LONDON — For the first time, the European Union has warned of a
suspension of aid to the Palestinian Authority because of deteriorating
security in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
EU officials said Brussels could not approve aid to any entity that was
too dangerous to enable a monitoring effort. They said the torching of EU
offices in Ramallah and Gaza City has endangered plans to provide 500
million euros to the Palestinians in 2006.
Officials said the PA has been unable to protect EU personnel or
interests in the Gaza Strip. They said most EU personnel have left the area,
the exception being monitors at the Rafah border terminal. The monitors live
in Israel, Middle East Newsline reported.
"We are the ones that have provided steadfast help and substantial
support to the Palestinian people, and of course, the Palestinian people
will be the first ones to suffer from a breakdown in law and order," EU
External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said on Wednesday.
"And therefore this has really to stop as quickly as possible."
On March 14, Fatah and Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine
insurgents attacked and torched EU offices as well as the British Cultural
Center in Gaza City. About a dozen foreigners were also held hostage in wake
of a backlash against the Israeli capture of six Palestinian insurgents held
in custody in the West Bank town of Jericho.
On March 20, the EU relayed 64 million euros to the United Nations
Refugee Works Agency. The figure was 50 percent of emergency aid approved in
February in wake of the Hamas victory in Palestinian legislative elections.
In a statement in Brussels, Ms. Ferrero Waldner warned of a suspension
of aid to the PA and Palestinians unless security was assured. She said such
a prospect would not reflect any EU intention to punish the Palestinians.