls for a review of EU financial assistance to the region.
The Commission has requested that the concerned NGOs comment on the allegations brought against them and will only process payments once satisfactory clarifications have been provided.
Redistributing Funds
The review also concluded that projects accounting for €74.1 million in funding were no longer feasible due to the conflict. The EU plans to redistribute this money to other projects in the Palestinian territories.
European Parliament’s Position
The European Parliament has recently expressed its position on EU financial assistance to Palestine, urging the Commission to conduct a thorough review of all EU funds in the region and ensure that none directly or indirectly finance terrorist organizations.
In two resolutions passed last month, the Parliament:
- Condemned recent brutal terror attacks perpetrated by Hamas against Israel
- Called for increased funding to support political, economic, and social reforms in the region
- Emphasized the importance of reinforcing the Southern Neighbourhood line in supporting refugees and combating hate and fundamentalism
Conclusion
The Commission’s decision to continue funding Palestinian development comes as a relief to many, but critics argue that more needs to be done to prevent EU funds from being misused by terrorist groups.
Main References
- European Commission Directorate-General for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR), Palestine country page
- Commission Implementing Decision adopting a multiannual indicative programme for Palestine
- Annual action plan in favour of Palestine for 2022
Disclaimer
This article is prepared by the European Parliamentary Research Service as background material to assist Members and staff of the European Parliament. The content is the sole responsibility of its authors and any opinions expressed herein should not be taken to represent an official position of the Parliament.