EU Warns Hamas Over Palestinian Aid

Al Jazeera reports that the EU would cut funding to a new Hamas-led Palestinian government if it failed to renounce violence and recognise Israel.

Ferrero-Waldner, the External Relations Commissioner for the EU stated,

"The new government's positions on violence, on recognition of Israel and on existing agreements like the (Middle East peace) 'road map' remain absolutely crucial."

While Hamas is receiving temporary funding from the EU, the reiteration that Hamas must renounce violence and recognize Israel puts Hamas on notice. Given that this is on Al Jazeera, it should also put the Palestinian people on notice too.

The intent of this meeting in Salzburg, Austria was to detail the breakdown of different kinds of aid and where exactly the money goes so EU governments could curtail aid to the Palestinian Authority if Hamas does not change its position.

This is another situation which needs to be watched. With the US and Israel withholding funding from the PA and the EU providing temporary funding until Hamas gains control of the PA Parliament, it waits to be seen whether or not Hamas will choose to renounce violence and recognize Israel or turn towards Iran to fund terrorism.

As pointed out before, 58% of Palestinians stated that the solution to the Palestinian conflict should be a two-state solution. Palestinians want to negotiate with Israel for a two-state solution and only 10% believe a Palestinian state should exists over the whole region. We will see if Hamas renounces some or all of its charter and seeks to remain in power or whether it too will be voted out as the PA economy fails. While Iran could provide some assistance, it cannot cover a shortfall from the US, Israel, and EU combined. In addition, Israel now has a entity (the PA Parliament) to attack directly if terrorist attacks continue.

As noted previously, the election of Hamas is truly a watershed event for democracy in the Middle East. Either Hamas will adapt and rule for the people or they will be taken out of power by the people. By withholding funding, the US and Israel are providing the impetus for Hamas to reform. By targeting aid, the EU protects the Palestinian people but also continues to pressure Hamas to reform.

The EU, US, and Israel need do nothing further at this point since Hamas is in a precarious position. It is now a waiting game to see if Hamas renounces violence, recognizes Israel, and begins to negotiate. If not, they too will be out of power, probably more quickly than the next election cycle. If so, we may break through the impasse in the Israel-Palestinian issue for the last several decades.