EU Blames Israel for Financial Crisis in Palestine

By Cihan News Agency, Brussels
Published: Friday, April 21, 2006
zaman.com

The European Union (EU) refutes the idea that it caused the financial crisis in Palestine by ending financial aid to Palestine when the HAMAS (Islamic Resistance Movement) government came to power, and points at Israel as the guilty party.

The EU Commission, saying the main source of aid extended to Palestine is not themselves, reiterated that only 10 percent of salaries paid to employees by the Palestine government paid to employees were financed by the Union.

EU Foreign Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero- Waldner's spokeswoman Emma Udwin asserted the financial crisis emerged in Palestine when Israel blocked the share of customs revenues that it sends to Palestine.

Israel has obligation to the sending of the $50 million average share to Palestine per month from customs revenues.

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