The European Union decided on Friday to extend by three months an aid
deal that bypasses the Palestinian Authority headed by Hamas movement,
that won the legislative elections earlier this years.
The EU held a two-day summit in Brussels; EU leaders also urged Syria to “respect the Lebanese democracy and stop meddling in the Lebanese internal affairs”.
EU leaders said that the continuously deteriorating conditions in the Palestinian territories justified continuing the World Bank-monitored aid scheme that has funneled hundreds of millions of Euros directly to Palestinians, Israeli online daily Haaretz reported.
France insisted that the EU should take a stronger stance on Syria, which is believed to be backing the Lebanon- based Hezbollah party.
The Quartet committee, comprising Russia, the U.S., the EU and the UN said that aid money will not be transferred to the Hamas-led government unless the movement recognizes Israel, renounces violence, and recognizes the previously signed agreements.
Hamas said that it cannot and will not recognize a country that occupies the people, their land, and carries continuous attacks against them.
