The European Union has halted development aid payments to Palestine and is placing 691 million euros ($728 million) of support “under review” after the Hamas terror attack on Israel.
“All payments immediately suspended. All projects put under review. All new budget proposals, including for 2023 postponed until further notice. Comprehensive assessment of the whole portfolio,” European Union Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi said in a post on social media.
Germany also said Monday it was temporarily halting development aid to Palestine as it carries out a thorough review of the financial help after the Hamas terror group’s surprise attack on Israel.
“It is being examined, that is, temporarily suspended,” said a spokeswoman from the Economic Cooperation and Development Ministry. The aid included help for desalination projects, food security, and job creation, and amounted to 125 million euros ($131 million).
The Austrian government also announced that it was suspending development aid to Palestinian-controlled areas, in reaction to the attack.